Osafo-Maafo To Be Fired?

... Another Cabinet "Musical Chairs" Speculation
Halfway through President Kufuor’s four-year term of office, a Chronicle source close to the Castle has hinted that there is going to be a cabinet reshuffle very soon.

The reshuffle, which will be the second by the president, is considered long overdue by political pundits. It is believed that it is time for the president to determine whether ministers have significantly contributed positively towards the upliftment of their ministries. There are many ministers who are percieved to be going through the motions and have run out of fresh initiatives to move their sectors forward.

Chronicle intelligence had gathered that the Minister of Finance, Hon. Osafo Marfo, might be relieved of his post. Hon. Joseph Henry Mensah, Senior Minister, head of Government Economic Team, or Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Economic Planning and Regional Integration Ministry may go to the Finance Ministry, which is considered as the hottest ministry.

It is also anticipated that Hon. Hackman Owusu Agyeman may be moved from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Office of The President. Nana Akufo-Addo may end up at the Foreign Affairs Ministry while Gloria Akufo, the deputy Attorney General, may be made the Attorney General or one senior lawyer, Mr. Z. B. Zwennes may take over from Nana Akufo-Addo.

The source also revealed that Hon. Apraku the Minister of Trade and Industry, might be dropped, with Hon. Kwamina Bartels taking over from him. Hon. Apraku may be destined to the Tourism Ministry. Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor would be maintained at the Defence Ministry whiles.

There are impending hints that the Minister of Youth and Sports Mr. Osei Kweku might be shifted to the Office of the President while his deputy Mr. Joe Aggrey may take over.

The chief reason for carrying out a reshuffle must be to inject efficiency in government. Reshuffles if they must be carried out must be done quickly and not held like a “Sword of Damocles” over the heads of appointees.

It is believed that continued speculation about reshuffles can affect the confidence and output of office holders. As the President said during the People’s Assembly last week, he has the only prerogative to hire and fire and the decision to reshuffle or not to re-shuffle is his and his alone.

There is speculation that the President’s cold feet to reshuffling is attributable to the fact that many of the ministers are friends or cronies, and that many of them were generous and supportive during his years in the political wilderness.

He may therefore owe political favours and therefore has difficulty relieving them of their positions even in the face of non-performance. But two years in high political office is more than enough compensation for any favours owed.

Moreover it is believed that the delay in the reshuffle is due to the fact that majority of ministers are drawn from Parliament. Of the almost 77 ministers, more than 50 are from Parliament.

Any lack of care in reshuffling them could create rebels on the majority benches of Parliament. With government’s slim majority in the House, this would be a dire prospect

... Another Cabinet "Musical Chairs" Speculation
Halfway through President Kufuor’s four-year term of office, a Chronicle source close to the Castle has hinted that there is going to be a cabinet reshuffle very soon.

The reshuffle, which will be the second by the president, is considered long overdue by political pundits. It is believed that it is time for the president to determine whether ministers have significantly contributed positively towards the upliftment of their ministries. There are many ministers who are percieved to be going through the motions and have run out of fresh initiatives to move their sectors forward.

Chronicle intelligence had gathered that the Minister of Finance, Hon. Osafo Marfo, might be relieved of his post. Hon. Joseph Henry Mensah, Senior Minister, head of Government Economic Team, or Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Economic Planning and Regional Integration Ministry may go to the Finance Ministry, which is considered as the hottest ministry.

It is also anticipated that Hon. Hackman Owusu Agyeman may be moved from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Office of The President. Nana Akufo-Addo may end up at the Foreign Affairs Ministry while Gloria Akufo, the deputy Attorney General, may be made the Attorney General or one senior lawyer, Mr. Z. B. Zwennes may take over from Nana Akufo-Addo.

The source also revealed that Hon. Apraku the Minister of Trade and Industry, might be dropped, with Hon. Kwamina Bartels taking over from him. Hon. Apraku may be destined to the Tourism Ministry. Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor would be maintained at the Defence Ministry whiles.

There are impending hints that the Minister of Youth and Sports Mr. Osei Kweku might be shifted to the Office of the President while his deputy Mr. Joe Aggrey may take over.

The chief reason for carrying out a reshuffle must be to inject efficiency in government. Reshuffles if they must be carried out must be done quickly and not held like a “Sword of Damocles” over the heads of appointees.

It is believed that continued speculation about reshuffles can affect the confidence and output of office holders. As the President said during the People’s Assembly last week, he has the only prerogative to hire and fire and the decision to reshuffle or not to re-shuffle is his and his alone.

There is speculation that the President’s cold feet to reshuffling is attributable to the fact that many of the ministers are friends or cronies, and that many of them were generous and supportive during his years in the political wilderness.

He may therefore owe political favours and therefore has difficulty relieving them of their positions even in the face of non-performance. But two years in high political office is more than enough compensation for any favours owed.

Moreover it is believed that the delay in the reshuffle is due to the fact that majority of ministers are drawn from Parliament. Of the almost 77 ministers, more than 50 are from Parliament.

Any lack of care in reshuffling them could create rebels on the majority benches of Parliament. With government’s slim majority in the House, this would be a dire prospect