Reshuffle: 'Akufo-Addo cannot dismiss family, friends, concubines' – Dr. Pessy

A student of history and politics, Dr. David Pessy is convinced President Akufo-Addo would not sack or dismiss any member of his ministers.

Some analysts and political players have dismissed the recently released list of reshuffled ministers as contrived because of the failure of the President to remove non-performing ministers like the Sanitation and Gender ministers.

Dr. Pessy however holds the opinion that the President would find it difficult to dismiss any of the ministers because of his relationship with them.

He says the preponderance of family, friends and other relations in the government makes it difficult for the President to make any real changes to his cabinet.

“Our President is running a family, friends, cronies, if one listens to the talk on the streets, former and current concubines and girlfriends etc. Anybody who knows anything about running a family business, knows that members of family can only be appointed at the top; family is always only at the top.”

“It is almost impossible to dismiss a member of family unless there is broad consensus within the family that he is letting the team down; in which case he may be shunted aside to some less exposed role,” he stated.

Dr. Pessy also believes the President would face difficulties in firing even some ministers who are not family because they represent powerful interests.

He says any reshuffle would only see new additions and not subtractions.

“Having gone about very carefully selecting people such that every person, every interest is addressed; it’s almost impossible to sack them. If anything, there can only be more additions however disguised,” he explained.