Spio will struggle to work with gov't appointees – Baba Jamal

A member of the majority in Ghana’s parliament, Baba Jamal, has said the country’s minister-designate for Trade will struggle to work with other ministers in the Mahama-led administration because of his infamous “Team B” comment about them.

Dr Ekow Spio-Garbrah, who has been nominated by President John Mahama as minister for Trade and Industry in the West African country, Wednesday told the Appointments Committee that his comments were misunderstood.

The former Communications Minister ruffled the emotions of his party members in 2009 after he described appointees of the former Mills (late) administration as “Team B” following his failure to clutch an appointment.

Although he has apologised for the comment, Baba Jamal, who is also Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, said the apology will do very little to enhance the strained relationship that exists between him and other appointees in the National Democratic Congress government.

“He has apologised but not everyone has forgiven him. How is he going to work with the people he referred to as “team B”, because some will not accept his apology? How can he want to be part of a “Team B” that worked to retain the government that he now wants to be part of?” the Akwatia MP wondered in an interview with the local media.