I was surprised over exclusion from ministerial position in Akufo-Addo's second term - Atta Akyea

Former Minister for Works and Housing and Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South Constituency in the Eastern Region, Mr Samuel Atta Akyea, has revealed his surprise at being sidelined for a ministerial position in President Nana Akufo-Addo’s second term.

Mr. Atta Akyea, who served as Minister of Works and Housing and a cabinet minister from 2017 to 2020 during President Akufo-Addo's first term, was left out of the ministerial appointments when the President formed his second-term government in 2021.

Speaking in an interview with Kwame Dwomoh Agyemang, host of the Class Morning Show, Mr. Atta Akyea disclosed that the President did not provide any explanation for his decision, leaving him stunned by the omission.

"You can never force yourself on a president to put you in his cabinet. I didn’t want to say I was peeved; I was really surprised," he stated.

Mr. Atta Akyea expressed that he expected at least the courtesy of being informed about the decision, given his longstanding relationship with the President both professionally and personally.

"At least, the due courtesy of informing me that, 'Atta, because of one reason or the other, I cannot sign you up again,' given the family relations and also the professional relationship. I was surprised that I wasn’t even informed about it,” he added.

Despite his surprise, Mr. Atta Akyea, who currently serves as the Chairman of the Energy Committee in Parliament, stressed that he holds no grudges against President Akufo-Addo and has accepted the decision in good faith.