Mills secret list out

With more appointments in the offing for President John Evans Atta Mills, indications are that the next couple of names to be released for the various ministries and departments by the new administration could choke any average Ghanaian, depending on what he is doing at the time the list is announced.

Described as the surprise list of the year, the list is a blend of young and old cadres, plus what National Democratic Congress (NDC) insiders say is a return of the Tsatsu ‘boys’.

Rumours are rife that Alhassan Andani, Managing Director of Stanbic Bank, has been penciled to replace Dr. Paul Acquah as Governor of the Bank of Ghana, while Goosie Tanoh, founder of the National Reform Party (NRP), is tipped to take over Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia’s former position as deputy governor.

Dr. Acquah is scheduled to take his accumulated leave pending retirement.

Tsatsu Tsikata, the sources strongly suggest, has been tipped as Minister of State at the Presidency to oversee the petroleum industry.

The list further appears to be a 180-degree turn from the likes of Sherry Ayittey and Ama Benyiwa Doe, which dominated President Mills’ first batch of nominations, as the President injected names that may meet the aspirations of the forgotten heroes.

Information reaching DAILY GUIDE indicates that Kyeretwie Opoku, General Secretary of the National Reform Party (NRP) would become the next Chief Executive of Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC), while Larry Adjetey, Managing Partner Law Trust is to head the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

It would be recalled that the law firm was headed by Tsatsu Tsikata, and is reputed to have trained a number of crack lawyers including Hon. Alban Bagbin, Majority Leader in Parliament.

Peter Kpordugbe, former Director of the National Service Secretariat is moving to the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) while Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, NDC Deputy General Secretary, is likely to be appointed as Director of the Ghana Free Zone Board (GFZB).

The rumour mill again hints that a leading member of the United Cadres Front, Sam Garba is to go to the National Service Secretariat.

One surprise name on the list of the fresh appointees is Roger Klogo, a successful businessman and CEO of Tanink Ghana Limited.

While sources say he is penciled to become Director General of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), other birds are whispering he may become an advisor to the President on developing home-grown business talents.

Other names strongly on the list for various positions at the port include Anthony Jim Kwame Fugah, Ray A.Y. Anamoo and Seth Amartey.

Jim Fugah, a former Manager at the port and Anamoo, former GPHA Project Engineer, were sacked in 2003 in the wake of the Quay Two Extension project which generated a bull fight between Interbeton and China Harbour.

The Tema Development Corporation (TDC) is likely to be another hotbed as there is a reported lobby between Ms. Mansa Bansa, the incumbent, and Joe Abbey who was said to have been groomed for the job under the previous NDC regime.

A number of defeated MPs in the Western and Central Regions, many of whose instrumentality boosted the party’s fortunes in the last elections, could be rewarded with DCE positions, DAILY GUIDE has learnt.

Observers say the above lineup of young guards will not only shake the state-owned enterprises (SOEs), but also revitalize the depleting cadre base of the party and prepare the NDC ahead of the 2012 general elections.