President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday sworn in Six (6) newly Ministers to fill up the vacant positions at the Ministries whose Substantive Ministers resigned.
President Akufo-Addo appointed K T Hammond, Trade and Industry; Bryan Acheampong, Food and Agriculture; Osei Bonsu Amoah, Minister of State, Local Government and Rural Development; Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of State, Finance, Stephen Asomoah Boateng, Chieftancy and Religious Affairs; Dr Stephen Amoah, Deputy Minister, Trade and Industry.
Parliament on the 24th March, after hours of voting approved the nomination of the new ministers appointed by President Akufo-Addo.
Prior to the approval, the Appointments Committee of Parliament during the vetting process failed to recommend for approval on consensus, compelling the House to vote to decide whether to approve or reject these appointed ministers.
The Appointments Committee’s Report was debated on the floor of the House and finally voted to approve all of the new 6 Ministers.
At the swearing in ceremony, President Akufo-Addo who led them to swear the Oath of Allegiance and Secrecy handed to them their Instrument of Appointments.
The President congratulated them for their well deserved appointments and prayed for God’s guidance in the discharge of their duties.
He said in spite of the difficulties in their approval in Parliament, majority of the Members of the House, from both sides of the House believed in their competences and voted massively for their Appointments.
President Akufo-Addo cautioned them to recognised the country’s finances which is in considerable difficulties following the two major events — Covid 19 and Russia-Ukraine war — which has disrupted the country’s balance of payments and debt sustainability profile and further expose the structural weaknesses of the economy.
The country had gone to IMF to seek financial assistance to repair in the short term the country’s public finances and restore the balance of payments.
He said although, their Appointments had come at the last leg of his administration, 19 months to go, he was confident that there is enough time for them to make a difference and significant contribution.
“Your various competencies and experiences and talents make this distinctively possible,” the President told them.
He said their appointment as Ministers should not affect their work as Members of Parliament, taking into consideration the almost balanced of affairs in Parliament.
President Akufo-Addo warned the the Deputy Minister that though appointed by him, he is obliged to assist his boss to carry out his duties “and your primary duty is to support your Minister whiles he undertakes his duties.
He reminded them of their dural role of responsibilities in the legislature and the Executive and that their Appointments to the Executive “does not relieve you of your responsibilities as members of the legislature, especially taking into consideration the nature of this 8th Parliament.”
The President also thanked the Hon. Speaker of Parliament and Members of Parliament for the thorough vetting and subsequent approval of the nominee ministers.
Stephen Asamoah Boateng who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, thanked the President and assured him of their loyalty and commitment to helping him succeed in his vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid.
Rex Mainoo Yeboah, ISD
