Dr. Ekow Spio-Garbrah Sworn In As Trade Minister

President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in Dr. Ekow Spio Garbrah as the new Trade and Industry Minister.
This follows a Parliamentary approval on October 2, after the Appointment Committee gave him the all clear.
Dr Spio-Garbrah has come under intense criticism from members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) over comments he made in an article written in 2006 describing the late President John Mills’ Ministers as ‘team B.’
AFAG on Monday called on President John Mahama not to swear-in Dr Spio-Garbrah even though Parliament had accordingly approved his appointment.
AFAGs protest also follows accusations from the Minority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, that Spio-Gabrah lied to the Appointment Committee during his vetting.
But President Mahama went ahead on Thursday to swear him at a short ceremony at the Flagstaff House, ushering in the new Trade and Industry Minister.
President Mahama charged Dr Spio-Garbrah to coordinate Ghana’s efforts to transform the structure of the economy.
He said, “We are looking to add more value to our exports. We are looking to create more innovative means of generating revenue, putting up people to work, expanding industry and manufacturing.
We’ve reached the stage where economic relations in the world are changing….But I’m sure that you are acquainted with all these developments, already knowing the rich background and experience that you have in terms of the work that you have done in the past.”
Dr. Ekow Spio-Garbrah also assured the President that he will put in his optimum best to ensure the realization of the nation’s goals.
“I can assure you that with the somewhat limited time that we have in this first term under your leadership, while awaiting the second term of your leadership, Mr President, we shall do what we can to advance fully the agenda that you’ve set so that people of Ghana will see that they are indeed leaving under a better Ghana agenda,” he said.