Incoming Chief of Staff Frema Osei-Opare brings solid credibility and a track record in public administration to the position she will be occupying under the Nana Akufo-Addo government that will be inaugurated January 7, 2017, Dr Eric Oduro-Osae, Dean of Graduate Studies at the Institute of Local Government Studies, has said.
According to him, Mrs Osei-Opare is a very tough woman who will always insist on the right things being done at all times, a quality that makes her fit for the position.
The president-elect on Wednesday January 4 announced his administrative staff with whom he will begin work after he is sworn into office on January 7. The list includes Frema Osei-Opare as Chief of Staff and Nana Asante Bediatuo as Presidential Secretary.
Francis Asenso-Boakye is Deputy Chief of Staff/Political Assistant to the president while Samuel Abu Jinapor has been named Deputy Chief of Staff. Ambassador Hassan Ahmed is Director of State Protocol, Eugene Arhin Director of Communications at the Presidency, and Lord Oblitey Commey, Director of Operations at the Presidency.
The others are Saratu Atta and Napaga Tia Sulemana as presidential staffers, Brigadier General Emmanuel Okyere as National Security Advisor with National Security Coordinator going to Joshua Kyeremeh. Minister-designate for National Security is Albert Kan-Dapaah and Director of Research is Victor Newman.
Speaking in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson, host of Ghana Yensom on Accra100.5FM on Thursday January 5, Dr Oduro-Osae said: “Apart from competence, the president is also looking at loyalty, someone who will be truthful to him at all times and also someone who is in touch with the grassroots. When you look at the appointments, these are people who have been part of Akufo-Addo’s team for a long time.
“These are highly qualified people who have a solid background. Abu Jinapor, for instance, is a lawyer who has been part of Nana Addo’s campaign for a very long time and so he will deliver as Deputy Chief of Staff. Although Kan Dapaah is a chartered accountant, he is also well versed in security matters, so I think the list suggests a president who is serious about his backroom staff, a president who prefers to make sure that he gets it right from day one.
“My experience in public service shows that if you are a Chief of Staff, apart from loyalty you should also be tough, your record keeping should be solid and with my over 17 years’ experience in public service, I can say that women come tall when it comes to administration because they are very meticulous and if they really want to be loyal and protect you, they will.”
He added: “Again as Chief of Staff, you should have good writing skills, you have to be able to manage the president’s staff. Looking at these functions and the appointee, you will realise that she is fit because she is very tough, has the requisite experience due to the consultancy projects she has undertaken, and so apart from setting a record as the first female Chief of Staff, she brings on board solid credibility to the position of Chief of Staff. Knowing her, she is someone who cannot be bullied, she is one person who can stand on her feet and do whatever she wants to do in the right way.”
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