President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on the evening of Friday, 17th February, 2017 swore in 10 regional ministers into their various offices. This was immediately after the House of Parliament approved their nomination sequel to their successful vetting by the Parliamentary Appointments committee.
During the swearing in of the regional ministers, President Akufo-Addo issued an address which contains several words of admonition for the new ministers.
You Need Humility and Service to Succeed
The president told them that “humility and readiness to serve are the most important ingredients” that will see to their success. He told them to endeavour to maintain a cordial relationship with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and every other public office holders in their various regions.
You Will Be My Representatives
Nana Addo made it clear to the new ministers that they he appointed them to represent him in the 10 regions of the country. He therefore charged them to take up the responsibility of ensuring administrative efficiency at the regional level. According to Nana Addo, they are to be an embodiment of the president’s personality in their respective regions, while playing on the track of the NPP manifesto.
“You are responsible for the coordination and direction of the administrative machinery of your regions. The net effect of these constitutional provisions is that, you are the face and body, the eyes and ears of the president in your regions. You have to project my vision, my values, my policy and my spirit in your regions. These are all embodied in the manifesto of the New Patriotic Party,” the president stated.
Stressing the need for them to to work hard towards achieving the goals of the new administration, Nana Addo urged them to work hard towards revival of the nation’s economy through the delivery of good and honest governance. He pointed out that although their mandate is a very challenging one, the NPP government is determined to live up to expectation and are left with no choice but to deliver.
Just as Nana addo has done with all other political appointees, he instructed the newly sworn-in regional ministers to prove their transparency by declaring their assets as provided by the 1992 constitution. According to him, this is very necessary considering the his government commitment to be honest in their dealings as regards the public purse.
Also See: When Nana Addo Will Deliver His First State of the Nation Address
President Akufo-Addo himself encountered some hitches when he wanted to declare his assets at the Auditor General’s office. But he still fulfilled the obligation despite all odds, since he wants to lead by example.
In conclusion, President Nana Addo expressed his appreciation to the legislative arm of government – the House of parliament, for their cooperation with the executive in the exercise of appointing public officers to work under his administration. He commended them for the speedy delivery of their constitutional duties including vetting and approval of the nominees which has facilitated the early kick-off of the new government’s activities.
Below is a list of the ministers and their regions:
Nana Akufo-Addo since after his inauguration as President on January 7, has been occupied with setting up his administrative crew – appointing ministers, presidential staffers, heads of government institutions, and so on.
The president nominated 36 ministers for the various ministries operating in the country as well as 10 regional ministers to represent the ten regions of the country. The list of the 36 minister-nominees came in three batches of 12, 13 and 11 respectively. Vetting of the ministerial nominees which started on 20th January was completed on 9th February.
Their appointments were all approved and they have been sworn into their various offices. The swearing in ceremonies were held at the Flagstaff House on 27th January, 7th February and 10th February respectively.
In the same vein, the 10 regional minister-nominees appeared before the Parliament Appointments Committee for vetting from Tuesday, February 14 to Thursday, February 16. Their nomination were subsequently approved by the parliament on Friday, February 17.
Meanwhile, the appointment of Madam Otiko Djaba as Minister for Gender, Women and Social was heatedly disputed between the minority and majority sides of the parliament – a controversy which subsequently led to the new minister being sued by two minority MPs.
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