Power, they say is transient. That appears to be the lesson learnt by these 41 personalities who were very powerful in Akufo-Addo’s first term government (2017 to 2021) when they variously served as Ministers and Deputies Ministers for years ranging between 1 and 4.
The list of 41 compiled by MyNewsGh.com covers sitting and defeated MPs as well as non-MPs who are no longer enjoying the privilege of their previous positions or similar.
Prior to the 2020 elections, MyNewsGh.com understands President Akufo-Addo warned his Ministers and Deputy Ministers who were sitting Members of Parliament that they risked being booted out of his government in a second term if they failed to maintain their seats.
The President has largely kept his word with only a few exceptions, one being Hajia Alima Mahama who is Ghana Ambassador to the US designate although she was totally disgraced in the 2020 elections as Minister of Local Government and Rural Development. She garnered 28,638 as against NDC first-timer Alhaji Issifu Baba who polled 34,045 votes.
Out of the list of 41 “unemployed” former Ministers and Deputy Ministers, some are still serving Members of Parliament who managed to win their seats but appear to be out of favour with the inner caucus of Akufo-Addo and Bawumia.
Example include Bryan Acheampong who is MP for Abetifi and was Deputy Minister for Interior. Others include former Railways Minister Joe Ghartey who managed to win the Essikado seat under controversial circumstances but was booted out of government nevertheless; and Isaac Asiamah who re-won Atwima Mponua but saw NDC sharply close the NPP 2016 votes gap.
In the case of Joe Ghartey, MyNewsGh.com understands his sack from government is allegedly linked to his early “announcement” of his NPP flagbearer ambition. There is fear any position could be used by him to build a campaign war chest while Isaac Asiamah’s boot hinges on alleged incompetence and poor relationship management.
Shipping agent turned politician Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah who won the Tema West seat signed himself out of Akufo-Addo’s second term when he bolted with, and chewed ballot papers on the midnight of January 7th, 2021 during the election of the Speaker of Parliament.
Among the list compiled, MyNewsGh.com has been made aware that Perry Okudzeto will be deputizing at the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) where former Zongo Minister Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid is fighting tooth and nail to ward of emerging competition to his territory. Although Dr. Hamid has been penciled as the CEO, interests in the place is growing and “anything could happen”, an insider told MyNewsGh.com. According to the insider, just as Herbert Krapa who was earlier penciled as NPA Deputy CEO found himself as Deputy Trade Minister designate last-minute, it is possible appointments could “shift dramatically”.
Pius Enam Hadzide is bound for the National Youth Authority where the rots of the Francisca Oteng-led Board awaits him.
Rumours has it that First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo is “sweet-talking” her husband into finding a comfortable settlement for her populist Ledzokuku ‘darling boy’, Dr. Oko Boye. While he is expected to be maintained on the KorleBu Board as Chair, something is cooking.
Other people on the list are seriously lobbying for various state placements as the president pleases.
The list excludes Regional Ministers.
The following is the list
- Bryan Acheampong – Former Interior Minister, was Minister of State before that.
- Isaac Asiamah – Former Sports Minister
- Samuel Atta Kyea – Former Works and Housing
- Elizabeth Afoley Quaye – Former Minister of Fisheries
- Kofi Adda – Former Aviation Minister
- George Andah – Former Deputy Communication Minister
- Barbara Asher Ayisi – Former Deputy Works and Housing Minister
- Alhaji Abdul Sadiq Boniface – Former Minister of State, Vice Presidency; Zongo Minister
- Dr. Bernard Oko Boye – Former Deputy Health Minister
- Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover – Former Deputy Transport Minister
- Yaw Afful – Deputy Aviation Minister
- Patricia Apiagyei – Former Deputy Minister Environment, Science and Technology
- Catherine Afeku – Former Deputy Tourism Minister
- Kpemka Joseph – Former Deputy AG
- Pius Enam Hadzide – Former Deputy Information Minister
- Perry Okudzeto – Former Deputy Minister, Youth and Sports
- Anthony Abayifaa Karbo – Former Deputy Minister Roads and Highways
- Prof Kojo Yankah – Former Minister of State
- Dr. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng – Former MEST, anti-galamsey taskforce
- Joe Ghartey – Former Railway Minister
- Mustapha Abdul Hamid – Former Zongo Minister
- Kingsley Carlos Ahenkorah – Former Trade and Industry Minister
- Kwaku Kwarteng – Former Deputy Finance Minister
- Robert Ahomka Lindsay – Former Deputy Trade Minister
- Major (Rtd) Derrick Oduro – Former Deputy Defence Minister
- Joseph Cudjoe – Former Deputy Energy Minister
- Gloria Akuffo – Former AG
- Williams Quaitoo – Former Deputy Agric Minister –resigned
- Barbara Oteng Gyasi – Former Tourism Minister
- Kwabena Owusu Aduomi – Former Deputy Roads and Highways Minister
- Sabre Bambangi – Deputy Agric Minister
- George Oduro – Former Deputy Agric Minister
- Benito Owusu Bio – Former Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
- Michael Yaw Gyato – Deputy Minister for Water Resources
- Francis Kingsley Cudjoe – Former Deputy Fisheries Minister
- Odotei Sowah – Former Deputy Communication Minister
- Paul Essien – Deputy Minister Chieftaincy
- Alexander Abban – Former Deputy Communications Minister
- Kwabena Owusu Aduomi – Former Deputy Roads Minister
- Cynthia Morrison – Former Gender Minister
- Hajia Alima Mahama – Former Local Government Minister
Source: Mynewsghana
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