There was so much tension in Ghana yesterday, June 6, as aside from the premiere of ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ latest expose, Number 12, some top management officials in key state institution were also asked to step aside.
A news story about an imminent cabinet reshuffle in President Akuffu Addo’s administration has sent palpitations among Ministers, particularly those whose names popped up as likely causalities.
Sources said the news story sent shockwaves in government circles, with jittery ministers making frantic calls to the seat of government, the Flag Staff House and to close associates of the president in order to get their way through in the confusing logjam.
The ministerial reshuffle, including changes in key posts, is likely to take place in the coming weeks after discussions between the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and some prominent persons in his party.
The bosses of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Paul Ansah, Chief Executive Officer of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Felix Anyah, Alfred Obeng of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transport Company BOST and Gifty Klenam of the Ghana Export Promotion Council have all been given the boot with SSNIT and others yet to follow.
The Managing Editor of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, has hinted of a possible ministerial reshuffle.
He already said that the 110 ministerial appointments are not cast in iron.
“Looking into the crystal ball, it [number of appointees] is going to drop,” he said.
But it seems there is still an uneasy calm as a report on otecnews suggests that a high level ministerial and deputy ministerial reshuffle is expected to cut down the number of Ministers from 110 to about 87.
The source also indicated that bosses of SSNIT and others are likely to follow suit. Other sources also say the President is looking for replacement of some of the state companies before announcing their sack. Sources have said Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Chief Executive Officer was saved only because he hails from the Ashanti Region and a key constituency.
It is not conclusive if the President will change his mind or not. Mr Isaac Osei and his boss, Minister of Energy have been in the news over a public disagreement about the conversion of TOR into a Tank Farm.
For the Energy Minister, he is likely to be reassigned, our source suggested.
President Akufo-Addo was widely criticized, both in Ghana and abroad, for appointing 110 Ministers, the largest in the history of Ghana.
But reports say that the President as is characteristic of his ‘listening President’ tag, is willing to eat a humble pie and cut the number to 87, maximum 90. The source also disclosed that while some ministries will be merged, ministers who have faced controversies are likely to be affected.
Source: otecfmghana.com
