President urges deputy ministers to make a difference
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday urged the newly sworn-in Deputy Ministers of State to perform beyond measure in their assigned roles to facilitate the success for his administration.
He told the Deputy Ministers that their success would only materialise when they gave absolute loyalty to their ministers and work with sincerity, integrity and transparency.
“I am equally involved in your success, for your success vindicates me,” the President said after swearing into office the second batch of 25 of the 50 ministers approved by Parliament.
The Deputy Ministers swore the Oaths of Office, Allegiance and Deputy Minister.
President Akufo-Addo said the Deputy Ministers, should, at all times, ensure that the collective and individual commitments made by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to serve Ghanaians honestly and competently remained paramount in the scheme of things, reminding them that their calling was to “provide public service and not to promote personal gain.”
The President warned that he would not tolerate acts of disloyalty and subversion of ministers by their deputies, saying; “Loyalty to the minister is the fundamental premise for the success of your work.
“I will not countenance any acts of disloyalty or subversion of your minister, for I will take such an act as disloyalty to me personally, and, by inference, disloyalty to the Party and the State.
“Any deputy who thinks the route to advancement lies in your ability to subvert or undermine your minister, will be sadly mistaken. You will not profit from that conduct in the Akufo-Addo Presidency. I want you to work with your minister in all sincerity and transparency. That is the guarantee of your success, and our collective success,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo told them to permeate the quality of their work with integrity and honesty and file their assets expeditiously as demanded by law.
“An opportunity is being afforded you to serve your country in an elevated capacity. Seize the opportunity with humility but with determination and perform; guided always by the Almighty God.
“Together, let us build that dignified, self-reliant, prosperous Ghana that successive generations of Ghanaian patriots and the founders of our free, democratic nation sought with their sweat, toil and blood,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo urged the Deputy Ministers, who also double as Members of Parliament, not to renege on their duties as members of the Legislature, urging them to balance these roles effectively.
He expressed gratitude to Parliament for its cooperation in assembling the Central Government, adding that sincere partnership between the Legislative and Executive Arms of Government would ensure the welfare of the people.
The second batch of deputy ministers sworn into office included Godfrey Dame and Joseph Dinkiok Kpemka – Attorney General and Ministry of Justice; Kingsley Aboagye Gyedu and Tina Mensah – Health; Kwaku Agyenim Boateng, Andy Appiah Kubi – Railways Development; Mohammed Habib Tijani and Charles Owiredu – Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration; George Andah, and Vincent Sowah Odotei – Communications; and Patrick Buamah and Michael Gyato – Water Resources and Sanitation.
Others are Major Derrick Oduro – Defence; Henry Quartey- Interior; Mrs Patricia Appiagye – Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; Martin Agyei-Mensah Korsah – Regional Organisation and Development; Nii Titus Glover – Transport and Bright Wireko Brobbey, Employment and Social Welfare.
The rest are Francis Kingsley Ago Cudjoe – Fisheries and Aquaculture; Kwabena Darko-Mensah – Aviation; Paul Essien – Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs; Gifty Twum Ampofo – Gender, Children and Social Protection; Pius Enam Hadzie – Youth and Sports; Dr Ziblim Barri Iddi – Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts; and William Kwasi Sabi – Monitoring and Evaluation.
Source: GNA