Guard against arrogance - President tells appointees

President John Dramani Mahama has advised ministers of state and other government appointees to guard against arrogance and serve the people in humility and modesty.

“Too many people have complained of arrogance in some of our appointees. We need to remember that we serve at the pleasure of our people," he said. 

President Mahama gave the advice when he swore in newly appointed ministers and deputy ministers of state at the Flagstaff House, Kanda in Accra yesterday.

The Ministers of State

They are Mr Alexander Segbefia, Minister of Health; Mr Peter Anarfi-Mensah, Ashanti Region, and Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.

The rest are Mr Samuel Yaw Adusei, Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, and Mr Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, Deputy Minister of Defence.

They took the oaths of allegiance, secrecy and office administered by the President, who later presented them with their instruments of office.

Mr Mahama said anyone who was appointed to a public office must see it as an opportunity to serve the people and contribute to national transformation and development. 

“In that sense, they must endeavour to be humble and modest in their undertakings,” he added. 

Reshuffling 

The President explained that the reshuffling of ministers formed part of efforts by the government to change the face of its administration.

He reminded the ministers that the positions they occupied were not their property, saying, "We serve at the pleasure of the people of Ghana.”

"Just as you have been appointed today, tomorrow you could be removed or shifted elsewhere. You should always remember that the office belongs to the people of Ghana and not to us," he told the appointees.

Mr Mahama said the government would review the management of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to bring efficiency into the system to bring some positive effects on the lives of the people.

“We need to bring greater efficiency into these institutions which interface directly with our citizens,” he said.

Great expectation 

Congratulating the new ministers and deputy ministers on their appointment, President Mahama said much was expected of them.

“I expect you to go straight to business. You are required to do your best to the best of your ability and be focused on how you can change the lives of our people,” he told them.

Response 

On behalf of his colleagues, Mr Segbefia thanked the President for the confidence reposed in them and promised that they would not fail him, the government and the people of Ghana.