President Akufo-Addo swears regional ministers into office

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo last Friday swore in 10 regional ministers and tasked them to provide good and honest governance, create jobs, especially for the youth, and generate prosperity for the people of Ghana.

He was emphatic in stating their responsibilities, saying “you are responsible for the coordination and direction of the administrative machinery of your regions. The net effect of these constitutional arrangements in your regions is that, you are the face and body, the eyes and ears of the President in your region.”

The ministers are Archibald Yao Letsa for the Volta Region; Salifu Saeed, Northern; Rockson Ayini Bukari, Upper East; Alhassan Sulemana, Upper West; Kwaku Asuma Kyeremeh, Brong Ahafo; Simon Osei Mensah, Ashanti; Kwaku Afriyie, Western; Kwamena Duncan, Central; Eric Kwakye Darfour, Eastern, and Ishmael Ashitey for the Greater Accra Region.

Project my vision

Their mandate, the President said, was to “protect and project my vision, my values, my policy and my spirit in your region.”

“You know my resolve is to provide good and honest government for our people, which will enable our economy to recover and grow rapidly to create jobs, especially for our young people and to generate prosperity for the mass of our people in conditions of freedom and responsibility,” he stressed.

The President described their responsibilities as a tall order but added that the “one decisive, emphatic mandate that we the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and I received on December 7, 2016 obliges us to deliver; we have no other choice.”

He asked for their full support and cooperation in delivering on that mandate, saying “the quality of your relations with those whom you work will determine your ability to succeed.”

Readiness to serve

President Akufo-Addo said humility and the readiness to serve were the most important ingredients that would guarantee their successes.

He advised them to, as soon as possible; declare their assets in line with constitutional requirements.

“We have given a pledge to our people that we would be honest in our dealings with the public purse entrusted to our care and we have to live up to it. That is why I am complying with the requirement in our manifesto that I notify the auditor-general within 14 days of the names of all article 71 office holders such as yourselves, of their appointments.

The President also thanked Parliament and its leadership for the speedy manner in which they were fulfilling their constitutional duty in approving his nominees.

He said “It is a good demonstration of the spirit of cooperation of the executive, which I want to make a hallmark of my Presidency.”

Writer’s email: victor.kwawukume@graphic.com.gh