From top left: Nana Ama Dokua, Carlos Ahenkorah, Robert Ahomka Lindsay, Barbara Oteng Gyasi
President Akufo-Addo’s deputy ministerial nominees will finally be announced today as the list makes its way to parliament this morning.
The deputy ministers’ list is long overdue and it was virtually stalled by intense lobbying as parliament signals its intention to go on Easter recess by the end of the month.
Last Friday, minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, trumpeted that the non-release of the deputy ministerial list doesn’t show that the president is in a hurry as stated by President Akufo-Addo during his state of the nation address.
But now the list has been compiled and the president met the nominees last night to formally inform them about their inclusion.
Some of the names on the list are Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, MP for Ofoanse Ayirebi; Perry Okudzeto, Deputy Director of Communications of the NPP and Nana Ama Dokua, MP for Akropong, Deputy Ministers of Information; Carlos Ahenkrah, MP for Tema West and Robert Ahomka Lindsay, former GIPC Chief Executive for Trade and Industry; Charles Adu-Boahen, a grandson of the late Prof Albert Adu Boahen and Kwaku Kwarteng, Obuasi West MP, for Finance; Titus Glover, MP for Tema East, for Transport; Dr Mohammed Amin Anta and Kobby Okyere Darko-Mensah, MP for Takoradi for Energy and OB Amoah, MP for Akuapem South, Nana Adjei Boateng, MP for New Juabeng North and Collins Ntim, MP for Offinso North, for Local Government.
Charles Owiredu, NPP Director of International Affairs and Habib Tijani, MP for Yendi Deputy Foreign Ministers; Anthony Karbo, MP for Lawra and Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, MP for Ejisu Juaben Road; Neenyi Kojo Andah, MP for Awutu West, Communications and Gofred Yeboah Dame Deputy Attorney-General.
The full list of about 50 deputy ministers, mostly from parliament with adequate regional balance, will be presented to parliament.
Even before the much awaited announcement, various interest groups and individuals had lobbied for their preferred choice of candidates.
Information gathered by DAILY GUIDE indicates that pressure was brought to bear on the president to appoint certain individuals to some ministries as deputy ministers.
Substantive ministers and the Acting General Secretary of the party, John Boadu, were equally not spared the pressure, receiving piles of curriculum vitae each passing day, with the NPP headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra almost becoming a constant sight of brown envelop-wielding party faithful looking for jobs.
Some of the lobbying were done by not only chiefs, but also key and influential members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), to get their favourites appointed.
Most of these persons have been frequenting the presidency on regular basis just to catch the eyes of President Akufo-Addo, the Chief of Staff and other influential party gurus.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu