First batch deputy Ministers sworn in

By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 17 March 2009

The President, John Evans Atta Mills yesterday swore into office the first batch of five deputy Ministers with a charge to them to work for the good of the country.

Also sworn in were three Ministers of State at the Presidency

The deputy Ministers are Mrs. Elizabeth Amoah-Tetteh and Dr. Joseph Annan, both for Education, Dr Kwabena Donkor and Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, both for Energy, and Seth Emmanuel Terkper for Finance.

Those sworn in as Ministers of State at the Presidency are Alhaji Seidu Amadu, Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo and Kwajo Tawiah Likpalimor.

President Mills, after swearing them in at the Castle, Osu in Accra, admonished the deputy ministers against undermining their Ministers, and rather assist them to undertake the mandates of the respective Ministries.

He said the credit would go to the deputy ministers as well if their Ministers were able to achieve their goals, saying “we are here to work as a team.”

President Mills also cautioned the Ministers of State against abuse of office.

He said the fact that they would be operating from the Castle, does not make them superior over other Ministers working outside the Castle, and therefore urged them to collaborate and work together towards advancing the welfare of Ghanaians.

The President reiterated the need for them to be humble and honest, reminding them that being a Minister was not a right but a privilege which they should take advantage of to promote the welfare of the people in accordance with the mission and vision of the government.

Brigadier-General (Rtd) Nunoo Mensah, National Security Advisor, sharing his experience with the ministers, asked them to be focused on addressing the problems of poverty confronting the lot of Ghanaians, and to avoid the temptation of amassing wealth.

Alhaji Seidu Amadu, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, thanked the President for the opportunity offered them to serve in his administration.

“We shall do all that is possible to in our individual capabilities and collective responsibility to assist you to achieve your goal of building a better Ghana,” he said.