Karboo, Andah, Hajia Mahama, et al Now Jobless As Akufo Addo Kicks out Ministers who failed to Retain MP seats

Some 10 prominent ministers in the first term of President Akufo Addo’s administration are set to become outcasts, as insiders say the President has vowed to kick them out of his administration for failing to retain their various Parliamentary seats.

Some of those to be ostracised for their woeful performance at the parliamentary polls include Hajia Alima Maham, the Minister of Local Government who lost the Nalerigu Gambaga; Anthony Karbo, the Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways whose Lawra seat slipped through his hands;  Bernard Okoe-Boye, the former Deputy Minister of Health, who lost the Ledzokuku seat in Accra.

Others are George Andah, the Deputy Minister of Communications ousted MP for Awutu Senya West; Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, the Minister of Tourism; Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, the Minister of Fisheries and Barbara Ayisi, the Deputy Minister of Works who lost the Cape Coast North seat.

According to Asaase Radio, which belongs to President Akufo Addo’s Chief Advisor, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, these individuals have been dumped.

According to the radio station, “highly placed sources” in the Jubilee House have confirmed that these individuals have been informed that they should not even think they stand a chance of being given any ministerial role in the second term of the Akufo Addo administration.

Already, snippets of new ministerial appointments have leaked with some fresh faces being named for various ministerial roles, while some of the old ministers are being shuffled to take up new responsibilities.

For instance, the immediate past education minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh will take over from Peter Amewu as the new Energy Minister, while Amewu will be moved to the Railways Ministry.

Opoku Prempeh’s then-deputy, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has reportedly been penned down as the substantive Minister of Education. 

The MP for Okere (Eastern Region), Dan Botwe, is being moved from the Ministry of Regional Reorganisation and Development to take over the position of Hajia Alima Mahama as the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.

The fresh faces reportedly hinted to take up ministerial positions include the former Deputy Chiefs of Staff Samuel Abu Jinapor for the Ministery of Lands and Natural Resources while his colleague at the Deputy Chief of Staff office, Francis Asenso-Boakye has been tipped for the Ministry of Works and Housing portfolios.

Meanwhile, some old hands such as the National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah, the Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul, and the Interior Minister Ambrose Dery will reportedly retain their positions.