President John Dramani Mahama has sworn into office his first batch of ministers with a challenge to them to serve in humility and candour.
They are Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, MP for Ajumako Enyan Esiam; Finance, John Abdulai Jinapor, MP, Yapei/Kusawgu, Energy and Green Transition and Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, MP, Bolgatanga East, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
The rest are Governs Kwame Agbodza, MP, Adaklu; Roads and Highways, Eric Opoku, Asunafo South; Food and Agriculture and Haruna Iddrisu, Tamale South; Education.
The six took their oaths of allegiance, oath of office and oath of secrecy as administered by the President at the Jubilee House in Accra yesterday and were presented with their Instruments of Appointment.
The ministers swore to “bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic of Ghana” and “at all times well and truly serve the Republic of Ghana”.
Swearing them in, President Mahama said his government was committed to fixing the “parlous state” of the Ghanaian economy.
“So much needs to be done in a short time and I assure the people of Ghana that this government will rise to the challenge and reset our country,” the President stated.
According to him, Ghanaians have through their votes declared their intention to demand the highest standards of governance and that this naturally puts a burden of responsibility on the appointees which they must prove equal to.
“Ghanaians have shown that the days of tolerance for disrespectful gas lighting by government officials are well and truly over,” the President said.
“I therefore charge you to serve in humility and candour, always remembering that we serve at the pleasure of the Ghanaian people and that the authority we exercise emanates from them.”
Appointees of the government, President Mahama said must exhibit tolerance for the views of the Ghanaian people and work to meet their aspirations.
“This government will not tolerate arrogance or disrespect for the people who elected us into office. Modesty and prudence must be the guiding principle upon which you, myself and our vice president fashion our governance.
“The people of Ghana would hold us accountable for the trust that they have placed in our hands. It cannot be business as usual,” he stressed.
President Mahama said the anti-corruption institution of state would be empowered to investigate and deal with any appointee who falls foul of the law.
On behalf of the appointees, the Finance Minister, Dr Forson said they would give off their best to make life better for Ghanaians.
“Mr President, we have taken a cue from (your admonishment). We want to assure you that we will serve to make you the best president of the Fourth Republic.
“We are aware of the state of our economy, the energy, agricultural and education sectors, the justice system and we assure you that as we start work, we’ll begin the process to reset the country together with you and your team,” Dr Forson assured
JULIUS YAO PETETSI
