The twenty five newly sworn in deputy ministers have pledged to work diligently to justify the confidence reposed in them by president Akufo-Addo.
Speaking Wednesday on behalf of his colleagues after they were sworn in, deputy Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said they were aware of the criticism that greeted their appointment and that they would do everything in their capacity to vindicate the president’s decision.
He said: “On behalf of my colleagues; the newly sworn in deputy ministers, I express our profound gratitude to Mr. President for the honour and privilege of appointing us to serve in his government. It is indeed an honour to be identified from these large pool of talent available to assist the honourable ministers in the performance of their functions and for the efficient running of the state.”
He added “We have sworn the various oaths as required by the constitution and beyond that we commit ourselves to work diligently and faithfully to justify the confidence and honour reposed in us.
“Mr. President as you have required of us, we will work with loyalty to our superiors and to the state. We will work with honesty and competence to provide public service and not to our personal gain.
“For those who are members of parliament, we will be minded by the twin responsibilities of that you have reminded us of this morning. We are cognizance of the criticisms that is associated to our appointments and Mr. President we will work to vindicate your decision.”
In all, 25 deputy ministers were sworn in. They include deputies of the following ministries: Finance, Energy, Local Government and Rural Development; Information, Food and Agriculture as well as Trade and Industry. They were sworn in at the Flagstaff House on Wednesday 12 April.
The others include Roads and Highways, Lands and Natural Resources, Works and Housing and Education.
Speaking after the swearing in ceremony, Akufo-Addo urged the deputy ministers to work to shame their critics, saying he would not countenance any acts of sabotage.
“I will not countenance any acts of disloyalty or subversion of your Minister, for I will take such an act as disloyalty to me, and, by inference, disloyalty to the Party and the State. Any deputy who thinks the route to advancement lies in your ability to subvert or undermine your Minister, will be sadly mistaken. You will not profit from that conduct in Akufo-Addo’s presidency.”
