The President of the Republic of Ghana at any given point is bound by the constitution under article 76 (1) to name his cabinet ministers who per the constitution will not be less than ten and not more than nineteen ministers.
Article 76(2) clearly spells out the responsibility(s) of the cabinet. For the purposes of education, referencing article 76(2), it reads “the cabinet shall assist the President in the determination of general policy of the Government”. This means that, cabinet ministers are of much importance to the government and any such appointee must posses a unique quality needed by the President.
It is also imperative to posit that though the President has the final determination, it is often done having in mind the important roles certain ministries play. In this critical times of climate change and galamsey destruction, it is absolutely unheard of how a ministry such as Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation can be left out in cabinet ministerial list which in fact, used to be part some few months ago under same President.
The reason for such blatant and obvious exclusion can point to one thing ie utter disregard for the occupant of that ministry who is the Hon Dr Kwaku Afriyie. It must be emphasized here that, the Hon Dr Kwaku Afriyie is one of the few ministers who showed depth knowledge and understanding to the ministry of which he has been designated and indeed was appreciated by many if not all.
It is however, not too surprising to some of us because the President over the years has exhibited no confidence in him. In 2017, the Hon Dr Kwaku Afriyie after been appointed as the then Western Regional Minister was reshuffled after almost two years in government. After spending months home, he was taken to the flagstaff house to head a fictitious portfolio of which he was in charge of Galamsey, Health Insurance and Cocoa. Just after few months, he was reassigned to another position which was named State Interest and Government Assurance (SIGA). This position today is non-existing.
Reflecting on the afore mentioned, one can state without any equivocation that, the President doesn’t believe in the intellect of the revered medical doctor hence this treatment. Without mincing words, how can you justify that Hon Hawa Koomson is more knowledgeable than Dr Kwaku Afriyie if not the gross disregard the President has for him? This also exposes the Hon Minister and tells he isn’t that influential as purported to be.
As constituents of the Hon Minister, we are only appealing to the President to have at least a modicum of regard and respect for the seasoned medical doctor going forward.
Sam Jerome
Regional Communication Officer- Western North.
0244043482
