Professor Ransford Gyampo from the University of Ghana expressed dissatisfaction with the recent ministerial reshuffle conducted by President Akufo-Addo, describing it as a ‘last-minute’ decision.
Speaking on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, February 17, Professor Gyampo criticized the timing of the changes, stating that it did not align with any conceptual frameworks of reshuffling, and he was not pleased with the outcome.
According to him, the removal of Ken Ofori-Atta as Finance Minister, Prof Gyampo noted the difficulty in assigning blame or praise due to the last-minute nature of the change.
He emphasized the importance of the timing of reshuffling, saying, “If you refuse reshuffling, it means you are pampering incompetence. The periodization of reshuffling is more important than the frequency.”
“It doesn’t satisfy any of the conceptual frameworks of reshuffling. I have not been happy with it.”
He added “If you refuse reshuffling, it means you are pampering incompetence. The periodization of reshuffling is more important than the frequency.”
Regarding the removal of Mr Ofori-Atta as Finance Minister, Prof Gyampo said ” If you do this last-minute change it becomes difficult, now who do we apportion the blame and who do we praise? Even though I also called for the removal of Ofori-Atta I think he should been allowed to stay, because he has spoilt things already. This reshuffle is more partisan in direction than nation building.”
Despite having called for Ofori-Atta’s removal, he suggested that the Finance Minister should have been allowed to stay, as the reshuffle seemed more partisan than focused on nation-building.
President Akufo-Addo relieved Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta of his portfolio along with several other ministers, including Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Francis Asenso Boakye, Kwaku Agyemang Manu, Kwasi Amoako Attah, Hon. Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, Hon. Lariba Abudu, Hon. Dan Botwe, Hon. Freda Prempeh, Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, Hon. Henry Quartey, and Mr. Joseph Makubu. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and Asenso-Boakye were reassigned to Works and Housing and Roads and Highways, respectively.
The reshuffle, announced by the Director of Communications at the Presidency Eugene Arhin on February 14, acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing ministers and wished them well in their future endeavors.