It’s been twelve months since the New Patriotic Party (NPP) took office and just like any other new administration, there have been some downsides and disappointments.
Nana Addo made it to the news big time during the nomination and vetting of ministers which political analysts have described as one of the largest in the 4th republic.
The NPP administration has in total of over 100 ministers including deputies but all government argues is that the size of this administration is due to the burden placed on government to fix what’s broken in the economy.
But in the span of their duties, Nana Addo’s minister’s have never had the free space to operate as their actions and inactions continue to be strictly analyzed and interrogated by discerning political minds.
Beyond these analyses have we come to realize the various mistakes – both forgivable and unforgivable – that these ministers have or continue to do that may cost them their positions maybe in the year 2018.
To this effect, YEN.com.gh makes the list of some ministers who are likely to lose their positions should Nana Addo effect a reshuffle in 2018.
1. Minister for gender and social protection
Otiko Djaba started her duties as gender minister on a rather rough note following verbal clashes with the Northern regional chairman, Bugri Naabu over the selection of matrons for the school feeding program in the Northern Region.
Although the seat of the presidency called both minister and Bugri Naabu to order, there still remain concerns over the relationship between both party stalwarts.
Beyond the Otiko-Bugri feud, there continue to be clashes over who is selected as what under the school feeding program.
Whether this could warrant a reshuffle of the minister, we won’t be surprised if it did.
2. Minister for agriculture
Dr. Afriyie-Akoto continues to face severe criticisms especially from reporters and agriculturists alike.
With Ghana’s Agric sector being the major sector facing grave challenges – considering its slow growth since the fourth quarter 2015.
The major challenge the minister has had to grapple with is the fall army worm invasion which is feared to have ravaged hundreds of hectares of farmlands in the hinterlands.
The minister has revealed that the fall army worm invasion has been defeated but actual checks by farmers and the General Agric Workers Union (GAWU) insist the minister is just lying to Ghanaians.
If things get worse (of which many Agric experts predict a shortage of food in 2018) there is no doubt that Nana Addo could sacrifice this minister for the betterment of the agriculture sector.
3. Minister for youth and sports
Ghanaians love their football among all the sports there is to think of and so far, the level of disappointment regarding the failure of the senior Black Stars to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup has got many Ghanaians doubting the capacity of Isaac Asiamah who many say lacks control over the team.
It will therefore not be a shock to us realizing his reshuffle especially when the very coach he considered (Kwesi Appiah) continue to break the hearts of Ghanaians.
4. Minister for inner city and Zongo development
It was for the development of the inner cities in Ghana that Nana Addo appointed one of the most loved personalities in the Zongo community and that is Boniface Abubakar Saddique.
But unfortunately, most Ghanaians just don’t hear or see much from the minister.
Could it be that they are losing familiarity of the minister?
Could it also mean that a reshuffle is on its way?
5. Interior minister
In the past 11 months of the Akufo-Addo administration, there have been 18 troubling cases of vigilantism in the country – a state of lawlessness triggered by pro-NPP vigilante groups who share a deep loyalty to the government.
Ambrose Dery has recently dared the president to get him fired should he fail to put a lid on the troubling acts of these vigilante groups.
We, therefore, won’t be surprised if Nana Addo reshuffles the minister for a poor job done.
6. Minister for fisheries and aquaculture
Under the leadership of the fisheries minister, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, there have been concerns over the depleting fish stock in the country.
The minister has also been on a turf with local farmers who constantly have issues with the very policies she often raises regarding the challenges faced the sector.
