There is no power struggle at ministry - Prof. Ekumfi

Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Minister of Education, on Wednesday denied any form of power struggle at the ministry, admitting though, that "the present arrangement may have confused many people".

He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that; "in the Ministry we all have our schedules, Ms. Christine Churcher is in-charge of the Basic, Secondary and Girl-Child Education which presumes that she is for pre-tertiary but I am tasked with the over all responsibility of the Ministry".

Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi was on Thursday heckled by the Minority during a Parliamentary question time on his status with some doubting his "first among equals" status at the Ministry.

The short drama started when members started arguing among themselves whether he could answer one of the questions directed at Ms Churcher. Papa Owusu Ankoma, the Majority Leader, said Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi could answer since the house dealt with substance and not with form.

He said the question was not properly put because there was a Minister at the Ministry in-charge of Basic, Secondary and Girl Child Education but there was no Ministry of Basic and Girl Child Education.

The Leader said since there was a Ministry of Education and "the Minister is here I believe he can answer the question". Mr Modestus Ahiable, NDC-Ketu North, said he could not understand the arrangement at the ministry and asked whether "Ms Churcher was a person hanging like a bat." Speculations on the rivalry at the ministry have made the rounds lately but government sources blamed the opposition for the rumour.