Don't allow new position to get into your head - JAK

Accra, Dec. 18, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday swore into office the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Osei-Asibey Antwi, urging him to ensure unalloyed service to the nation.

"You should continue to help the nation to enjoy the services of good governance and never should you allow your new position to get into your head."

President Kufuor said it was important to recognise that political parties were instruments for serving the nation and that when the right party was picked by the people what naturally should flow out of that should be selfless service.

This, he said, was exactly what the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government, he was leading, after about 30 years in political opposition, had done, placing the nation first.

President Kufuor said they had fixed the economy and had come to a point "where we are able to tell the world that the economy and the currency are stable".

He said he recognised the sacrifices made to the Party by the Deputy Minister and described him as 93good example of the human material any political party should count itself lucky to have".

He said the fact that Mr Osei-Asibey patiently and quietly worked for the Party and the nation without making any demands in return should make him a role model for the rest of the members of the Party.

President Kufuor asked him to work closely with the Regional Minister to bring to order District Chief Executives, who attempted to use their office to subvert Members of Parliament (MPs).

He had earlier administered to him the Oath of Allegiance, the Oath of Deputy Minister of State and the Oath of Secrecy before presenting him with his Letters of Appointment.

Mr Osei-Asibey said he was grateful for the honour and pledged to discharge his duties to the best of his abilities.