Samia, Adams to join cabinet

The election of John Dramani Mahama as President of Ghana in last Friday’s elections is expected to send new waves in the rank and file of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

With the number two now at the helm of affairs having ‘endured’ the period of caretaker President after the passing away of President John Evans Atta Mills, the dynamics of power brokerage in the Umbrella family is up for a major transformation.

Instructively, the influence of the Ahwois’ and the ‘Fanti confederation’ in the corridors of power is likely to wean in this new administration.

It is an open secret that ‘Fanti confederation’ virtually run the Mills administration behind the scenes, rendering the then President’s role merely ceremonial, but this is not likely to occur in the new administration.

Most of the darling boys of the former President Mills, who were shot onto political lime light by virtue of their appointments into ministerial positions, are likely to give away to new faces, as President John Mahama prepares to form a government of his own.

Already, a transitional team, headed by the Vice President, Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, has directed all ministers of state to begin preparing their handing over notes, in compliance with the provisions of the Presidential (Transitions) Act of 2013, Act 845.

Indications are that the President is likely to spring surprises in his new cabinet concerning ministerial appointments, while retiring some key ministers in fulfillment of his promise of an all-inclusive government.

Key among the names likely to be missing on the list of the new government are Dr Kwabena Duffuor, Minister of Finance whose position is likely to be occupied by Dr Cadman Mills, brother of the late President Mills, or the more experienced Seth Tekper, Deputy Minister at the Finance Ministry.

A restructuring of the Defence, give way to a new person, possibly of Northern descent.

The Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Ebo Barton Oduro, is not likely to make his way into the new administration. Mills’ darling boy, Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Minister for Information, who is said to have gained unprecedented authority at that ministry, is also not likely to consolidate his stay in the new administration, and might take solace in the seat he won in parliament, in the just-ended elections.

Trade Minister Hannah Tetteh, who doubled as the campaign manager for the Mahama presidential bid, is billed to be the rising star in the new administration.

Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development’s contribution towards retaining the NDC in power is expected to be rewarded, as a core member in the new administration.

The influence of the Rawlings is not likely to dwindle, considering the posture of former President Rawlings in the few moments to the general elections. The former President, who had been on a criticism spree against his party, at the last moment, endorsed the candidature of President Mahama, although he could not make public who he would vote for in the run up to the elections.

Mr Rawlings’ influence in the NDC is expected to bounce back, considering the cordial relationship which existed between him and the President-elect, prior to the elections.

Mr Kofi Adams, an aide to former President Rawlings, is expected to be used as the bargaining chip to win back the trust of the Rawlingses, as one of the new faces likely to show up in the ministerial list of the John Mahama administration.

The Chronicle will be least surprised if the agenda of the NDC to encapsulate the smaller political parties in the country leads to a ministerial position being thrown at the Chairman of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Samia Nkrumah.

There are also indications that Madam Betty Mould Iddrisu, former education minister, is likely to find her way back to government, with predictions pointing to the Foreign Affairs Ministry as her base.