President’s decision to retain me raises the bar – Terkper

The Finance Minister has been on the receiving end of some negative criticisms quite recently from even his colleagues in the ruling National Democratic Congress and parties on the opposition bench; with several of them calling on him to resign.

Paramount among his critics, were the NDC National Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Adjei and the party's Central Regional Propaganda Secretary Allotey Jacobs who somewhat led a crusade to have Hon. Seth Terkper dismissed from office.

This notwithstanding, President John Mahama reposed much confidence in his appointee going as far as to declare early this year publicly that he (president) is being pressured to fire his Finance Minister.

Seven months down the line, Mr Terkper is still in office in spite of the president’s many reshuffles.

On Wednesday, 16th July, 2014, the president released his final list of ministerial appointees.

Even though some described the exercise as ‘musical chairs’, the president pulled a surprise by nominating Mr Ekow Spio-Garbrah, former CEO of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation as Minister for Trade and Industry.

Interestingly, some of big shots in the ruling NDC were axed.

Kwesi Ahwoi, who was with the Interior Ministry, surprisingly lost his position to Mark Owen Woyongo.

The other casualties include: Nii Armah Ashietey, Minister for Employment and Labour Relations who lost his position to Haruna Iddrisu; the position of Mr Nayon Bilijo, Minister of Fisheries, has been given to Madam Sherry Ayittey.

Rachel Appoh, Deputy Minister of Children, Gender and Social Protection who was always complaining of unfairness on the part of her boss, Nana Oye Lithur, seems to have been given the boot; for now.

Asked by Kwami Sefa Kayi how he feels being somewhat the president’s darling, a rather deferential Seth Terkper simply said on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" Morning Show that “it raises the bar”.

According to him, the President's decision to retain him in his government is a "humbling experience.”

It connotes that he should "work even harder to meet the objectives that his Excellency has set; the party has set for Ghanaians, and I don’t mean this in a partisan way because there’s a lot of input from the other side of the aisle…It’s humbling to have that.