Accra, March 16, GNA- President John Evans Atta Mills on Monday reminded Ministers and Deputy Ministers appointed under his administration to co-operate, and work together as a team to achieve the aims and objectives of improving the lives of Ghanaians. He cautioned against undermining one another, and warned Deputy Ministers who undermined their substantive ministers with the intention of occupying their positions that they might not fill the void and might even be disqualified for such positions.

President Mills gave the caution when he swore-in three Ministers of State and five Deputy Ministers who were endorsed by Parliament last week, at the Castle, Osu in Accra.

The three Ministers of State were Mr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, Minister of State at the Presidency; Mr Lakpalimor Kojo Tawiah and Alhaji Amadu Seidu, also Ministers of State. The Deputy Ministers are Mrs Elizabeth Amoah-Tetteh, Dr Joseph Annang, both Deputy Ministers of Education; Dr Kwabena Donkor and Dr Kwabena Donkor, Deputy Minister for Energy and Mr Seth Terkper, Deputy Minister for Finance.

The Ministers of State and the Deputy Ministers swore to the Oaths of Allegiance, Minister of State and Secrecy. The President presented them with their Instrument of Appointment. The President and the Ministers and Deputy Ministers later signed the Oath Books.

President Mills reminded the appointees that their positions were privilege to serve, rather than a right, and advised them to take advantage of their positions to serve the people who looked up to them to improve infrastructure and standard of living.

The President reiterated his determination to run an honest, open and transparent government, and reminded the Ministers of State that, even through they would be serving directly from the Presidency, that should not make them think that they were superior to other Ministers. They must co-operate with other Ministers and work to achieve the party's agenda of building a better Ghana, and use the resources to the benefit of the people.

Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, National Security Advisor, in a word of advice urged the appointees to take into account the welfare of the people, and emulate the humility of the President, which he said he could "not compare with any thing he had seen in life." He cautioned them against corruption and greed. Chief of Staff, Mr Henry Martey Newman also underscored service with humility to the appointees. Alhaji Amadu Seidu thanked the President for the privileged service, and pledge that they would serve with commitment. 16 March 09