Accra, March 23, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Tuesday urged Ministers, Deputy Ministers and other government appointees to maintain unity and esprit de corps for the successful implementation of government programmes.

The President, who had already declared "2010 as Year of Action", cautioned Deputy Ministers to assist and team up with their substantive Ministers rather than undermine and compete with them for glory.

President Mills made the call on Tuesday when he swore-in a Minister and two Deputy Ministers at the Osu Castle, in Accra.

They are Mr. John Gyetuah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Amenfi West in the Western Region, as Minister of State at the Office of the President, Alhaji Dr. Major Mustapha Ahmed (Rtd), MP for Ayawaso East, as Deputy Minister of Water Resources, and Mr. Sam Nasamu Asabigi, as Deputy Minister of the Northern Region, a position he held under the former Government of the National Democratic Congress.

They swore to the Oath of Allegiance, Oath of Secrecy and Oath of a Minister of State, administered by the President, who also later presente= d their Letters of Commission to them.

President Mills observed that their appointments to those positions were high moments in their lives, but there was no need for them to compe= te with their Ministers since they would collectively be held responsible fo= r any failure at the ministries.

"If your Minister fails, you also fail", President Mills said, and reiterated his call on Government appointees to collaborate and cooperate=

for the efficient and harmonious discharge of their tasks. He said the appointment of the three persons was based on their skil= ls and experience.

President Mills charged them to put up their best to build on the visible gains achieved during the 15 months of his administration, and he= lp Government to move the country forward in the right direction.

Mr Gyetuah, thanked the President for the opportunity to serve Ghana= , and on behalf of his colleagues said they would live up to expectation an= d justify the confidence the President had reposed in them. The President also swore in Mrs. Evelyn Anita Stoke-Hayford, as Ghan= a's Ambassador to Italy, with additional responsibility to Turkey, Greece, Croatia and Slovenia.

President Mills said the appointment of Mrs Anita stemmed from her expertise, experience and capability. The President asked her to be Mother of all Ghanaians resident in th= e five countries, "and Ghanaians who want to come to see things for themselves." Italy, the President observed was also the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, and other global bodies.

He therefore called on the Ambassador to use her duty tour to attrac= t investors from her countries of accreditation to Ghana. President Mills prayed for God's blessing, fruitful and rewarding assignment for her and assured her of Government support. Mrs. Stokes-Hayford thanked the President for the opportunity offer= ed her to serve as an Ambassador, and promised to build on the historical an= d economic ties for the mutual benefits of Ghana and Italy. 23 March 10