Accra, April 3, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Friday challenged appointees under his administration to be guided by the future and work earnestly to fulfill the mission of improving the lives of Ghanaians under government's better Ghana agenda. He asked them to remember the journey so far made to s ecure the mandate of Ghanaians and be guided by their expectations for the next four years and beyond, stressing accountability to the people as they remained in positions of trust.

President Mills gave the reminder when he swore-in four new Deputy Ministers at the Castle, Osu in Accra.

The Deputy Ministers who had earlier been approved by the Appointments Committee of Ghana's Parliament were: Dr Kwesi Akyem Apea-Kubi for the Interior, Mrs Dzifa Aku Attivor for Transport, Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah for Local Government and Rural Development and Mr Fifi Fiavi Franklin Kwetey for Finance and Economic Planning.

The deputy ministers took the Oath of Allegiance, Oath of a Deputy Minister and Oath of Secrecy.

President Mills, as well as the Deputy Ministers, signed the respective Oath Books. He also presented each Deputy Minister with the Instrument of Appointment, a baton painted in the Ghana national colours of red, yellow and green with a black star in the yellow; and a copy each of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana as a reminder of their rights, duties and responsibilities to the state.

President Mills re-echoed that government had a clear vision and mission of building a better Ghana and re-emphasized that his administration would run the country on the principles of mutual respect, without selective justice and ensure equality of all before the law.

He congratulated the Deputy Ministers on their appointment, pointing out that it took a lot to reach that height. Mr. Alex Segbefia, Deputy Chief of Staff advised the Deputy Ministers to engage in teamwork with their substantive Ministers, colleagues and the government hierarchy.

He said it was heartening to see the youthful exuberance that was being exhibited in the national politics and urged the appointees to be focused and not to be sidetracked by populist propaganda. He said they had to ensure that they took the right decisions to meet the very high standards that Ghanaians had set for the government. Mr Ankrah, on behalf of his colleagues expressed appreciation to the President and prayed for wisdom and grace of God to effectively discharge their duties. 03 April 09