Has Agyepong Replaced Dan Botwe?

Tongues have started wagging among the politically conscious as to whether the Press Secretary to the President, Mr. Kwabena Agyepong, is not usurping or duplicating the functions of the Information Minister, Mr. Dan Botwe, through the institutionalized bi-weekly media briefings at the Castle, Osu.

The simmering question crystalised itself at last Monday?s session of the briefing.

?Mr. Agyepong, you have not answered my question. You seem to be performing most of the functions of the Minister of Information. What do you say to that?? posed a journalist.

Mr. Agyepong burked the question, ?I said I won?t respond to that. I know I am the Press Secretary to the President and I?m doing my work. I?m communicating what the President does, his views to the public. That is my mandate.?

The questioner insisted, apparently demanding for an answer, but Mr. Agyepong would not budge, ?If you share that view, fine. But I?m sorry, am not interest in discussing that issue.?

Some patrons of the Castle media briefings have had cause at one time or the other to complain, albeit tacitly, about some questions directed at the President?s Press Secretary. In their opinion, those questions should have gone to some sector ministries.

Mr. Agyepong himself on occasions have said that a particular question would best be answered by a particular Ministry, hence notice should be given him to get appropriate answer. The question therefore arises: is it Mr. Agyepong who is going beyond his purview or rather is it some journalists who are not asking the rights questions?