Why Spio Did Not Become A Minister

The absence of Ekow Spio-Gabrah from the list of nominees for Ministerial appointments has led to intense speculation and wild spinning in a section of the Ghanaian media. The truth however is that Mr. Spio-Gabrah cannot become a Minister in the Mills administration at this time.

Sources close to the presidency has told The Insight newspaper that Mr. Spio Gabrah had told President Mills that he needs at least three months to notify his current employers if he was appointed a Minister. Given the urgency of appointing Ministers and ensuring that the government machinery started working, Professor Mills could not wait for three long months.

Spio had been seriously considered for the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs where his close association with powerful people in the US establishment was thought to be an advantage. He had served as Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States of America and Minister for Information and Education in the Rawlings regime. Spio made a dashing but unimpressive bid for the Presidential Candidature of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Newspapers close to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have claimed that Professor Mills has finally dumped Spio because of the rivalry between them. The point must however be made that Spio fell in line soon after the NDC congress and campaigned vigorously for Professor Mills.