Former Health Minister, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, says he does not want to talk about President John Mills’ last reshuffle in his four year term as President of the Republic of Ghana. Joseph Yieleh Chireh is one of few Ministers who lost his position as the Health Minister in President John Mills’ latest Ministerial reshuffle.
News about his reshuffle might not be surprising, as it was during his term that the nation’s doctors went on a nationwide strike for almost a month over salary discrepancies as far as their migration onto the single pay policy was concerned.
Then Minister, Joseph Yieleh Chireh in the heat of the doctors’ strike took a medical leave he said his doctors had recommended.
A cross section of the public descended heavily on the health minister describing him as insensitive for deciding to go on leave when doctors across the country were striking.
It might not be strange then, that President John Mills has relieved him from his post even though the reason is unknown.
When contacted, an obviously smiley Yieleh Chireh told Xfm 95.1, he was not prepared to talk about his relieve “today”, and that when he was ready, he would do so.
Other Ministers affected by the reshuffle include Information Minister, John Tia Akologo and Ama Benyiwa Doe, Central Regional Minister.
In their stead will be Alban Bagbin as Health Minister, Fritz Baffoe, MP for Ablekuma South takes over the Information Ministry.
The Upper West Region gets Alhaji Amin Sulemana as the new regional minister while Mr Dominic Azembe Azumah goes to the Presidency as a Minister of State.
The Member of Parliament for Mfatseman West, Mr Thomas Aquinas is the Deputy Central Regional Minister-designate and MP for Nabdam, Mr Moses Asaga replaces ET Mensah as Employment and Social Welfare Minister-designate.
The president also made a number of Deputy Ministerial appointments.
Deputy Information Minister Baba Jamal swaps places with Deputy Tourism Minister James Agyenim Boateng.
Dr Omane Boateng is heading to the Ministry of Youth and Sports as a deputy minister while Mr Henry Ametepey has been appointed the Deputy Volta Regional Minister.
Dr Mustapha Ahmed replaces Dr Omane Boamah as the deputy minister with Nii Nortey Dua going to Water Resources, Works and Housing as a deputy minister.
Messrs Steven Ackah and Isaac Vanderpuije are going to the Local Government Ministry and Greater Accra Region respectively as deputy ministers.
Alhaji Siad Sinare has been appointed Ghana's Ambassador to Egypt. He replaces Alhaji Amidu Sulemana.
Story by Abena Asiedua Tenkorang/ Xfm 95.1/ Accra/ Ghana