As President Mills' administration enters the final year of office, sources close to the presidency indicate that the President has almost finished another list of names for positions as Ministers, Deputies and other appointments, in what they describe as the first major reshuffle the Mills-led administration has embarked on since assuming power three years ago.

Deeply-placed Castle sources have hinted that the names of new appointees, who are to lead President Mills’ final year in office will be released before end of the week, and that “the list is almost complete although it is difficult to release the names of the casualties.”

“There are going to be new faces who will continue the old work, and improve upon it significantly so that Ghanaians will feel the touch of Mills’ government,” a deep throat source confirmed to The True Statesman last night.

Our sources say that at least five Ministries will be affected, with many of the sector ministers swapping positions in the reshuffle expected before the end of next week.

The source further revealed that President Mills’s latest reshuffle, apart from ensuring that his government continues to deliver, is expected to bring more bite to the government to ensure it ends the four-year term on a high note.

The Health Minister, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, is expected to be moved to the presidency as a minister of state without portfolio, to be replaced by Rashid Pelpuo, who currently serves as the deputy Majority Leader in parliament.

Also likely to be removed is Information Minister John Akologo Tia. He is expected to be replaced by deputy Minister of Education Mahama Ayariga who insiders believe can handle the job better.

The move, insiders say, is to make the Ministry more combative in countering propaganda being put out by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) on the Mills administration’s achievements.

Nii Armah Ashietey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, and his Volta Regional counterpart, Joseph Amenowode, are on their way out.

_The True Statesman_ has also learnt that the Defence Minister, Lieutenant- General Joseph Henry Smith might be dropped.

The name of Dr. Benjamin Kunbuor, the Minister of Interior, is making the rounds. But _The True Statesman_ can report that Dr.Tony Aidoo, former deputy Defence Minister under Rawlings regime and current director of Government Policy Evaluation Unit at the presidency, is most likely to be given the job.

What _The True Statesman_ does not know but will find fascinating to know is, whether the Energy Minister, Joe Oteng-Adjei, would hold on to his position, or will be asked to step aside.

Other names being speculated as likely to catch the eyes of the President include those of Moses Asaga, Member of Parliament for Nabdam and Fritz Baffuor, Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South.

Early in 2010, President Mills reshuffled his ministers, replacing the then Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Betty Mould-Iddrisu, with Martin Amidu after she was moved to the Education Ministry. Then Education Minister, Alex Tetteh - Enyo was dropped from the government.

The True Statesman

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