cautions against mediocrity

Accra, Jan. 16, GNA - Mr John Henry Newman, Chief of Staff, on Friday opened his arms to the staff of the Presidency and expressed his expectation of the staff to reciprocate his gesture to team up with him to serve the nation.

Mr. Newman, who is a former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) from 1996 to 2001, viewed his appointment three days ago by President John Evans Atta Mills, as the work of God, and said he was excited to be in his new position which went with challenges.

"I suppose it's the work of God, I'm excited to be here; but I also know that the position goes with challenges," he said. "I come with open arms. I expect reciprocity, so that I can serve the people of Ghana by serving the President," Mr Newman said at a meeting of heads of departments and units of the Office of the President at the Castle, Osu, in Accra.

The Chief of Staff, a lawyer and administrator, said he was unnerved initially when he was called for the position, but he would rely on divine assistance and the support of the heads and staff of the office of the presidency for the effective discharge of his duties. He recalled the time he served as the COCOBOD Chief Executive when the President was the then Vice President and said he at that time initially felt unsure to be up to the task. Mr Newman added: "I will aspire to the grace of God to enable me to perform. In that case I will need your support." The Chief of Staff urged the staff to effectively discharge their duties as the office of the President was the "nerve centre" of the country.

He said that office carried an onerous responsibility and noted that all the staff had gone through some political decisions, but at the end of the day, they were happy of their service. Mr Newman, however, cautioned that he would not spare the rod. "I push people to work. I push people to develop. It's not an issue about obtaining degrees or acquiring knowledge; but you've got to use it to the benefit of the people of this country," Mr Newman said. At the meeting were Commodore Steve Obimpeh (rtd), who is in-Charge Transfer of Executive Assets of the Transitional Team, Mr Mahama Ayariga, Presidential Spokesperson, and Mr Koku Anyidoho of the Office of the President.