Accra, Aug. 7, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday swore-in one Minister of State and eight Deputy Ministers, telling them, he would not accept any excuse for non-performance.

"Be reminded that, you must work through to the last day of the Government's tenure of office. Those who do not perform would be removed," he cautioned.

Additionally, he demanded that their loyalty should be unquestionable.

Dr Anthony Osei Akoto, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning; Mr Frank Agyekum, Deputy Minister, Information and National Orientation; Mr Kofi Osei Ameyaw, Deputy Minister, Tourism and Diaspora Relations; Mr Fredrick Opare Ansah, Deputy Minister, Communications; Mr Maxwell Kofi Jumah, Deputy Minister, Local Government and Rural Development; were among those sworn into office.

The rest were Mrs Agnes A Chigabatia, Upper East Deputy Regional Minister; Mrs Winifred Assibi Dy-Yaka, Deputy Minister, Upper West; Mr Samual K. Obodai, Central Regional Deputy Minister and Mr Ofosu Asamoah, Deputy Regional Minister, Eastern Region.

President Kufuor advised them to be humble and to put their competences at the service of Ministers.

Again they should show due respect to the Civil Servants at their various ministries, reminding them that without the Civil Service, the political class would not be able to function. He said it was, therefore, important to encourage the Civil Servants to be loyal.

He, however, cautioned that in accepting their technical advice, the Ministers should ensure more circumspection in order not to be outsmarted.

He said it should not be lost on them that they would take responsibility for decisions they took.

President Kufuor asked the new Ministers most of whom are serving MPs to learn "how to walk the tight rope between the Executive and the Legislature."

"I expect you to work as part of the leadership and responsible Ministers."

Dr Akoto Osei, on behalf of his colleagues, pledged to give off their best to produce results.