General News of Friday, 11 January 2013

Source: The Enquirer Newspaper

Spio for Foreign Ministry?

As names start popping up in President John Dramani Mahama’s cabinet, suggestions reaching The Enquirer indicate that the foreign ministerial position is going to the former Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization, Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah.

Even though there have been speculations that Ms Hannah Tetteh, outgoing Minister of Trade and Industry, has been penciled in for the Foreign Affairs Ministry position, deep throat sources hinted that Dr Spio-Garbrah will get the nod.

The President after his investiture as the fourth President of the fourth republic is to pick his team of ministers upon consultations with the council of state.

But before then the council of state would have to be elected before the ministers are chosen and thereafter vetted by Parliament.

The President has already appoint the Secretary to Cabinet, Roger Kwesi Angsomwine, Executive Secretary to the President, Dr Raymond Akongburo Atuguba, Senior Policy Coordinator in the Office of the President-Dr Sulley Gariba and the Chief of Staff at the Presidency- Mr Prosper Douglas Kweku Bani.

Even though the team of ministers to form the next administration is not known, information making round indicates that Dr Spio-Gabrah is in the lead of personalities targeted to replace Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni as Foreign Minister in the next administration.

The astute diplomat, according to deep throat sources, is expected to build on the good job done by the outgoing minister and consolidate on the already solid international relations between Ghana and the rest of the world.

A communication expert, Dr Spio-Gabrah serves on several boards in Ghana and abroad and has held several high profile positions in the field.

He is a former Minister of Communication, one time Ambassador of Ghana to the United States and Mexico, Minister responsible for Mines and Energy under the regime of former President Jerry Rawlings between 1994 and 2000.