Nana Akufo-Addo makes key appointments for Presidency, National Security

By Ken Sackey, GNA
Accra, Jan. 4, GNA - The President-Elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday made key appointments for the Presidency and National Security ahead of his inauguration as Head of State of the Republic of Ghana on Saturday, January 7, 2016.

Nana Akufo-Addo named Ms Akosua Frema Opare, a 69-year-old Development Consultant and a Labour and Employment Expert, as Chief of Staff, and Nana Bediatuo Asante, a 53-year old Lawyer, as Secretary to the President.

Mr Victor Newman, a 69-year old Economist, Consultant and Financial Research Analyst, has been appointed Director of Research at the Presidency.

Mr Francis Asenso-Boakye, a 39-year old Development Planning, Project Management, and Policy Specialist, has been appointed as Political Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff.

Nana Akufo-Addo has also appointed long-time aide Samuel Abu Jinapor, a 33-year old Lawyer, as Deputy Chief of Staff, with career diplomat Ambassador Hassan Ahmed, 62, named as Director of State Protocol.

Eugene Arhin, 33, a Materials Engineer and Press Secretary to the President-elect, has been named the Director of Communications at the Presidency. Lord Oblitey Commey, 48, an Entrepreneur and politician, has also been appointed the Director of Operations.

Nana Akufo-Addo also appointed Saratu Atta as his Personal Assistant. Ms Atta, 53, is a graduate of the University of Warwick, United Kingdom, and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Politics and International Studies.

Also joining the staffers at the Presidency is Clara Napaga Sulemana Tia, 30, a Campaign Aide to the President-elect. Ms Tia is a graduate of the University for Development Studies and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Integrated Development Studies, specialising in social, political and historical studies.

Nana Akufo-Addo has also appointed Brigadier General Emmanuel Okyere, a Military Engineer, as National Security Advisor, where as a Security Expert and former Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) Director, Joshua Kyeremeh, has been named the National Security Co-ordinator.

The President-Elect has already pencilled a number of personalities who would be ministers in his cabinet.

They are Mr Kwadwo Alan Kyerematen for Trade and Industry, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr Isaac Kwame Asiamah for Youth and Sports, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto for Agriculture and Hajia Alima Mahama for Local Government and Rural Development.

GNA