Edumadze, Agyepong, Osei-Ameyaw out as Kufuor makes more changes in gov’t

Perhaps of all the positions earmarked for change that of Isaac Edumadze, is the one eagerly anticipated.

JOY FM sources say it has been a major battle as the minister desperately fought to retain his post against the immense pressure from the ruling NPP's central regional constituency executives.

The president has also dropped his former press secretary, Kwabena Agyepong, who is said to have left the country with his family to the United Kingdom.

Mr. Agyepong had been tipped to become the deputy minister for Sports, Science and Education after news of his resignation broke. Sources close to the Castle told Joy News that Mr. Agyepong was reconsidering the offer that he initially turned down. But his name is missing on the final list released this evening.

Mr. Agyepong might have ruffled some feathers by his sudden resignation from government and his refusal to rescind his decision. Therefore Mr. O. B. Amoah who was expected to move to the local government as deputy, has been maintained as deputy minister at the Sports, Science and Education Ministry.

Kofi Osei-Ameyaw has also been removed from the position of deputy minister for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and President's Special Initiatives.

Western Regional Minister, Joseph Boahene Aidoo has also been dropped. The Member of Parliament for Mpohor Wassa West, Anthony Evans Amoah will replace him.

Other major casualties are the deputy Interior Minister; Capt. (Rtd) Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey and the deputy minister for Women and Children's Affairs. The two have been told to step aside.

The Member of Parliament for Effiah-Kwesimintim, Joe Baidoo-Ansah has been named as deputy Minister for Tourism and Diasporean Relations.

Our sources also say the Ashanti regional minister. Samuel Kwaku Boafo has been reassigned as Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, a position once held by Nana Akuoko Sarpong during the NDC regime. His place will taken by Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, deputy Attorney General.

Mustapha Ali Idris is going for the position of Northern Regional Minister. Issah Ketekewu, former Works and Housing Minister will assist Mustapha Idris as his deputy. Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Kofi Osei Ameyaw has also been dropped.

Sophia Horner Sam, Deputy Western Regional Minister moves to Ports and Railways as deputy minister. Madam Theresa Tagoe leaves the Lands Forestry and Mines ministry for the post deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister. All other regional ministers will stay, for the moment.

However, there have been no changes to the original list of deputy ministers. They include: Miss Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey moving from Information to Foreign Affairs as deputy, Oboshie Sai Coffie from deputy Chief of Staff to deputy Information Minister.