Solomon Owusu, Director of Communications for the United Party, has welcomed the government’s recent ministerial reshuffle, saying ministers must be assigned portfolios where they can deliver results and contribute meaningfully to national development.
According to him, ministerial reshuffling is an essential part of good governance because the President must continuously assess the performance and strengths of his appointees.
Speaking on Ahotor Adekyee Mu Nsem in Accra, Solomon Owusu likened governance to a straight-line equation, arguing that the poor performance of one minister can affect the entire government.
«“Governance is like a straight-line equation. If one person does not do well in his or her ministry, it affects the governance system. So, you need to put people in a place where they can achieve the main purpose of your governance,” he said.»
He urged President John Dramani Mahama not to hesitate in reshuffling ministers who are not performing, stressing that competence and results should be the main considerations.
“From time to time, the President must do a reshuffle. When he sees that any of his ministers is not doing well, he should not waste time; the person must be reshuffled,” he added.
Solomon Owusu Commends Mahama Over Late Ministers
Solomon Owusu also commended President Mahama for waiting until the first anniversary of the deaths of the late Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Mutala Mohammed before appointing replacements to their respective positions.
The two ministers died in a military helicopter crash, and Solomon Owusu said the President’s decision demonstrated respect for Ghanaian culture and the families of the deceased.
He noted that although there was pressure on the President to immediately fill the vacant positions, doing so before the one-year commemoration could have been perceived as insensitive.
«“I want to thank the President for holding on to their positions until we celebrated their first anniversary before appointing someone there. It is very good, and it will allow their souls to rest well,” he said.»
‘Names Don’t Buy Food’ – Solomon Owusu
Solomon Owusu further argued that political appointments should not be based merely on the names or reputations of individuals but on their ability to deliver.
“I don’t believe in names. Names don’t buy food. All I need is for the President to fulfil Article 36 of our Constitution, so that the country will see that every Ghanaian is happy,” he stated.
He questioned the relevance of appointing well-known personalities to key ministries if they fail to address the problems confronting the country.
He cited illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, as an example, arguing that a minister’s reputation means little if the environment continues to be destroyed and water bodies and farmlands are contaminated.
«“If you have a name and you use it to occupy the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the environment is being destroyed by galamsey, and our food is being contaminated with chemicals, your name is worthless,” he said.»
He also said ministers responsible for defence and technology must demonstrate their relevance by addressing emerging national and regional challenges.
Works and Housing Minister Must Deliver
On the Works and Housing Ministry, Solomon Owusu criticised the situation where the President personally participates in desilting gutters and other activities that should ordinarily fall within the responsibilities of the relevant ministry.
He said ministers appointed to represent the President must take ownership of their portfolios and ensure that critical problems are addressed.
«“When the President went to desilt the gutter, I said if I were the President, I would have fired him because the President goes around the country even before he is voted for. So, if he appoints you to represent him at the ministry, you should do the work,” he said.»
He further identified housing as one of Ghana’s major challenges and urged the Works and Housing Minister to deliver tangible solutions.
“One of the critical problems we have in this country is housing in Ghana. If he has been appointed there and citizens are still not getting a place to sleep, then he has not helped,” he added.
‘Agalga Is Not Soft’ – Solomon Owusu
Commenting on the changes in Parliament, Solomon Owusu defended the appointment of James Agalga as Majority Leader, describing him as an experienced politician capable of building consensus in Parliament.
He said the Majority Leader must be level-headed, willing to listen to both sides of the House and capable of finding common ground.
«“We don’t need someone who is arrogant or someone who thinks he knows more than everybody. We need someone who can listen to both sides of the House and come to consensus,” he said.»
Solomon Owusu disagreed with comments attributed to former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul that Agalga is “soft.”
“I disagree with him. Agalga is not someone who is soft as he is saying,” he stated.
According to him, Agalga pays attention to detail, understands politics and has significant parliamentary experience.
He noted that Agalga is serving his fourth term in Parliament and has previously served as a Deputy Minister, giving him experience in both parliamentary affairs and executive leadership.
Solomon Owusu said the continued presence of other experienced legislators who previously occupied majority leadership positions would also give Agalga the opportunity to draw on their experience.
“I don’t see it as a bad decision,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin Lacked Maturity During NPP Demonstration – Solomon Owusu
Solomon Owusu also criticised former Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin over his conduct during the recent NPP demonstration and the presentation of the party’s petition.
He particularly took issue with Afenyo-Markin’s interaction with Nana Yaa Jantuah, who was designated to receive the petition on behalf of the President.
According to Solomon Owusu, anyone appointed by the President to perform an official duty must be treated with respect.
He argued that disrespecting the President’s representative amounted to disrespecting the office of the President itself.
«“Leadership is very important because the way he spoke there was disrespectful. In our culture, you cannot talk to a woman like that. If you do that, you lose the respect people have for you,” he said.»
He questioned why Afenyo-Markin would insist on presenting a petition he considered important while simultaneously dismissing the person assigned to receive it.
Solomon Owusu said if Afenyo-Markin genuinely believed Nana Yaa Jantuah was not important enough to receive the petition, the more mature approach would have been to refuse to hand it over.
«“If I were him and I wanted to show that I was mature, I would send my petition back since the person receiving it was ‘nobody’, to show the world that the petition was so important to me,” he said.»
He said the incident highlighted the need for maturity, respect and responsible leadership in Ghana’s political discourse.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah/Ahotoronline/Accra
