The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has said that President John Mahama will use his second-term administration to prioritise competence over loyalty and work to minimise mistakes from his previous term.
Speaking to journalists at Black Star Square following President Mahama’s inauguration on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, Mr. Debrah said the president’s four-year mandate requires a team focused on delivering results quickly.
“Since he has been in office before and is coming back, you can be assured that we will try as much as possible to minimize mistakes and make sure we get everything right,” Mr. Debrah stated.
The Chief of Staff disclosed that while loyalty played a role in his appointment, Mr. Mahama’s administration will primarily seek competent individuals who can effectively execute the government’s agenda.
“I don’t think John Mahama is necessarily going to make his appointments based on people who are supposedly loyal to him. The first and foremost thing he is looking for is competency and one’s ability to work,” he explained.
Mr. Debrah, who served closely with President Mahama in his previous term, indicated that the administration would maintain strict accountability measures, including weekly ministerial reporting directly to the president.
“Almost every week, each minister was supposed to report to him personally. He has a chat with you and asks questions about where you were with an assignment given to you,” he revealed.
Regarding financial management, Mr. Debrah emphasised the administration’s commitment to preventing the misuse of public funds.
“Especially with regard to the management of public funds, I think it’s an area we need to keep an eye on to ensure that we limit their wastage, or even eliminate it,” he stated.
“I want to give everybody hope,” Debrah assured, stressing that achieving the administration’s goals is possible “when you have the right people who are determined to make things happen.
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