Speaking on the Point Blank segment on Eyewitness News, Mr. Hamid, who had been a spokesperson for Nana Addo before he became President, said he is convinced serving as the President’s Spokesperson for ten years, would have qualified him to take up another challenge instead of the current position which will still require him to be a communicator.

“To be very honest with you, it is not something that I would have loved to do. Why because I mean of course in life you want to over periods of time take up other challenges so ten years on the job, I thought would have been enough for me to take up another challenge… so my first choice would not have been to be Minister for Information and Presidential Spokesperson.”

He was however quick to add that, he knew why the President chose him for that position, saying “…I also understand him. The fact that I am the person he is sure about, that I understand his thinking on any issue at any time and so on…If I were in his shoes that is what I would have done. I will stick with what I know.”

He further stated that, he did not lobby for the position.

“No I did not ask him, I did not lobby. I guess that the fact that I have spoken for him for ten years, speaks volumes of the fact that he is satisfied.”

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, appointed Mustapha Hamid, as his Minister nominee for Information while announcing the third batch of Ministers nominee at the Flagstaff House on Thursday.

This announcement follows a similar one on Tuesday and Wednesday, which saw persons including Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West constituency, Ursula Owusu, the National Women’s Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Otiko Afisa Djaba and Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey being appointed as Minister for Communications, Minister for Gender and Social Protection and Foreign Affairs Minister respectively.

In all, Nana Addo has announced the names of 36 persons for various ministries. He however explained that six of the nominees will serve as Ministers of State at the presidency.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post I would’ve preferred ‘another challenge’ – Mustapha Hamid appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

President Nana Addo made the announcement while announcing the third batch of Ministers nominee at the Flagstaff House on Thursday.

This announcement follows a similar one on Tuesday and Wednesday, which saw persons including Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West constituency, Ursula Owusu, the National Women’s Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Otiko Afisa Djaba and Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey being appointed as Minister for Communications, Minister for Gender and Social Protection and Foreign Affairs Minister respectively.

In all, Nana Addo has announced the names of 36 persons for various ministries. He however explained that six of the nominees will serve as Ministers of State at the presidency.

Profile of Mustapha Hamid 

Mustapha Abdul-Hamid is 45 years old. He holds a Diploma in Education, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Studies and a Master of Philosophy Degree, also in Religious Studies, all from the University of Cape Coast.

He is presently a Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies at the University of Cape Coast, where he specializes in the areas of Islam & Gender and Political Thought in Islam.

Prior to taking up teaching, he worked in the media in various capacities as Editor of the High Street Journal, Editor of the Statesman newspaper, News Editor at the then Choice FM and Strategy 4 Planning Manager at Media Majique & Research Systems.

He has published widely in many prestigious academic journals around the world. In politics, he was National Youth Organiser of the NPP from 2002-2005. He has been Spokesperson for the President from 2007 to date. He is married with five children.

Below is the list released for Thursday:

1.Minister for Planning  – Prof. Gyan Baffour (MP for Wenchi)

2.Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts – Catherine Ablema Afeku (MP for Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira Constituency)

3.Minister of Information – Mustapha Hamid

4.Minister for Special Development Initiative – Mavis Hawa Koomson (MP for Awutu Senya East)

5.Minister of Youth and Sports – Isaac Asiamah (MP for Atwima Mponua constituency)

6. Minister of Fisheries– Elizabeth Afoley Quaye (MP for Krowor)

7. Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs – Kofi Dzamesi

8. Minister of Aviation – Cecelia Dapaah

9. Minister of Inner cities and Zongo Development- Abubakar Boniface Siddique

10. Minister of Business Development- Awal Mohammed

11. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs – Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu (MP for Suame and Majority Leader)

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post Mustapha Hamid is Information Minister nominee appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The president-elect’s representative on the transition team, Yaw Osafo Marfo, expressed this concern, among others, on Wednesday morning, where he asked for some clarity from government.

[contextly_sidebar id=”jVNW8dhH5QEEkFI9ojj3qjobQubus0Oz”]But speaking to the press after the plenary session of the transition team on Wednesday, Ms. Tetteh said, “I am not aware of any contracts being awarded, I am not aware of the sale of government properties.”

On the other hand, she indicated that she was aware of an advertisement in some newspapers announcing the opening of recruitment for the Ghana Armed forces.

Ms. Tetteh, however, said  it was unlikely that “the recruitment exercise will be concluded before January 7, in which case the incoming administration will have the responsibility and have the oversight to see how the exercise is concluded.”

“The question really is to make sure that whatever exercise takes place, takes place in a transparent manner and that if there are any concerns that the transition team wishes to raise, one would hope that it will be addressed,” she added.

Osafo Marfo not being alarmist

Meanwhile, the Spokesperson for the President-elect’s side, Mustapha Hamid, said the earlier concerns raised by Mr. Osafo Marfo were only to draw the attention of the outgoing team for redress.

“We take it that it is a concern that he [Osafo Marfo] expressed in order that they would address them. We were not really looking for answers. It was just a concern to say that; please look at this for us and I guess that they understood the language.”

“He didn’t put it to them as if he telling was them a matter of fact. He said this is what is in the air, in the press and so on. If it is true, please let’s stop it. If it is not true, so be it,” Mr. Hamid explained.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post I’m not aware of any ‘last minute contracts’ – Hanna Tetteh appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, Mr. Naabu was offered a brand new V6 Mitsubishi, a brand New V8 Land Cruiser and GHc 3.3 million to resign from his party, and paint the NPP Flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, as divisive, a dictator and an anti-northerner ahead of the elections.

Addressing a press conference today [Tuesday], Mr. Hamid said, “according to the President, Bugri should paint Akufo-Addo as a rabid anti-northern person who could never be trusted to advance the people of the north… he was supposed to say that Akufo-Addo was knocking the head of one northerner against the other.”

Mr. Hamid expressed surprise at the extent he says the NDC could go in their quest to malign Nana Akufo-Addo and hold onto power.

As he was almost moved to tears during the delivery; a voice was heard from the crowd telling him not to cry.

Watch an excerpt of the press conference below showing an emotional Mustapha Hamid call on Ghanaians to rescue their country.

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Video: Nana Akufo-Addo Facebook page

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Mustapha Hamid ‘cries’ over Mahama’s alleged bribery [Video] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.