The Minister of Information, Mr Mustapha Hamid has dismissed claims that there was confusion regarding the appointment of managers for the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Media reports had suggested that Brigadier General Kwame Oppong-Kyekyeku (retd) and Eric Nana Agyeman-Prempeh, a former District Chief Executive for Ahafo Ano North in Ashanti have been appointed for the same positions at NADMO and as a result, there was confusion since there seemed to be no clarity with regards to their respective positions and roles.
But explaining, the Information Minister said, there ought not be any confusion with the two appointments since their appointment letters clearly states their various positions.
Brig. Gen Oppong-Kyekyeku, he said has been appointed as Chairman of the Governing Council of NADMO whilst Eric Nana Agyeman-Prempeh has been appointed as Director General, responsible for the day to day administration of NADMO.
“There should therefore be no confusion at NADMO,” the Information Minister stated in a radio interview on Asempa FM Monday afternoon when he was called to provide clarity on the matter.
“I’m surprised you are saying there is confusion,” he told the host the ‘Ekosii Sen’ afternoon talk show host, Kwadwo Asare Baffour Acheampong (KABA) .
For the Director General, he is responsible for the day to day running of the organisation and for accountability purposes, the organisation needs to have a governing board which Brig. Gen. Oppong-Kyekyeku has been appointed as chairman for him to exercise oversight responsibility over the Director General, Mr Hamid said.
“Their appointment letters state clearly what each of them is going to do,” he said.
A handing over ceremony which had been planned last week for Brig. Gen. Francis Vib Sanziri who was appointed by Former President Mahama in 2015 to handover to Brigadier General Kwame Oppong-Kyekyeku was called off.
The Presidency was reported to have intervened for the handing over to be called off since as Chairman of the Governing Council, Brig. Gen. Oppong-Kyekyeku was not responsible for the day to day administration and therefore should not receive the handing over notes.
Explaining, the Information Minister said the handing over did not happen because Brig, Gen. Oppong-Kyekyeku was not going to be in charge of the day to day running of the place.
The president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is clear in his mind that Brig. Gen. Oppong-Kyekyeku should supervise Agyemang-Prempeh.
Eric Nana Agyeman-Prempeh’s appointment letter was signed personally by President Akufo-Addo and dated March 9, 2017.
The appointment letter stated the appointment was in pursuant to Section 17(1) of the NADMO Act, 2016, Act 926. “I take this opportunity to congratulate you formally on your appointment,” the letter said.
Meanwhile Mr Abu Ramadan has also been appointed as the Deputy Director General of NADMO.