Trade and Industries Minister-designate, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah has apologised for a comment which irked many appointees of the late President John Atta Mills and made him a virtual pariah in the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
While maintaining his comment about the appointment of Team B ministers in the government was distorted for propaganda purposes, the experienced politician said with the benefit of hindsight, he ought not to have made the comments at all.
Dr. Spio-Garbrah incurred the anger of many in the NDC and the government for comments in an article criticising the quality of persons appointed by the late President Mills into government.
A Presidential Advisor at the time, Mr. Ato Ahwoi wrote an article accusing Spio-garbrah of insulting his colleagues and insisting that as long as he (Ato Ahwoi) lived and remained in government, Spio-Garbrah would never be appointed into government.
He asked “why the government may have chosen to field some players from its Team B when many Team A players are available and ready to play.”
But appearing before members of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Spio-Garbrah said he was simply restating views expressed by the general public on radio.
He said the views were deliberately or genueinely distorted or misunderstood.
The former Ambassador to the US however said to the extent that some people felt offended by the comment, he is sorry.
“I was reporting on what I have heard on radio about some members referring to ministers as Team A and Team B.
“If one were reading this article carefully you’ll reach the conclusion that Ekow Spio Garbrah has not said that all members of the government are Team A or Team B; neither has he said that any member of the government was Team A or Team B,” he clarified.
According to the nominee: “I have apologized on numerous platforms to many of my colleagues [minister] who might have misunderstood it”.
He however, maintained, the publication was not intended to launch an attack on then President John Atta Mills and the NDC government, for not offering him cabinet appointment. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Jerry Tsatro Mordy | [email protected]
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