Linda Akrasi Kotey
12 November 2009
Minister of state designate for the office of the President, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, has stated that he has no regrets for saying that the Information Minister, Hon. Zita Okaikoi was incompetent and should be relieved of her position.
He added that he made his position clear on his criticism of the Minister, because as a politician you have to always be on the ground and know about the complaints of people. "I don't think I have a change of mind, I still stand by my word", he said.
He told the Appointments Committee that he expressed the sentiments of a larger group of the public, especially the party foot soldiers, and it was not his personal observation at the time.
The MP for Mion and a member of the Appointments Committee, Dr. Alhassan, stated that his close association with the nominee revealed that he is a soft hearted person, even though people have the perception that he is a steely personality. He advised the nominee that in governance, he has to make room to accommodate some slowness and use that strength to discharge his duties diligently.
Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, alias 'Lion', was optimistic that if the intention of his nomination is to tame him, it would not work, because he would not change his stance on issues that do not go down well.
Responding to a question on how investors would have access to lands when they come into the country, the nominee noted that the aim of governments is to give comfort to the people in the country.
As such, if an investor comes with a viable project and wants land, it should be released without hesitation, and if the land is owned by a stool, there should be negotiations. According to him, most land guards are armed robbers, as such if they can all put their hands together, and ensure that the menace of landguards are eradicated, there would be peace in the country.
The Kpone Katamanso MP, who felt very comfortable in his seat as he coolly answered questions fired at him, said he would consider his new task as a challenge, because he has not been given any specific task as at now.
On an assertion he made on an Accra based local FM station that he did not want any ministerial appointment, he stated that his intention was not to bash the Information Minister because he wanted a position in the government.
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