According to information gathered, the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration would soon undergo changes to win over the support of the NPP, the country's current ruling party.
There is intense pressure on President Akufo-Addo to replace some underperforming ministers and other appointments and rotate the "dining seats" so that new faces may sit down at the table. This pressure comes from both inside and outside of his cabinet and party.
There is a perception that the current administration will do better if there is a reshuffle.
According to reliable insider sources, Akufo-Addo's end-of-year message will include action, including a significant reorganization that will affect, among other ministries, the ministries of agriculture, trade, chieftaincy, fisheries, health, and lands and natural resources.
The most obvious ministers to be impacted, according to insiders, are those who have announced plans for the presidency, like John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, the minister of trade, and Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the minister of agriculture, who will not be reappointed.
In the New Year Reshuffle, it is reported that Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the minister of foreign affairs and regional integration, as well as the attorney general and minister of justice, Godfred Dame, the minister of national security, Albert Kan Dapaah, and the minister of defence, the honourable Dominic Nitiwul, will all keep their positions.
In order to preserve the public purse of Ghs158 million in the fiscal year 2023, the President is also anticipated to combine various ministries into one.
The source further stated that Mavis Hawa Koomson, who was promoted from the Special Development Initiatives Ministry to the Fisheries department, may also be impacted.
Ignatius Baffuor Awuah, minister of employment and labour relations, is also anticipated to be replaced by a fresh face. According to the source, he would be transferred away from the labour front, where the administration anticipates intense pressure in 2023 and 2024.
The source stated that although many people, including 90 NPP MPs, anticipate that President Akufo-Addo would also appoint a new Finance Minister to succeed Ken Ofori-Atta, "the President will not touch Mr Ofori-Atta for now" until the full IMF program is finished."
"Already the President has been impressed with the record-time negotiation of the staff agreement by Ofori-Atta and his team and by April 2023, the entire deal should be settled".
The NPP is about to reveal a roadmap for legislative and presidential primaries next year, and there is considerable lobbying going on over who gets to keep their position and who will be fired or relocated.
According to the insider, the list has not been completed and may alter right up before the announcement.