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A senior political science lecturer at the University of Ghana (UG), Dr. Gyampo says the ministerial reshuffle of President John Dramani Mahama is a strategy to bring on board people who are capable of helping him retain political power in the 2016 election.

According to him, since President John Mahama has the mandate of Ghanaians and will be held accountable and responsible at the end of the four year period, he has to assemble his team that help him achieve the agenda he marketed to Ghanaians before he was elected.

President John Dramani Mahama on Monday night appointed the former Chief of Staff, Prosper Douglas Bani as Minister Designate for Interior in his first reshuffle for 2016.

Mr. Bani takes over from the Member of Parliament (MP) for Navrongo Central, Mark Woyongo, who has been reassigned to the Flagstaff House.

A statement signed by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah also indicated that Fiifi Kwetey, Minister of Agriculture has been appointed as the Minister Designate for Transport to replace Madam Dzifa Ativor who resigned from her position following the controversial GHc3.6 million bus re-branding saga.

Commenting on the first reshuffle for 2016, Dr. Gyampo on Okay Fm’s Ade Akye Abia Morning Show indicated that as it is the ultimate objective of political parties to win political power, the mindset behind John Mahama’s reshuffle is to work with a team that can help him in that regard.

He added that the President has weighed the strength of the people he has appointed to be capable of helping him in the various sectors to retain his seat especially leading up to election; thus President Mahama feels these are people who will be effectively helpful to his course.

“It is a strategy and as a government, you must always have a strategy to win political power or retain the seat…ministerial reshuffle and appointments are within the prerogative right of the President,” he stated.