A political scientist has defended the inclusion of a traditional ruler in the transitional team of president-elect Prof. Mills. Mr Kwesi Amakye who is a senior lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology offered the defence in an interview with Joy News. Togbi Afede VIV, an economist and paramount chief of the Asode Traditional Area in the Volta Region, is one of the few persons in the team who known not to be aligned to the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Other members of the team, Dr Nii Moi Thompson, an economist and Kwabena Duffour, former governor of the Bank of Ghana and governance expert, Dr Sule Gariba also feature prominently on the list. Mr Amakye said these individuals will only be rendering a service to the party – National Democratic Congress – and not to government. He said the team requires persons who had experience in governance and could make good choices for the NDC, especially when the party had had a very short transition period. “You need people who understand what it takes, you don’t just need amateur people; this is not the time for learning,” he said. “If a traditional leader has what it takes to help a political party do the right thing for the nation, in a capacity that will not necessarily come into conflict with the law then it should be seen as a most appropriate thing to do,” he emphasised. ‘Ex-convicts’ Featuring prominently in Prof Mills’ transition team is a former minister and ex-convict, Mr Kwame Peprah. The former Finance Minister was given a four-year sentence for causing financial loss to the state during the Rawlings administration. But reacting to the legality of Mr Peprah’s inclusion in the Mills’ transitional team, Mr Amakye said the president-elect did not err, adding “At this time, they are only serving their party, the NDC.” He said once the inclusion of Mr Peprah did not spur any controversy, the team could conveniently work with him. The list The latest statement from the Kuku Hill office of the president-elect spells out a 12-member transitional team that is billed to ensure a successful transfer of power from the Kufuor administration to the NDC. The Team has Mr. P.V. Obeng as Chairman, Mr. Alex Segbefia as Secretary and Ms. Hannah Tetteh as Spokesperson. The other members of the team are some nine sub-committee chairpersons. The sub-committees will provide the technical back up support to the transitional team. Story by Fiifi Koomson