A former Press Secretary former President Kufuor, Kwabena Agyei Agdjapong, has challenged President Mills to publicly declare his stance on the dismissal or otherwise of his Communications Director, Koku Anyidoho. Although the Minister of Information has since stated that Mr Anyidoho is still at post, in Mr Adjapong’s opinion, there is considerable confusion over Mr Anyidoho’s current status, especially as he is being paid by the taxpayer although his role in the administration has not been clearly defined. The former Press Secretary’s comment comes in the wake of a statement issued over the weekend by the Presidency outlining who has the authority to issue statements on behalf of the President, conspicuously leaving out the Director of Communications, Mr Anyidoho’s office. Mr Anyidoho came under severe criticism for announcing the purported sacking of the Ashanti Region Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana after floodlights at the Baba Yara stadium failed to come on during the Ghana versus Lesotho football match on June 1, 2012. This ‘false’ sack was immediately dismissed by government and the Energy Ministry. Anyidoho has since apologised, but this failed to quell calls for his dismissal. In apparent response to these calls, the statement signed by J.H.M Newman, Chief of Staff, read in part, “the Office of the President wishes to state that all directives and decisions emanating from the Presidency including appointments are communicated formally and signed by the Secretary to the President or in some instances by the Chief of Staff.” “All other government Information is communicated through the Ministry of Information by Press Release or other means and in some cases where appropriate by the relevant sector Ministers, under the directive of the Minister-in-charge.” The final part of the statement said “the office of the President wishes the Media and the General Public be guided by these procedures and channels for communicating Government information.” But speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem Morning Show on Monday June 11, Mr Adjapong described the statement as vague. “The statement is moot,” he declared. “President Mills, you are our leader. You have the power to hire and fire. To release a statement that clearly relieves him (Koku) of his post and then keep him at the Presidency and still pay him from the Consolidated Fund is problematic.” He expressed surprise at Government’s decision to saddle the Chief of Staff with government communication when he is “already burdened” with running the presidency. Also contributing, Kwabena Adjapong’s predecessor, Andrew Awuni, explained that the job of a Press Secretary – or in this instance Communication Director- main job was to communicate the President’s views and sentiments to the public upon the express direction of the president. Although there might be issues of confusion, he added, it was generally expected that his statements were grounded on the authority of the President.