Ahead of the official release of names of government ministers by President Akufo-Addo for his second term in office, speculations and lobbying have intensified.

According to Asaaseradio.com, an online portal with ties to the seat of government, some new names are expected on the list from the Presidency along with a few reshuffles.

From sources at the Presidency, the website reports that former deputy education minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum could be elevated to become the substantive minister, while the immediate past minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh will take over the Energy Ministry.

Again, the former Minister for Energy, John Peter Amewu who was recently elected the MP for Hohoe Constituency will then head over to the Ministry of Railway Development as the substantive minister.

Also, the MP for Okere Constituency, Dan Botwe, who was the minister in charge of Regional Reorganisation and Development is said to be moving to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, while Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Kwaku Ofori Asiamah will retain their portfolios as the Ministers of Agriculture and Transport, respectively.

Expected to retain their positions are the Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, and the Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.

Again, National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah, Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul, Interior Minister Ambrose Dery and Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah have all been tipped to retain their jobs.

Touching on new entrants, Asaaseradio.com reports that former deputy Chiefs of Staff, Samuel Abu Jinapor who is the current MP for Damongo, and Francis Asenso-Boakye, the MP for Bantama, have all been tipped for the Lands and Natural Resources and Works and Housing portfolios, respectively.

The names of the former NPP general secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyapong and the long-time NPP national chairmanship aspirant Stephen Ntim are also spoken of widely as potential ministerial appointees.

The website further indicated that from official sources, MP-ministers who lost their seats risk losing their portfolios.

Regional ministers who performed abysmally are also on their way out, the sources say.