The hierarchy of the ruling National Democratic Congress is grappling with whether to allow some of its party members who have been given ministerial nominations to double as party executives. President John Atta Mills has so far nominated 16 persons for ministerial positions. Among the names of persons nominated are the party’s National Youth Organiser, Haruna Idrissu as Communications Minister-designate and Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the party’s National Organiser as the Eastern Regional Minister-designate. Sources close to the party have told Joy News although the issue had been discussed by executives of the party, no concrete decision has been taken. The sources however say the nominees may have to relinquish their party positions as they lace their boots for their ministerial appointments. Meanwhile Mr Ofosu-Ampofo has told Joy FM he is looking at developing the Eastern Region, for which he is Minister-designate, while he steps up efforts to better the fortunes of the party in future elections. Although the Eastern Region has been a huge support base of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Mr Ofosu Ampofo said he has braced himself for the challenge of working with his opponents. Mr Ofosu Ampofo who was once a Deputy Regional Minister under the NDC government and previously a DCE for Fanteakwa, said he would adopt a bi-partisan approach to solving the many challenges confronting the people in the region. “I do not think I will have any problem at all in bringing them to the table and then trying to develop the region together with them,” he stated. Commenting on his current position as national organiser and minister-designate, Mr Ofosu Ampofo said he is waiting on the party’s hierarchy to decide on what he is supposed to do. Meanwhile Women Organiser of the party and former Member of Parliament for Gomoa West, Ama Benyiwa Doe has described her nomination as Central Regional Minister-designate as a challenge. Madam Ama Benyiwa Doe who served as Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Welfare under the NDC said she looks forward to her new role and told Joy News she would welcome all shades of opinion. “It is a responsibility that has been entrusted to me by the first executive of this country,” she said. The December 2008 polls have confirmed that the Central Region is a swing electoral area, however Madam Benyiwa Doe told Joy News “I am not going there as a political activist, I am going there as an administrator of the whole region." With nominations for Ministerial positions yet to be given parliamentary approval, it is most likely these nominees may have to relinquish their party positions. Listen to Mr Ofosu-Ampofo and Madam Benyiwa-Doe speak to Joy FM in the attached audio Story by Fiifi Koomson