The Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved the resignation of Frank Wickham, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and livestock.
It is understood that Mr. Wickham’s resignation is over disagreements over how funds earmarked for the cocoa industry is to be disbursed. A source within the Ministry says Mr. Wickham had refused to endorse the idea of having the funds diverted to MPs.
The PSC has also approved the suspension of Permanent Secretary for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Rence Sore. Mr. is said to have been suspended over the Ministry's handling of the Gold Ridge Royalty issue and will remain suspended until investigations into the matter is completed.
The Under Secretary for Research Jimmy Saele'a will be Acting Permanent Secretary while the post is being advertised.
Under the reshuffling exercise, former Permanent Secretary for Forestry and Research Jeffery Wickham has been appointed new Secretary to the Prime Minister while the former Secretary to Prime Minister Barnabas Anga has been appointed new Permanent Secretary for Forestry and Research.
Mr. Anga has also been appointed Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification following the suspension of Mr. Sore.
The Government Communication Unit says the new reshuffles and suspension takes effect immediately.