Parliament’s Appointments Committee has begun President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s Ministerial nominees. Two Minister designates, the Minister designate for Health, Kwaku Agyeman Manu and the Minister designate for National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah were the first to appear before the Committee on Wednesday February 10,021.
They both justified why they should be given the nod to serve in the second term of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government.
The Appointment Committee, in programming for the public hearings of the nominees, considered the upsurge cases of the COVID-19 and decided to vet the Health Minister designate first in order to give him the peace of mind and opportunity to concentrate on helping to fight the pandemic.
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This is in view of the country’s current status on COVID, as such, most of the questions centred on measures by the Government to combat the raging pandemic and its related issues.
The Minister designate for Health who was the first to be drilled and spent over five hours answering questions on issues of procurement of items to help curb COVID-19, the status of some regional and district hospitals, the distribution of ambulances to all districts and their insurance status and the sustainability of the National Health Insurance Scheme, among othera.
Kwaku Agyeman Manu who is the immediate past Health Minister also answered questions on the President’s promise to construct 88 hospitals in selected districts.
He explained that additional hospitals that need to be upgraded have been added to the original 88 making it 111 and that one hospital with logistics is estimated to cost about $7 million.
He emphasized that a team has been set up to work on the project but was to be put on ice due to the upsurge in COVID-19 cases in the country.
He said when given the approval he would work to support the government’s health policies again.
Minister designate for National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah, was faced with the invasion of Military personnel into the Chamber of Parliament on January 7, 2021 during the election of a Speaker for the 8th Parliament.
The nominee – a former Member of Parliament (MP) assured the members that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has ordered an investigation into the unfortunate incident and a report on the matter will soon be ready for submission to the House. He also shared his opinions about how the threats of terrorism is being handled by the country.
Mr Dapaah also answered questions on galamsey, the bye election violence at Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency, climate change and how he has used his position as the National Security Minister over the last four years to push Cabinet level for more resources for security agencies.
By Jeorge Wilson Kingson!! Ghananewsonline.com.gh