Parliament has approved the nomination of Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye as Deputy Minister for Health. He is expected to help the Akufo-Addo government with his expertise and general knowledge as a medical doctor.
Dr. Okoe Boye is the current Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ledzokuku constituency. He serves on the Parliamentary Committees on Health and Government Assurances and is also the Board Chairman of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
The Appointment Committee of Parliament recommended his approval to the House because he met all the requirements and has distinguished himself as a very promissing, passionate, and competent individual who is ready to bring his expertise to bare on the country’s health sector, especially in this historic time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In presenting the Committee’s report, the Chairman of the Appointment Committee who doubles as the First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu indicated that the Committee duly considered the nomination of the President in line with the Constitution of Ghana and hereby recommends him for approval by consensus.
The Minority Leader and Ranking Member on the Appointment Committee, Haruna Iddrisu, also indicated that Dr. Okoe Boye demonstrates a grasp of the subject matter of his calling and other matters of national concern whenever he made a contribution on the floor of the House.
According to the Leader, he shows promise and has aquitted himself honourably at the Committee level during his vetting, and therefore must be approved to contribute his quota to the Health sector.
He also reiterated the call for the subsatntive Minister to make good use of the expertise of the nominee by readilly engaging him in the activities of the Ministry.
The Majority Leader and Leader of Government business in Parliament, Osei-Kyei-Mensah Bonsu, on his part, observed that the MP for Ledzokuku is an epitome of an up and coming Member of Parliament who has distinguished and aquitted himself adequately.
“Mr. Speaker, the reason his appointment is not raising any eyebrows at this point of the government is because it is very meritorious. He would bring value to the Ministry and expand his own frontiers,” he observed.
MP for the North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who is also a member of the Committee showered a lot of praises on the Deputy Minister designate for his tenacity and competency for the Ministerial position.
He observed that the appointment by the President in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic was very timely and deserves to be commended.
MP for Abuakwa South and Minister for Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea, said he was in no doubt about the competence of the young Doctor he encountered at the Kibi Hospital some few years ago.
“His deep knowledge on the COVID-19 matters and others at the vetting was very revealing and insightful. I have no doubt the member will do his best to assist the Minister,” he said and urged the Minister to give him all the support required.
The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, used the occasion to correct the impression that the appointment of an MP for a Ministerial position is an elevation. According to him, it is a service to the nation in another capacity and not an elevation.
Source: Clement Akoloh || africanewsradio.com