Ghana’s Minister of Health, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has been summoned to appear before Parliament within one week to brief the House on the recent outbreaks of cholera and cerebrospinal meningitis.
The summon follows an appeal by Minority Leader, Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who expressed concern over the rising number of cases and deaths in his constituency. According to Mr Afenyo-Markin, also the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Effutu, over 400 cholera cases had been recorded in Effutu, resulting in three deaths, while 14 deaths had been reported from the cerebrospinal meningitis outbreak in the Upper West Region.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also called for the deployment of supportive staff to the Winneba Health Facility to help contain the outbreak. “Mr Speaker, the facilities there are very stressed. Most of these cases are coming from the shelves. The central government must immediately intervene to save lives,” he said.
The First Deputy Speaker, Mr Bernard Ahiafor, who presided was presiding over proceedings at the time on Tuesday directed the Health Minister to appear before Parliament.
“We need the Minister of Health to appear before the house within one week to brief the house on all the health issues raised on the floor,” he directed.
The Minister’s appearance before Parliament is expected to provide clarity on the government’s response to the outbreaks and its plans to prevent further spread of the diseases.
GNA