Parliament Approves Kunbuor, Afotey-Agbo

PARLIAMENT has given its approval of two nominees by the President for ministerial positions.

The are Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, Minister of Health and Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo, who is designated for the Presidency.

Dr Kunbuor who is currently the Deputy Minister of Health replaces Dr Adja Sipa-Yankey, while Mr Joseph Nii Afotey-Agbo, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kpone-Katamanso replaces Alhaji Amadu Seidu.

The two ministers resigned in the wake of the M & J bribery scandal. The Speaker of Parliament, Mrs Joyce Bamford-Addo referred the nominations of Dr Kunbuor and Mr Afotey-Agbo to the Appointments Committee of Parliament for consideration and report on Tuesday, October 27, 2009.

Moving for the approval of the two nominees last Wednesday, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, said the committee took notice of the excellent performance and clarity of thought of Dr Kunbuor and unanimously recommended him for approval.

On Mr Afotey-Agbo, the chairman, who is also the First Deputy Speaker, said the committee was satisfied he had fully met the requirements of the Constitution and recommended him for approval by the House.

Mr Adjaho’s motion was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Mr Ambrose Dery, who urged Dr Kunbuor to use his immense knowledge to make an impact in the health sector.

For his part, the NPP MP for Manhyia, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, said he knew Mr Afotey-Agbo as someone who was skilled in conflict resolution, and urged the President to use him to solve conflicts raging in certain parts of the country.

The Member of Parliament for Adenta, Mr Kojo Adu Asare advised the two nominees to be servants, rather than lording their positions over their surbodinates.

He accused some ministers for adopting certain attitudes that defeated the purpose for which they were appointed to such high offices.

The NPP MP for New Juaben North, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, commended Mr Afotey-Agbo for his forthrightness during the vetting exercise, and urged him to continue to exhibit such qualities in his new office.

The NDC MP for North Tongu, Mr Charles Hodogbey, urged Dr Kunbour to make sure that the National Health Insurance Scheme covered all areas during his tenure of office.

He called on him to properly advise the Government about the viability or otherwise of the proposed one-time premium payment and the way forward.