Parliament approves Dr Okoe-Boye as Deputy Health Minister

Parliament has approved the nomination of Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, the Member of Parliament for the Ledzokuku Constituency as a Deputy Health of Minister.

The unanimous approval of Dr Okoe-Boye followed the recommendation of the Appointments Committee which vetted the first-time lawmaker in Accra on Wednesday.

Dr Okoe-Boye endured a four-hour grilling from the 25-man committee chaired by First Deputy Speaker and Member for Bekwai, Joseph Osei-Owusu, with questions largely on the deadly coronavirus disease.

The committee in its report recommended that Parliament approve the nominee by consensus. 

Presenting the Committee’s report via a motion to plenary in Accra yesterday, Mr Osei-Owusu said the nominee was fit to occupy the office of Deputy Minister.

He said as a practicing medical practitioner, Dr Okoe-Boye understood the health sector and was prepared to deliver in his new capacity.

In his comment to support the motion, North Tongu MP and a member of the committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the timing of Dr Okoe-Boye’s appointment should be a challenge to him.

“He is going to the Health Ministry at a defining moment in history. The entire nation is looking forward to the young doctor helping the nation find a solution. We can only wish Dr Oko-Boye well,” he said.

Abuakwa South Member and Minister for Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea, dismissed what he said was a perception that the nominee was a ‘Covid-19 Minister.’

“There is an impression that Dr Okoe-Boye is a Covid-19 Minister…it is not so. He is being nominated as a Deputy Health Minister and we shouldn’t be fixated with the whole issue of Covid-19.

I want that impression corrected. I have no doubt that he will serve in that position very well.” 

The Speaker of Parliament Prof. Aaron Mike Ocquaye, after putting the question which received a sweeping ‘yes’, congratulated Dr Okoe-Boye and urged him to give out his best.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in line with Article 79 of the 1992 Constitution nominated the 38-year old medical doctor to replace Alexander Kodwo Kom Abban who has been reassigned as a Deputy Communications Minister.

The House, which has been on an indefinite suspension, was recalled by Prof. Oquaye on Wednesday to consider the report of the committee on the nominee.