During a press conference on Monday, October 13, Mr. Akandoh announced that Cabinet had approved financial clearance for various categories of health professionals, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.

However, at a counter press conference, the Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health and MP for Effiduase-Asokore, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, disputed the minister’s assertions, describing them as deceptive.

According to Dr. Afriyie, the financial clearance for the recruitment of health professionals expired on December 31, 2024, under the previous administration, and the Mahama government failed to renew it.

He further alleged that although the former government had made budgetary allocations for the recruitment of 15,000 health workers, only about 7,000 to 8,000 were engaged before the change in administration.

The remaining personnel, he said, were later employed by the Ghana Health Service despite the expiration of their clearances.

The Minority argued that funds for the recruitment were already available, questioning the rationale behind the Health Minister’s decision to seek Cabinet approval for payments to the affected workers.

He asked, “Why didn’t the government see the need to seek an extension? Money was allocated for 15,000; you came in 7,000, and almost 8,000 have started. The remaining were employed by GHS. Albeit they were late, they were at post.

“You didn’t see the need to tell the institutions to reject them. Neither did the institutions tell you to reject them. What it meant was that they filled the gap and needed to be at post, and the institutions used them. Embarrassingly enough, you’re saying that you have taken it to the cabinet for approval. What sort of cabinet approval do you need when you have clearance already?”

Dr. Afriyie further accused the government of attempting to conceal what he described as “a mess” in the management of health sector employment issues.

“He’s throwing dust into the eyes of the people. The government created a mess, and they have seen that ten months have caught up with them, and they are fixing it,” he claimed.

The Minority reiterated that the Health Minister’s comments were misleading and urged him to provide the public with accurate information regarding the status of financial clearances and arrears payments for health professionals.

Source: Adomonline

In an emotional interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Dr. Afriyie, who is a cousin of the late minister, revealed he was the only son of his mother—a development he says makes the loss even more painful.

According to him, he cannot fathom how Dr. Boamah left home on Wednesday morning for national duty, unaware it would be his final goodbye.

“You just left the house this morning, and everybody was saying, you know, ‘bye to Daddy,’ thinking that Daddy will come back home,” he said, his voice cracking. “I just don’t know how Rita and the family are taking it. It’s devastating.”

Dr. Afriyie confirmed that Dr. Boamah had three children, adding with sorrow, “He was the only child of his mother. This is just too painful.”

He described Dr. Boamah as a genuine, hard-working man whose death leaves a heavy void not only in his family but also in national service.

“You just can’t say you don’t like him. Kofi is genuine. I’m just shocked. I’m just shocked.”

Recounting one of their recent interactions, the MP revealed that the minister had attended a Defence and Interior Committee sitting in Parliament just last week.

“I didn’t know that would be the last time I would be speaking to my brother,” he noted.

Dr. Afriyie also touched on how closely connected Dr. Boamah was to people across professions, including a senior journalist battling leukemia who had leaned on the late minister for financial support.

“He was more than a politician; he was a friend, a brother.”

Reflecting on the weight of public service, Dr. Afriyie questioned why tragedy should strike those who simply sought to serve their country with integrity.

“What at all will calm the children down? I just don’t. You want to make a good name. He was very promising, very promising. Why should this happen?”

The helicopter crash claimed eight lives, including Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and is being described by government as a national tragedy.

Other victims included Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, NDC Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, former Obuasi East parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

Source: Gertrude Otchere

ALSO READ:

• GAF airlifts remains of helicopter crash victims to Accra

• GNFS joins probe into military helicopter crash that claimed eight lives 

On this stand-off between GRNMA and the government, it was the thinking of the Minority not to take a partisan position until such a time that the rights of our hard-working nurses had been totally disregarded by the government.

In this instance, we decided to present an urgent statement on the floor, coming under Order 93(i).

This Order allows for all issues of urgent national importance to be admitted by the Speaker.

Nonetheless, and for fear of the unknown, our friends on the other side of the House thought we were going to stoke up the highly volatile situation by attacking the government and supporting the strike.

This was not our call. Indeed, the joint statement written by the Second Deputy Chief Whip, Jerry Ahmed, and me, as I read, was nothing more than asking the government to be sensitive to the rights of the GRNMA, while at the same time asking the GRNMA to be merciful to Ghanaians as they seek their rights.

Ultimately, the Minority’s posture — and for that matter, the NPP’s parliamentary party posturing — respectfully prevailed on the day the Health Committee met the stakeholders.

In attendance were the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and his team, Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Ampem Darko and his team, the Fair Wages Commission CEO, Dr. George Smith-Graham, representatives, and the powerful team of the GRNMA.

Thank God, the Minority’s position became the common position of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health.

To all those who thought we were going to be an insensitive Minority by playing politics at first hand with this very delicate situation — arguably, you have been disappointed!

The statement I read, which also became another issue for admission in the House on that fateful Wednesday, June 11, 2025, speaks for itself.

Be it as it may, the Minority at the Committee sitting made it clear that if, in two weeks — that is, the 26th June meeting — the government does not reciprocate the gesture of goodwill in line with the proposals the Committee put forward, then the caucus will have no choice but to go all out with the GRNMA until their concerns are fully addressed.

Folks, we couldn’t have started off by being very political on this sensitive issue. In 2020, when the GRNMA went on a two-week strike, the NDC took advantage of it. We did not.

Nevertheless, if we are prevailed upon to do so come the 26th of June meeting, we will live up to expectations. Blessings to you!

The decision comes amid rising tensions between the Minority and First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, whose handling of the matter nearly led to a physical confrontation.

The uproar erupted on June 10 when Dr. Ayew Afriyie, who serves as Ranking Member on the Health Committee, attempted to present an urgent statement on the strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), which has disrupted healthcare services nationwide since June 4.

First Deputy Speaker Ahiafor, presiding over the House, blocked the move on procedural grounds and ordered the MP’s ejection after he continued to press for a hearing. His action triggered strong protests from the Minority side.

In his remarks to Parliament on Thursday, Speaker Bagbin acknowledged the seriousness of the nurses’ strike but chastised Dr. Afriyie for sidestepping established leadership procedures.

He emphasized that urgent statements must go through the proper channels, stressing that the title ‘Honourable’ is not merely symbolic but carries a duty of decorum and respect for the chair.

The Speaker, however, stopped short of initiating disciplinary measures.

Meanwhile, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has pledged his side’s full cooperation with the Speaker to maintain order and uphold parliamentary procedure.

ALSO READ:

• Parliament summons GUTA, others over refusal to reduce prices

• GRNMA strike: Parliament abruptly adjourned amid Minority’s anger

This was disclosed by the Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen.

Although he did not provide a specific date for the visit or name the members of the delegation, Dr. Afriyie indicated that the initiative has Wontumi’s full backing.

“I spoke to Wontumi and suggested that we should go and beg, and he agreed. So we are ready to go and apologise to President Mahama. We will plead with him to exercise restraint,” he said.

Chairman Wontumi is currently under investigation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for alleged financial offences, including fraud and money laundering.

The Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai, has also linked the matter to a possible international organised crime syndicate.

Wontumi spent nearly six days in EOCO custody following his arrest on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. All initial attempts to secure his release on bail proved futile.

He was eventually granted bail on June 2, 2025, after meeting the bail conditions of GH₵50 million with two sureties to be justified.

• Chairman Wontumi finally released by EOCO
• Wontumi’s detention: I have blocked Appiah-Kubi; I won’t talk to him…
• Wontumi’s detention: Why GH¢50m bail is not excessive – Martin Kpebu…
• If Chairman Wontumi is not released by 6pm, there’ll be problems…

Led by former Chairman of the Health Committee and MP for Effiduase/Asokore, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, the Minority insists that Dr. Forson must retract his statement, which they argue unfairly tarnishes the NHIA’s operations.

Dr. Forson, speaking at the opening of the National Economic Dialogue, cited financial shortfalls and alleged misuse of resources as major factors undermining the efficiency of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

He also claimed that the scheme no longer receives its full allocation from the National Health Insurance Levy as required by law.

In response, Dr. Afriyie accused the NDC government of backtracking on its campaign promise to uncap the NHIL. He urged the party to fulfill its commitment rather than make unfounded accusations.

“The NDC must not run away from their own commitment to uncap the NHIL as they promised. Ghanaians are still waiting for them to deliver,” he stated.

The Minority maintains that Dr. Forson’s remarks are misleading and should be withdrawn to preserve public confidence in the NHIA.

READ ALSO:

• Asumura health centre workers demand urgent repairs
• Regina Oppong advocates inclusive education for persons with visual impairment
• One-year-olds among those raped during Sudan civil war – UN

The Middle-Belt Coordinator for the Bawumia Campaign is confident the 99 seats will include 15 new constituencies.

Dr Afriyie expressed his optimism while addressing journalists with barely 24 hours to the election.

“We have put all the necessary structures in place to secure a resounding win in both the presidential and parliamentary elections.

“We can state emphatically that after an exhaustive and comprehensive campaign across all the 6 regions, the NPP is set to win a total of 99 seats in Ashanti, Eastern, Bono East, Ahafo, Western North and Eastern Regions,” he stated.

Hon. Ayew Afriyie outlined the party’s strategy, revealing five major indicators driving their optimism in the middle belt.

Among these is the goal of flipping key constituencies, including the Tain Constituency, the home of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairman, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia.

The MP further projected 51% of total votes for the NPP in the middle belt.

Dr Ayew admitted the party faced some setbacks during their campaign but prevailed due to hard work.

Meanwhile, he urged all Ghanaians to go out in their numbers and vote massively for the NPP.

“We want to assure all Ghanaians, especially voters in the 6 regions under the middle belt zone that they have nothing to worry about because their security is fully assured, they must go to their polling stations and cast their ballots for the NPP and Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia without fear or intimidation,” he said.

ALSO READ:

• 2024 election: It’ll be difficult for NPP to get 76% votes in Ashanti region

• Police commend NPP, NDC after peaceful rallies in Accra

Dr Afriyie was reported to have said that the NPP government would not end galamsey because doing so would harm the party’s chances in the upcoming December general elections.

However, he claims that his remarks were distorted.

In a letter sent to the NMC by his lawyers, he alleged that certain media houses, particularly Media General, unprofessionally edited and misrepresented his statements, with the intent of causing public disaffection and damaging his reputation as a medical doctor, politician, and MP.

According to JoyNews’ Kweku Asante, in a discussion with the MP’s legal team, the lawyers stated they are awaiting a response from the NMC after the complaint was forwarded to Media General for their input.

He said a letter from the NMC to Media General has also been seen, asking the media house to address the matter.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Medical Association has been petitioned to haul before its disciplinary committee and sanction Dr Afriyie, for daring to stand against the common position of the association in its call to ban illegal mining.

The petitioner, Dr (Med) Samuel Ayeh, a member of the GMA, wants the MP to be hauled before the disciplinary committee to answer questions and be severely sanctioned to “send the strongest of signals about the association’s commitment to the fight against illegal mining” and “most importantly signal to all members of the association the need to maintain high ethical standards befitting of medical practitioners in Ghana.”

In his plea to the GMA, Dr Ayeh emphasised that Dr Afriyie’s stance on galamsey contradicts the association’s official position on the matter.

Source: Prince Adu-Owusu

READ ALSO:

• NPP MP warns against banning galamsey, says it risks losing seats
• Trust the EC if you want, but… – Franklin Cudjoe to political parties
• 2024 elections: Mahama confident in polls but warns against complacency

According to him, the move was to avert the shutting down the Renal Unit which he said cannot operate at the current cost.

“They [Renal Unit] have a peculiar issue, they cannot operate at the current cost. Their hands are tied up because consumables are very expensive” the Effiduase Asokore MP explained.

He revealed that, Health Committee will be meeting with the management of Korle-Bu, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the Ministry of Health to deliberate on the appropriate charges for dialysis treatment.

The MP said the hospital has been instructed not to charge the new fees.

“Be it as it may, when they bring their proposal, we will sit with the Ministry and NHIA and then there’s a way that there can be additional subsidy or cost can be taken care of for some other people, we will do that. But for now, we cannot blame Korle-Bu, I have realised that I wouldn’t blame them on any day. The law says that they should come for parliamentary approval of fees. We don’t want the place to be shut down, in the latter case, I will go for mercy, we can’t shut down the place. We have told them to continue to work and bring their proposal and contract. We don’t expect them to charge the new fees because it has not come to Parliament,” he said in an interview on Citi FM.

Dr. Afriyie expressed appreciation to First Sky for supporting kidney patients over the years.

“We need to say that First Sky, a private entity whose social responsibility is to subsidize healthcare for patients who cannot afford it, they are doing very well,” he remarked.

The Renal Unit has been closed to outpatients since May 22, 2023, forcing patients to seek dialysis services elsewhere.

The Renal Patients Association has made an urgent plea to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to reopen its renal unit for outpatient services.

ALSO READ:

• Ghana Kidney Association to engage stakeholders to make dialysis affordable

• Over 90% of Ghanaian kidney failure patients not on dialysis

• A race against time: Unveiling Ghana’s kidney crisis