The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) is alarmed by the Minister of Health’s absence from the government’s emergency committee, which was formed to plan relief efforts in the wake of the most recent water spill from the Akosombo and Kpong dams.
Communities along the Volta Basin have suffered severe destruction as a result of this spill.
A 13-person inter-ministerial committee was established to manage the disaster’s aftermath and coordinate government efforts in response to the devastation the spillage caused.
Even though they assert that the Ministry of Health plays a crucial role in disaster relief efforts, the GMA has drawn attention to the obvious absence of Kwaku Agyemang-Manu from this important committee.
The association emphasized that essential elements of a response to a disaster of this nature include the provision of emergency healthcare and support, prevention of potential outbreaks of water-borne diseases, effective risk communication, and ensuring the continuity of essential health services.
The GMA welcomed the creation of the Inter-ministerial Committee to address the flooding and related issues in a statement issued on October 16, 2023.
To ensure a thorough and efficient response to the ongoing crisis, they nevertheless urgently urged the government to correct this oversight and include the Minister of Health in the committee.
“We have noted the exclusion of the Minister of Health from this Committee even though the Ministry of Health will play a central role in relief efforts. The provision of emergency healthcare and support, prevention of possible outbreaks of water-borne diseases, risk communication and ensuring continuity of essential health services are fundamental to a response of this nature.”
“We therefore call on the government to immediately include the Minster of Health as a matter of urgency,” portions of the GMA statement read.
