Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda and former Deputy Minister for Health, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has suggested that the current leadership of the Health and Agriculture ministries would have been better suited if their roles were reversed.
According to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker, if he were President of the Republic, he would appoint Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to head the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), while assigning the current Agriculture Minister, Eric Opoku, to the Health Ministry.
Speaking in an interview on Atinka TV, Mr. Acquah argued that both ministers appear more aligned with the sectors opposite to the portfolios they currently oversee.
“If I were to be President, I would make Kwabena Mintah Akandoh the Agric Minister and Eric Opoku the Health Minister,” the former Deputy Health Minister stated.
Mr. Acquah further explained that his preference for Mr. Akandoh at the Agriculture Ministry was based on what he described as the Health Minister’s passion and involvement in farming, particularly rice cultivation.
He claimed that Mr. Akandoh, in his private life, is widely known for rice farming and would have been better positioned to help improve Ghana’s rice production and support government efforts toward food sufficiency.
According to him, the Health Ministry under Mr. Akandoh’s leadership has struggled significantly, prompting his belief that the minister would perform better in the agricultural sector.
“If I happened to be the President, I would assign Minta Akandoh to the Agric Ministry because he has collapsed the health sector,” Mr. Acquah alleged during the interview.
With regard to Eric Opoku, Mr. Acquah said the Agriculture Minister possesses the humility, modesty, and good humour needed to effectively manage the health sector.
He argued that Mr. Opoku would have handled issues within the health sector far better than Mr. Akandoh, whom he accused of contributing to the decline of the sector through his leadership style.
Mr. Acquah further claimed that despite serving as the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Select Committee on Food and Agriculture while in opposition, Eric Opoku has not made any significant impact at the Agriculture Ministry since assuming office.
According to him, Mr. Opoku made several criticisms and pronouncements against the erstwhile Akufo-Addo administration regarding the agricultural sector, but has failed to deliver after being given the opportunity to manage the ministry.
The Akyem Oda MP also expressed the view that Eric Opoku has the ability to approach issues decisively and diplomatically in a manner that health professionals would appreciate.
In contrast, he accused Mr. Akandoh of being bossy and pompous, alleging that the Health Minister has been quick to sack or suspend doctors over what he described as minor and insignificant issues.
“The Eric Opoku that I know has wisdom, a pure heart and good manners to approach the issues confronting the health sector and would have done something significant to salvage the situation without sacking or suspending doctors,” Mr. Acquah stated.
The comments are expected to trigger renewed political debate over the performance and competence of ministers under the current administration.
Mr. Acquah, who previously served at the Health Ministry, has in recent months become increasingly vocal on governance issues, particularly matters relating to healthcare delivery, economic management, and public sector leadership.
His latest remarks also come at a time when the government continues to face criticism from sections of the opposition over challenges confronting both the health and agricultural sectors, including concerns about food prices, farmer support systems, hospital infrastructure, and the availability of medical supplies.
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who currently serves as Minister for Health, has been leading the implementation of government healthcare policies, while Eric Opoku, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, has been spearheading initiatives aimed at boosting food production and supporting farmers across the country.
The remarks by the Akyem Oda MP may further intensify partisan debate over the effectiveness of government appointments and whether professional background and practical experience should play a greater role in ministerial selections.
By 1960news.com
