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The outgoing Minister of Health, Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, on Monday failed to appear before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Government Assurances to state why the government had not fulfilled promises made to complete some projects in the health sector by 2014.

The failure of the Minister to appear before the committee, the second in three weeks, has drawn the ire of members who regard his conduct as disrespectful and a snub.

As of noon Monday, the committee was meeting behind closed doors to determine what punishment to mete out to the minister.

Background

The Minister of Finance, in the 2013 and 2014 budget presentation, gave some assurances in respect of the commencement and completion of some health infrastructural projects in the country.

This was corroborated by the Minister of Health. The projects include the construction of the Maternity Block of the Tafo Government Hospital, the rehabilitation of the Children's Block of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), the installation of new MRI and CT scan machines at the hospital, completion of the Eye Centre of the Techimantia Polyclinic and the construction of the Bomaa and Kwatire Polyclinics in the Brong Ahafo Region.

However, a visit to the sites by the committee revealed that some of the projects had not been completed.

In the case of the Tafo Government Hospital for instance, the committee found that the project was on hold and a lot of the window panels procured were unused because they did not fit the design of the building.

With regard to the KATH Children's Block project, the committee found that an amount of $100 million was needed to complete and install equipment and furniture.

It was revealed, during the tour, that although the MRI and CT scan machines had been installed and were in use, the MRI machine did not have a work station leading to loss of revenue.

Helium gas for the MRI was found to be at a low threshold and needed to be replaced within two weeks at the time of the visit. 

Dr Agyemang - Mensah was invited more than two months ago and the meeting had been scheduled for February 25, 2015 but he failed to appear.

He also failed to state in writing to the committee why he could not be available.

Later, he wrote to the Chairman of the committee,  Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzra, and sought a rescheduling  of the meeting.

Both parties agreed that Monday, March 16 would be most convenient. 

However, the minister failed to show up.

Committee's proceedings

After waiting for about two hours for the Minister, members of the committee expressed their frustrations at the conduct of the Minister and called for sanctions.

They said the "axe" needed to "fall" on the Minster, adding that it would serve as a deterrent to others who might have the intention of treating the committee in a similar manner. 

While they deliberated on the issue, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Mr Sylvester Anemana, the Director of Capital Investment , Mr Ben Nkansah and one other gentlemen introduced simply as Adukurugu,  the Director of Administration and Legal Affairs at the ministry arrived. 

Mr Anemana explained that the minister traveled to a conference in Niger and returned Sunday only to hear of a reshuffle. 

"We tried to contact him today but could not get him. We were informed that he is attending an emergency meeting at the Flagstaff House. His deputy is also at a Health Insurance conference in Taiwan," he said.

But the members rejected that explanation and said the committee needed to "bite hard."

The three officials from the Ministry were subsequently dismissed by the committee.

The Committee on Government Assurances

Standing Order 174 ( 2 ) of Parliament mandates the Committee to pursue all assurances, promises and undertakings given by ministers and to take a follow - up action to see the extent to which such assurances are implemented and whether such implementation has taken place within the minimum time necessary for the purpose. 

The committee's responsibility and transparency in the fulfillment of promises and assurances made by ministers of state is to instill trust and hope in Ghanaians and to ensure the growth of Ghana' s democracy.