<<Print>>

Health Minister designate Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor on Wednesday confessed that he has quit smoking in line with the principles of his new portfolio. The confession was made at the Speaker�s Conference Room during his vetting for the post of substantive Minister of Health. Minority Leader Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu expressed concern over the possible dissonance that may arise if he, known to be a cigarette smoker, championed a �no smoking� campaign by the Ministry of Health, a position he is about to head. But Dr. Kumbuor said: �I am sure it will be grateful to notice that I have actually given it up and there is an honourable member of the house who can testify to that.� He said he is committed to a tobacco free society, a position he championed when he was in parliament. It is the second time Dr. Kumbuor was facing the committee in less than ten months - the first was when he was appointed a deputy to Dr. George Sipa Yankey in the same sector. His boss resigned a few weeks ago over bribery allegations leveled against him, creating a vacuum and the subsequent promotion of Dr. Kumbuor. The minister designate in an interview with Joy FM�s Parliamentary Correspondent Sammy Darko said the vetting was longer than anticipated but was interesting notwithstanding.