Communication team member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Michael Ofosuhene, has asked for pardon for Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman-Manu over the botched Sputnik-V vaccine agreement.
He argued that there was ill-intent on the part of the Minister when he entered into the agreement because the country was faced with a health emergency.
Appearing on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, he said there is no justification for the failure to seek parliamentary and Cabinet approval but it is also too early to crucify the Minister.
His reason was that the Minister took steps to have the money paid to the middleman in the deal retrieved.
The move he suggested was apt and shows that the Minister had no ill motive.
The focus of the Minister was to help save lives and that was crucial for Ghana and considering the limited time we had, he took a decision to help save lives.
”I am not here to defend what he did but the Minister has also taken the steps to retrieve the money. He admitted his wrong when he appeared before the Committee that probed the matter. That is why we have to forgive or pardon him,” he appealed.
To him, the Minister has achieved a lot for the Health sector and this issue should not be used to judge his performance.
”The Minister was trying to help this country, but we also know that as a sector Minister, if want to procure goods and services, it would have to go through parliament for approval. The Minister explained why we needed the vaccines urgently hence his decision not to have gone to parliament for approval. He has been candid, and we have to forgive him.”
By: Rainbvowradioonline.com
