The Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid, has defended government’s decision to fly Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia to the United Kingdom, saying he is there to take a rest, after he fell ill last Friday.
According to him, the decision was to ensure the Dr. Bawumia was kept away from visitors who may hamper his rest and recuperation period.
Dr. Bawumia left Ghana for the United Kingdom on Friday night on medical leave after the Presidency indicated that he had taken ill earlier in the day and was undergoing medical checks.
A further statement from the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, indicated that the trip became necessary following the advice of Dr. Bawumia’s doctors.
The statement did not specify if the trip was for rest or further medical attention.
The government faced some criticism for flying the Vice President, with some indicating that it was an indictment of Ghana’s healthcare system.
But speaking to Citi News, Mustapha Hamid explained that the move was simply to keep the Dr. Bawumia from well-wishers who would also serve as a hindrance to his recovery.
“When he is in Ghana, people will come from his village; from Walewale, from Gambaga. Wherever he is in Ghana, people will still besiege him to visit him. Even me, I would think that if I don’t go and visit him, he may think that Mustapha didn’t come and see me and etc.”
“Normally, when you are outside their reach, then you are able to rest properly and have a total recovery because if you are here and you are getting medical attention, people will still besiege your house or your hospital bed or whatever,” the Information Minister stated.
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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
