Parliament vets two deputy ministerial designates

Accra, March 12, GNA - Two deputy ministers designates, on Thursday appeared before the appointment committee of Parliament to prove their worth for the executive positions.

They are Dr Mustapha Ahmed, Deputy Minister designate, for Water Resources Works and Housing and Mr San Nasamu Asabigi, Deputy Minister designate for the Northern Region. Dr Ahmed who was the first to appear before the committee expressed the need for research institutions to be well resourced to identify the measures the country could take to prevent the losing of water bodies.

Asked how his dental background could have an impact on his ministry, he said one of the causes of dental problems was the intake of water with high level of fluoride. He gave the assurance that communities affected with the cases of fluorosis will be provided with water with the requisite amount of fluoride. He said polluted water could result in bacteria infection that could affect the gum and the ligaments that hold them.

Dr Ahmed said when given the nod he would take a second look at RoofLoans and Wall Protection, which were facilities aimed at solving the accommodation problems in the North. He said the support would target northern communities whose houses were normally destroyed by rain storms yearly.

Mr Asabigi said the most trusted intervention in solving poverty and the Kayaye problem was to educate the girl child. He said the problems of the Northern Region were hydra-headed, adding that the 1994 ethnic conflict in the area had contributed to it.

He said fostering children of distant relations, family problems, competition among girls were some of the challenges facing the people. Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Minority Leader noted that the Northern region have been hit by many conflicts with political colorations and admonished Mr Asabigi not to muddy the waters when he gets the approval as Deputy Minister.

Mr Doe Adjaho, Chairman of the Vetting Committee said his experience as Deputy Regional Minister in the previous National Democratic Congress government should guide him to success.