Audio By Carbonatix
The Minister of Health has courted the anger of Parliament for daring to begin clinical trials for the deadly ebola disease without notifying the people's representatives.
The angry MPs unanimously demanded the cessation of the trials with the minister hauled before Parliament to explain why he took such a bold decision without informing Parliament.
The Ministry was set to begin the trials in the Volta Region having already located volunteers some of whom were said to have been promised 200 cedis and a mobile phone each as an incentive to participate in the trials.
But the action by the minister has not only provoked fear and panic in the region where the trials were to take place but has got MPs all the more angry.
On the floor of Parliament Wednesday, the MPs took turns to condemn the clinical trials for a deadly virus which has claimed over 4000 lives mostly in three African countries- Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
"How do we try such a deadly and unthinkable disease we have prayed against?" Have we finished trying it on rats mice and chimpanzees; are we inviting the virus in this country? We shouldn't suspend; it should be stopped," one MP fired on the floor.
Adansi Asokwa MP, KT Hammond described the decision to go ahead with the clinical trial as "silly."
"The minister must appear to answer before the House why he allowed this trial without informing Parliament," he said.
Another MP said this cannot be allowed to go on in the country without Parliament knowing about it.
"The matter is so serious," he stated, and pleaded with the Speaker of Parliament to give directions for the cessation of the trials.
Speaker Doe Adjaho heard the cries of the MPs and directed the trials be halted immediately.
He also directed the Minister of Health Alex Segbefia to appear before the business committee of Parliament to answer why the trials were approved without any word to Parliament.
He said Parliament is not against the scientific research but for such a trial to be undertaken, due process must be followed.
"The process should be suspended till further notice," he ordered.
Joy News' Parliamentary correspondent Elton John Brobbey reported that Parliament may have indirectly empowered the clinical trial to be undertaken in Ghana following the passage of the Public Health Act in 2012.
The Act allows such trials to be undertaken in Ghana.
Asked why Parliament is criticizing the implementation of a law it has passed, MP for Ho Central Benjamin Kpodo said the House is not against the trials per se but it is questioning the procedures being used.
"We are not against research institutions undertaking clinical trial...we have to differentiate between vaccine trials like polio and the one for ebola.
"If you have polio I will hold your hand but for ebola i will run," he stated.
He also questioned the 200 cedis and mobile phone incentive being given to the volunteers of the ebola.
Latest Stories
-
NACOC arrests 10 KTU students over cannabis-infused drinks, ice cream during SRC Week
5 minutes -
Zoomlion assures MMDA fumigation workers of payment of salary arrears
9 minutes -
Ghana’s used-vehicle import reforms are necessary, but the policy needs fine-tuning
22 minutes -
MTN enhances MoMo security as daily transactions hit 23 million
23 minutes -
Ghana Gas delivers strong 2025 results with 97% profit growth; Jinapor urges continued investment
29 minutes -
COPEC welcomes GH¢2 diesel subsidy but urges gov’t to pursue long-term fuel strategy
35 minutes -
Writers must tell Africa’s story through literature and local languages – Vice President to PAWA Ghana delegation
40 minutes -
Stop harassing opposition, Ghana is bigger than any party – Minority to gov’t
45 minutes -
The Supreme Court has Opened the Door. Parliament must now Reform Ghana’s Political Finance Architecture
46 minutes -
GoldBod debunks claim of GH¢200m loss, says Dominic Bonsu was not Sammy Gyamfi’s bodyguard
48 minutes -
BoG warns against 20 unlicensed mobile loan apps
56 minutes -
Mahama orders strategic plan to double TOR capacity, end political interference
59 minutes -
Mahama directs review of TOR’s dollar-based crude oil payments
1 hour -
Betterland Ghana denies illegal mining allegations
1 hour -
AGI opens nominations for 15th Ghana Industry and Quality Awards       Â
1 hour