Former Minister of Health, Bernard Okoe Boye, has expressed alarm over the public handling of findings from the investigative report into the death of Engineer Charles Amissah. He has cautioned against drawing conclusions before the full document is thoroughly reviewed.
Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV on Thursday, May 7, Dr Okoe Boye emphasised the need for a measured and fair approach when discussing the findings, especially given the sensitivity of the matter and its potential implications for the individuals involved.
“You should have an issue when a committee that is speaking to the whole country makes categorical statements about individuals when we have not read the report to see the comments they made,” he said.
He also questioned the practice of making definitive public statements about individuals based on portions of a report that has not yet been fully examined.
According to him, in other countries, complete reports are published with detailed context and transcribed evidence. This enables the public to fully understand the basis of the findings before conclusions are reached.
However, Okoe Boye acknowledged the committee’s work but described it as a prima facie case, suggesting on the surface that the individuals may be at fault.
“That is why they are directing them to specific agencies. I don’t believe that those they have directed to, such as the GMA, will just say you’ve been directed here, you’ve been punished, go. Due process would still be followed,” he added.
His remarks come after concerns raised by the Ghana Medical Association over the handling of the report and the public naming of medical professionals implicated in the case.
The Association has cautioned that naming doctors in the findings has exposed them to public hostility, online attacks, and personal safety risks. It noted that disciplinary processes should be handled in a way that protects professionals while ensuring accountability.