FGJ opposes call for an inquest into Mills’ death

The Forum for Governance and Justice (FGJ) has opposed calls for an inquest into the death of the late President John Evans Atta Mills because such requests were not in consonance with the country’s laws.

A statement issued by Dr Clement A. Apaak, Convener, Forum for Governance and Justice – Ghana in Accra, said “while we respect the call by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) on President John Dramani Mahama to order a Presidential inquest into the cause of death of our late President, we are certain this sort of action is not the answer. Rather, it will generate the type of political frenzy the late President would not approve”.

It said “it is our position that as a nation, we must collectively decide whether the health of our elected leaders and those seeking such leadership positions should be prime consideration for qualification or disqualification as proposed by the Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Dr Emmanuel Akwetey. If we agree then we must make it a law.”

The statement said it was important for health checks to be included as a condition for leadership and that the medical examination of those seeking high elected office should be conducted by a certified health facility of high repute.

It said “the FGJ agrees with Dr Opoku Adusei of the GMA when he called for a change in the current law which states that State takes care of the Presidents till they die, but there is no law that mandates the health of President to be made public.”

Source: GNA