THE NUMBER TWO MAN'S HEALTH; THE BIG BOYS EXCITEMENT, A SOURCE OF NATIONAL TENSION.

An anonymous quote goes thus ,".....wrong seems not to be wrong when majority is involved in it", this has been the case of African leaders who must go abroad for medical Vacation or treatment. And so Vice president Muhamudu Bawumia is not the first and won't be the last. But the presidency's inability to communicate in details his health Development as requested by some Ghanian folks is seemingly worrisome.

Hiding the health status of public figures is not esoteric to African states alone. Even America is a culprit..., how can I forget Woodrow Wilson who suffered from hypertension, severe headaches, double vision and series of stroke. The discovery of this led to the instigation of the 25th Amendment. John F Kennedy also kept his incurable disease a secret. Of course, keeping this secret cannot be without the help of pals in government.

The response of Majority Leader in Parliament who also doubles as a Minister - Osei Kyei's response to Minority leader who I believe echoed the thoughts of some concerned Ghanians in seeking clarity on Bawumia's health certainly disturbs a sane mind. His words were " NDC will get what what they refused to give....., when the NPP then in opposition was seeking details of former late president John Atta Mill's medical report and what led to his death, they never gave it out. Why are they still keeping the report of Mill's death?"

The above rejoinder from Mensah is interestingly unfortunate as it throws up rhetorical questions such as;
1. Should the number two man's health promote a ground for scores settling?
2. Should the information on health status of public holders be kept a secret from concerned fellow countrymen?

The number two man must be awake  and readily available to hold the fort for president when need arises and so this makes his well being important. Poor handling and communication of the health status of Top Government Officials is one area Africa and the world must improved. Failure in doing this, results in excitement for those it benefit and also whether openly or tacitly become a national tension. I hope Osei Mensah takes caution.

WRITTEN BY: CHRISTOPHER OHIAFI