Women question Medical Council's position

Accra, Oct. 13, GNA - Women belonging to the Christian Professionals' Fellowship (CPF), a non-profit organisation, on Monday appealed to President John Agyekum Kufuor to set up an independent body to go into a case of professional misconduct brought by the Medical and Dental Council against Dr Eric Ntiamoah Mensah, a Leading Member of CPF. The group said Dr Ntiamoah was being made to suffer because of his determination to heed President Kufuor's call to stay at home and develop the country.

Ms Selina Azu, a Senior member of CPF, told a news conference in Accra, that Dr Ntiamoah has been summoned to appear before a Penal Cases Committee of the Medical Council to answer charges related to the publication of "The Complete Woman", in "The Mirror".

"Dr Eric Ntiamoah Mensah, an Officer of CPF, has been accused of attracting business unfairly by the Ghana Medical and Dental Council. But the question that is boggling the minds of CPF members is that, does Dr Ntiamoah constitute CPF. It must be stated categorically that CPF is a legal entity," Ms Azu said.

Ms Azu said CPF's publications in "The Mirror" and other medical activities headed by Dr Ntiamaoh sought to educate and promote women's health, yet it was being "stabbed".

She said President Kufuor in his wisdom to promote women's welfare established the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs to give women a voice.

She said CPF would not bow down to the intimidation of the forces that always want to keep women behind.

Some women, including students of the Institute of Professional Studies and a cancer patient, who had benefited from CPF's services gave testimonies and appealed to the Council to take a second look at its stance on Dr Ntiamoah.

Professor Paul Nyame, Chairman of the Medical and Dental Council, told the Ghana News Agency that the conduct of Dr Ntiamoah was found to be contrary to the Professional Conduct and Ethics (Guide and Regulations) of 1975 by a Penal Cases Committee, which had subsequently asked him to appear before the Disciplinary Committee.

He said the Council was dealing with Dr Ntiamoah as professional and not CPF, adding that he had appeared only once before the Disciplinary Committee, which had not taken any decision yet. Prof Nyame said he had great admiration for Ghanaian women and would not do anything against their interest, however, it was in the common interest of all that rules and regulations were enforced.