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Health Minister-designate Mr Alex Segbefia has withdrawn the 'ethnic' statements in which he was said to have asked indigenes of the Volta region to use him while he was a Minister.

Addressing a gathering at the Dunenyo festival of the people of Tadzewu in the Ketu North District of the Volta region, at the weekend, Mr Segbefia asked indigenes of the Volta region to take advantage of his appointment in government to develop their region, Starrfmonline.com reported.

He was quoted as saying although he will be minister for all Ghanaians, he is mindful of the fact that he hails from the Volta region and therefore has a responsibility towards people from that region.

That statement attracted a number of condemnations with people saying it amounted to discrimination and ethnocentrism.

When Mr Segbefia appeared before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee to be vetted for his new position as Minister of Health on Monday morning and was asked about the statements, he decided to withdraw.

It was the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh who brought the nominee’s attention to the publication and asked him to clarify.

Mr Segbefia did not deny the statement and rather explained that, he said a lot of things at the forum and that if it offended other people, then he withdraw.

Responding, Mr Segbefia said his intention was not to offend any person but if the statement has done so, then he would like to withdraw.

“When ministers are being appointed, it is done on the basis of regional balance. And so there were many people who could have been chosen for this position but the lot fell on my head and so I do not look at it as a personal achievement but a regional achievement,” the former deputy defense minister stated at the festival.

He continued: “And so the region must understand that although I am minister of health for the whole country, I am also a minister of health who hails from the Volta region.”

“Ministerial positions are like football coaches and so you do not know when you will be changed so if you do not use me while I am there, don’t blame anybody tomorrow”.