Covid-19 situations in Ghana and the irresponsible conduct of some Members of Parliament towards fight against the Pandemic

NEWS COMMENTARY ON THE WORSENING COVID-19 SITUATIONS IN GHANA AND THE IRRESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF SOME MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT TOWARDS THE FIGHT AGAINST THE PANDEMIC. 

Ghana’s COVID-19 situation is moving from bad to worse at an alarming rate. Currently, there are 5,786 active cases with 433 deaths out of 68,559 total confirmed cases since the country recorded its first case about a year ago. From an average of about 170 daily infections, the country is now recording 700 cases each day. This is more than scary and calls for urgent action and measures to contain the situation. The worst part is that new variants, especially the UK and South African strains, are found in the country. These variants are far more deadly and easily transmissible than the earlier ones. This is why President Akufo-Addo needs to be commended for the new containment measures he announced in his 23rd update to the nation. The decision by the President to bring back restrictions is in order.  

However, the point must be made that banning funerals, weddings and other social gatherings are not enough to stop the spread of the disease. It cannot be argued sustainably that these social events are the major contributory factors to the rapid spread of the virus. From the president’s own address, analysis shows that enclosed areas with shouting and gatherings are responsible for the increases. That is why we need to question the logic in allowing churches, mosques and schools to operate fully. Again, markets and commercial vehicles are allowed to operate at full capacity. On the educational front, a number of cases have been reported in some schools since they resumed a couple of weeks ago. Asking the Ghana Education Service to step up activities to contain the disease will not yield any result. From the look of things, the schools were not ready for resumption.

Indeed, contrary to earlier statements, the schools have not been supplied with all the necessary logistics such as veronica buckets, liquid soaps, hand sanitizers, and face masks. It does appear the authorities rushed with the reopening of the schools. Ideally, there should have been a gradual reopening of schools starting from the top to the down. There is no gainsaying it was not the best of decisions to allow nursery, kindergarten and lower primary school children to go to school at this time when the virus is on the rampage. Government must therefore as a matter of urgency consider partially closing down schools at some of the levels. It is true that it will affect private schools but people losing their jobs is far better than people losing their lives. The alternative is for classes to be held under trees or in open spaces or a reintroduction of the shift system.  Instead of banning funerals and weddings and limiting private burials to 25 people, government should rather direct that such events be held in open spaces like stadia, parks or such other places which can allow for social distancing and free circulation of fresh air.

The truth is that it will be difficult for people to comply with these restrictions and what benefit shall it serve to make laws which may end up being observed rather in breach? The police may be there to ensure compliance but it is a well-known fact that the police service is understaffed and under resourced and therefore personnel cannot be at every place at every time to enforce the directive. The battle to win the war against the COVID-19 disease starts with knowing the true situation on the ground.

Many people are of the view that there may be far more cases than those officially reported. This is in view of the fact that the country is not mass testing its population. In this regard it is most likely a lot of people are walking with and spreading the disease unconsciously. It therefore behoves the authorities to focus on testing a lot more people, especially from institution to institution.  Government must also make it possible for every citizen to walk to any facility for free voluntary testing. It is imperative that those in leadership and positions of influence champion this voluntary testing idea.  That is why it is most regrettable and condemnable that some Members of Parliament have refused or failed to avail themselves for testing as directed by the Speaker of the House. The height of irresponsibility was the disclosure by the speaker that some of the MPs who tested positive and were made aware were still coming to Parliament and interacting with their colleagues and staff. This is a serious matter which the speaker should not take lightly. It is not enough for the speaker to just warn and threaten to publish their names if they do not self-isolate and follow the protocols. In fact, the speaker should name the fifty MPs who refused to take the test and some disciplinary action be taken against those who despite their positive status were still moving around, thereby endangering the lives of others. The war against COVID 19 cannot be won if people at the highest echelon of society conduct themselves in such an irresponsible manner.

While at it, government should hasten the process to procure the vaccines as promised. That appears to be the major hope out of this predicament. Thankfully, the Food and Drugs Authority has recently given approval for the clinical trial of the first herbal medicine for the treatment of the virus. It is our prayer that the herbal medicine developed by researchers from the school of public health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology will prove to be effective and efficacious. Apart from the respite it will bring to us, it will also save the country the millions of dollars it has to spend buying vaccines from the US, Russia or China.  Yes, this one too shall pass because the battle is still the Lord’s. 

By Bubu Klinogo, a Journalist.