One Year Of Coronavirus In Ghana

NEWS COMMENTARY ON ONE YEAR OF CORONAVIRUS IN GHANA

Exactly a year ago, Ghana announced the first two recorded Coronavirus cases in the country. This was after few months that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared the disease a public health emergency of international concern. It became the highest level of alarm under international law. The WHO published an interactive timeline showcasing how the organization has taken action on information, science, leadership, advice, response and resourcing. A year on, Ghana’s Covid-19 death toll has reached 656, with active case standing at 4,782 with 272 new cases recorded, leading to 86,737 total confirmed cases. Experts are of the opinion that the figures might have been terrible but for the pragmatic and prudent measures put in by the Government, which was hailed across the globe. Ghana is said to have been one of the world’s best countries to have managed the spread of COVID-19 very well.

Indeed, the country’s leadership with respect to the control of the pandemic has been superb. WHO’s recommendation on Ghana’s efforts in stopping the spread is still echoing in our ears. Arguably, Ghana was the first African country to announce lockdown and also closing all its borders. The restrictions in attendance to churches, mosques, restaurants, and other recreational centers, schools, and universities ban on conferences, political rallies, festivals, and sporting events as measures to help curb the diseases spread proved positive. The government instituted the wearing of face masks as mandatory in line with WHO recommendations. Social distancing was encouraged. All these were religiously adhered to in the early days of COVID-19. Schools and universities were closed as pupils and students were encouraged to stay home whiles teaching and learning continued via technological means. The quick intervention with respect to the provision of new health facilities and the augmentation of the existing ones to help curb the spread as well as ensuring the cure of citizens who were already victims of the virus were all intriguing and fascinating as well as commendable. The provision of basic amenities and needs such as food, water, electricity, among others to the vulnerable in society, especially during the lockdown periods, was a good show of leadership by the government. The Government also provided substantial stimulus packages to support individuals and organisations whose businesses have been affected by the COVID-19. This is not to say all was perfect. There were series of allegations of corruption and mismanagement against officers who led the rather prudent exercise. The quarantining of Ghanaians who were returning home for a fee, for instance, was very much spoken against.

The National COVID-19 Trust Fund Institution provided the opportunity for benevolent Ghanaian institutions, churches, and individuals to assist the Government in logistics and financial terms to fight the disease. In just two months, a hooping amount of nearly 54 million Ghana Cedis had been raised. The National COVID-19 Task Force, as well as all regional and other task forces set up across the country, have done an unparalleled job to see the nation where we are now. The Ministers of Health and Information and their team regularly updated the citizenry on all information they needed to know. The Government of Ghana, led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, frequently and timely briefed the nation on where we are and what to do in his Sunday evening Nation Broadcast, which has been popularly referred to now as “Fellow Ghanaians.” All this while, an extensive search of a vaccine by the global community had been triggered. Precisely in June last year, the WHO welcomed the initial clinical trial results from the UK that show dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, and can be lifesaving for patients who are critically ill with COVID-19. A few weeks ago, Ghana received the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines through the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global vaccine-sharing program. The 600 thousand doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford University were manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, representing part of the first wave of COVID vaccines headed to several low and middle-income countries. The delivery is part of the first wave of arrivals that will continue in the coming days and weeks. So far, a nearly 165 thousand people have been vaccinated. As a country, we need to be mindful that the vaccine is not the ultimate antidote to the fight. There is more to it. Strict adherence to the protocols is crucial and we must all work religiously towards it. “We are not in normal times,” but it is also true that “the battle is the Lords,” so “this too shall pass.”

By: Dr. Nana Sifa Twum, Media Communications Consultant.