The Lawra Municipal Assembly of the Upper West has lifted the suspension on all major markets in the Municipality.
The Assembly has however cautioned people in the area that it will bring back the suspension if they fail to comply with the laid down protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Speaking to GBC’s Radio Ghana, the Lawra Municipal Chief Executive, Martin Bomba-ire said the decision to re-open the markets was taken in consultation with the traditional authorities after observing the trend of the spread of the disease and socio-economic impact of the decision on the lives of the people.
The MCE, Mr Bomba-ire, pointed out that some strict measures have been taken including demarcation of the markets to ensure social distancing, wearing of face mask before entering the market and relocation of some traders on the outskirt of the market.
The rest are intensive public education and joint task force to complement the Ghana Police Service and Immigration Service to police the markets to ensure that traders comply with these measures. He was emphatic that if the traders fail to comply with the directives the assembly will be compelled to continue with total close down of the markets.
“The markets that we have reopened are temporal. We will allow them to operate if they comply with the social distancing protocol. If they are not able to comply, we will again consult the chiefs and continue with the close down because we want our people alive so that we can continue to live together,” the MCE said.
He said they are encouraging everybody now moving out to a public place to wear face mask.
“The face mask now they make it locally and people can easily get some to buy and even if they do not have the money to buy, they can use handkerchief to cover their nose when going out to public places,” he advised.
Mr Bomba-ire said the virus move as people move and advised the public to stay home and observe all the health protocols to stop the spread of the disease. He commended the Municipal Security Council and leaders of the border communities for their support in reporting people passing through illegal routes.
On Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in the Lawra Municipality, the MCE said it has recorded 15 suspected cases. Out of the number, one person died of the disease while the rest tested negative. He revealed that the Municipality started its campaign against CSM since last year and that had contributed immensely to the low number recorded.
“The Lawra Municipality, in fact, we started our sensitisation since last year perhaps that is the reason God has spared us this year. Our health directorate has been moving around to educate the people on how the disease is being transmitted and how to prevent it from infecting them,” Mr Bomba-ire revealed. He urged the people to seek early medical attention when they begin to have headache, feel feverish and stiffness of the neck.
Story filed by Dennis Bebane.
