AN OBSERVATION:

PRESIDENT ADDRESS TO THE NATION ABOUT THE MEASURES TAKEN TO AGAINST THE SPREAD OF COVID 19(SUMMARY)

NB: This was published on March 17, 2020

Man in a nose mask in the midst of a crowd.

Three days today, the Government suspended all public gatherings; conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, Schools, political rallies, sporting events, and religious activities such as services in churches and mosques for the next four weeks. Private burials are permitted, but with limited numbers of attendance, not exceeding 25 individuals. Establishments like supermarkets, shopping malls, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, and drinking spots were not left out as they were to observe enhanced hygiene procedures by providing hand sanitizers or running water and soap for washing their hands.

The President on briefing the citizens about the preventive measures taken against the spread of the Pandemic COVID 19 which emanated from the city of Wuhan, China, he further directed the Attorney General to submit immediately to the legislative house an emergency legislation in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic to embody these measures together with the Ministry of Health to exercise their powers to govern the relevant measures, “I call upon Parliament to support the Executive in this national endeavor”.

The Institutions such as the Churches, GES, and others in adhering to the directives from the President, have suspended all religious activities and teaching and learning activities for further notice to boost the country’s quest to prevent the spread of the pandemic virus throughout the nation.

THE PUBLIC ON THE DIRECTIVES

Situating the various directives laid down by the President about the virus in the Ghanaian society or community, the citizens or the masses seem to ignore the President’s step of providing safety for the noble citizens.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is infecting people and spreading easily from person to person. Cases have been detected in most countries worldwide and community spread is being detected in a growing number of countries.

In the case of Ghana, despite the fact that the country has recorded 7 cases confirmed cases as of 17th March 2020, plying the roads in the country especially Osu, Greater Accra one could clearly tell that “Not hoping so, this so-called COVID-19” gets to our community it’s going to cause a mess in the country.

Religious activities and social gatherings such as nightclubs, drinking spots, and restaurants still operate in the city with no intention of providing the accouterments the President pronounced in his address.

Taking a walk on the streets to observe how citizens are taking available preventive measures to keep them away from getting contacted, it feels like the whole City is out for the market.

√ Hawkers at the various traffic stands doing their business as routine with no Sanitizers, gloves, or face masks on.

√ Commercial cars “TROTRO” run their business normally to and fro destinations with passengers packed in them. (37-Osu cars).

√ Drinking Spots and Clubs enjoying more than earlier especially drinking spots have more attendants than earlier because of the rumours that alcohol (Akpeteshie) can prevent COVID-19.

√ Road players using the roads with them are not subject to any form of protection from the virus.

√ Restaurants and Shops that serve a large number of customers do not have mounted taps or basins which could help individuals wash their hands whenever they visit.

√ To sum it all up, we have individuals or market women who now sell Sanitizers and facemasks at a high price for more profit. (Just imagine)

Individuals stay in a long queue in order to have their Ghana card registered in the Eastern Region.

SKEPTICISMS OF THE PERIPHERY ABOUT THE ADDRESS

Despite the fact the President has put in place certain important measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country, some citizens also suggest important ways to which can help prevent the outbreak in the country;

√ Religious leaders (Pastors) doubt the fact that churches should be closed down. They insist that the President should have contacted them before proceeding with that directive, and prayer could be a factor that can help cure the virus.

√ Prominent Doctors in the country find the President’s measures quite shallow in dealing with the virus. They argue that the Government should have placed a ban on flights moving to and fro.

√ Researchers also argue the idea that individuals moving into the country should be quarantined for 14 days. They raise the assertion that our health systems are poor, so to curb this you need to close all forms of entry into the country because of the high spread of the virus.

√ Noble citizens of the land also believe that it is unfair on the government's part, to get us to stay in our houses with electricity and water for living. (HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE)

TO NAME A FEW……………………………….

 STAY SAFE