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Non Inclusion Of Assembly Men And Traditional Leaders In Covid 19 Education Unfortunate - Mahama

By Fred Dzakpata
Headlines Non Inclusion Of Assembly Men And Traditional Leaders In Covid 19 Education Unfortunate - Mahama
MAY 29, 2020 LISTEN

Former President John Mahatma has described the non inclusion of traditional leaders and assembly members in the county’s educational drive amid the coronavirus as unfortunate and a big gap in the National Response Plan.

According to him, government has unfortunately not managed public education on coronavirus efficiently creating a false impression that all is well considering the surge in the spread of the disease at an alarming rate.

This is contained in his latest write up on Facebook on the coronavirus pandemic.

“The absence of an effective mass education programme has contributed to the avoidable stigmatization of our brothers and sisters who have recovered from the infection,” he said.

He stressed, “The advice from the President and other government officials that we should begin to learn to live with the disease suggests that you and I must take our destiny into our own hands as far as COVID-19 is concerned.”

He described the report of recent spread of the virus in Parliament as very disturbing adding that while it is important to give hope to citizens it is absolutely necessary to be transparent and communicate the full picture of the extent of the disease.

He is worried the development in the legislature is coming at a time that public education on the disease has dwindled to the extent that observance of hygiene and distancing protocols appear to be waning.

“The benefit of wearing face masks at this time is obvious, and I reiterate my call on government to utilize some of the funds from the Stabilization Fund and the IMF to enhance local production and free distribution of re-usable face masks to especially vulnerable communities and groups,” he advised.

He says the funds voted by Parliament are meant primarily to be used to contain the spread of the virus and the free distribution of masks is essential at this time.

Government according to him, must set aside some funds to assist those who have lost their means of livelihood and places of abode as a result of stigmatization.

Advice

Touching on the imminent easing of restrictions, Mr Mahama reiterated his call on government to consider conducting mass testing for all students, teachers, and ancillary staff returning to school or church attendants as a safety precaution.

He believes government has accumulated enough resources in the name of COVID-19 to be able to fund mass testing, even if it has to rely on private laboratories; for the sake of the life and health of Ghanaians.

On the concerns of various teacher unions, he says government must pay close attention and take into consideration, the concerns of the various unions and parents.

According to him any decision taken by government to ease restrictions must be based on the utmost respect for human life and the science of the disease we are dealing with as he warn any decision based on false premises will spell doom for the country.

Meanwhile, the country as at Friday has recorded a total of 7,616 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 2,421 recoveries and 34 deaths.

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