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Can the Ghanaian ever be pleased?

Feature Article Can the Ghanaian ever be pleased?
MAY 22, 2021 LISTEN

If readers could recall, on February 28, 2021 this all-important Online News Portal published a story of mine titled; Can Ghana marry the Covid-19 vaccine? That article of mine was backed by accusations and counter accusations from the public space regarding the efficacy of the vaccines. With a cross-section of the public indicating that the vaccines could wipe them out. Others were of the view that, a jab could trigger a possible spread of the Novel Covid-19 Pandemic. The atmosphere then was characterised by fear and panic. Hence my numerous suggestions on the use of the media in educating the populace on the vaccines.

The situation worsened when the public got to know that Ghana had become the first country in the world to receive vaccines acquired through the United Nations-sponsored COVAX initiative. The leadership of Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Health Ministry were chastised. From the public space to the Media was a deliberate attempt to discredit the potency of the vaccines. Thanks be to God that, Ghana can boast of a stable health condition in the lives of both young and old. This reminds me of a popular Ghanaian rendition titled; to be a man by the Legendary Amakye Dede. I humbly think he could possibly come out with "to be a President of Ghana, na waa".

Today, no one is speaking ill of the vaccine anymore. Already, Majority had taken of the first dose and with the announcement of the second dose, a lot more Ghanaians had gone as far as joining queues at dawn just for the jabs. What has changed? Much as the nation needs urgent fixing even in our gradual victory over the Covid-19 pandemic, I think the President, His Excellency, Nana Addo deserves some accolades. He had distinguished himself as a true leader.

I have noticed one thing about the Ghanaian. To an extent, they're never pleased with what a government does. If not, they wouldn't have shown President John Mahama the exit and gone for His Excellency, Nana Addo and still complain. Interesting times, indeed. At this juncture, I’m tempted to quiz; can the Ghanaian ever be pleased? Government will come and go but the Ghanaian must embrace the truth and work towards eliminating any form of scepticism about a subject matter that’s for the general good of the nation.

The author, Stephen Bernard Donkor is an Award-winning Journalism student of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ).

Writer’s email: [email protected]

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