Coronavirus: House Of Chiefs Want Epicenters Locked Down As A Matter Of Urgency

The National House of Chiefs has entreated the government to be bold in its consideration of locking down the epicenters of the pandemic if that would cut the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) which has claimed three deaths and affected over 90 persons in Ghana.

The House, which has declared war on the virus, has suspended all traditional festivals with immediate effect, but rites that are associated with traditional festivals and religious days are to be restricted to indoors with fewer numbers.

In a statement issued, signed by the Public Relations Officer, Stephen Owusu, dated Wednesday, March 25, 2020, and copied to otecfmghana.com, it also urged all Traditional Authorities to lead special traditional prayers and rites to purify their communities and seek the face of God.

There have been calls from other civil society groups for an immediate Coronavirus lockdown of Ghana considering the rate of the spread of disease, with the recent call by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA).

Ghana recorded its first suspected case of the coronavirus pandemic on February 6 this and as of March 26, it has escalated to 68, with three deaths, a scary situation calling for a lockdown.

The statement also urged traditional authorities “to ensure that, social distancing, washing of hands with soap under running, water and robbing of hand with sanitizers are to be practised by their citizens.”

“Traditional task force must be established by Traditional Authorities to enforce the protocols and measures announced by H.E the President.

...All Traditional Authorities must undertake frequent communal labour in their communities to rid them of filth to avoid possible spread of the coronavirus. This must be done taking into consideration the protocols on social distancing,” the statement added.

---Ghana/OtecfmGhana.com/Francis Appiah