Another week of living with the novel coronavirus has come to an end. Cases have gone up, recoveries have gone up and some deaths have also been registered.
However, everyone is learning to live with the situation without getting hit by the virus.
This week, we look at the issues that made headline topics for discussion but before that lets’s have a look at the numbers recorded so far and Accra’s standings.
The Numbers and Accra
Although the Western Region has been sited as the new hotspot for the coronavirus disease, the region with the highest number of recorded cases remains the Greater Accra Region.
The region has recorded a total of 5,331 out of Ghana’s total number of 7,616 confirmed cases.
Read: Ghana’s COVID-19 cases increased by 313, as Bono East record first case
The Ashanti Region now has 1,160 recorded cases with the Western Region climbing up to the third spot with a total of 395 confirmed cases. As it stands now, only the Ahafo Region has recorded no case of the COVID-19 disease. The Central Region follows the Western Region in fourth place with a total of 376 confirmed cases, Eastern Region follows with 117 cases; Western North North,63 cases; Volta Region, 59; Northern Region, 36; Oti Region, 26; Upper East Region, 26, Upper West Region, 22; North East Region, 2. Savannah, Bono and Bono East Regions have all recorded a case each.
Recoveries now stand at 2,421 whiles a total of 34 deaths have been recorded.
Minister’s Press Briefing
This week’s briefings came off to address the issues of Ghana’s fight against the COVID-19 disease. The Ghana Health Service made it known that the new hotspot for the disease is the Western Region, particularly the Sekondi-Takordi Metropolis and the Tarkwa-Nsuaem municipality.
At Thursday’s press briefing, the director of the Ghana Health Service made it known that some of the 241 Ghanaians who were deported from Kuwait and arrived a week ago had tested positive for the COVID-19 disease. Right after their arrival, the deportees were put under mandatory quarantine. They will be there for two weeks to make sure that those who have the disease are separated from those who do not have.
Issue of Re-opening of Schools
Another issue that was at the top of discussions was the issue of the re-opening of schools. It might be recalled that the COVID-19 led to a ban on all public gatherings that affected lectures in universities thus they having to close down.
After about two months of staying at home, using various virtual means to continue with academic activities, there have been calls on the need to return to school to continue with academic activities as well as especially for the final year students at the basic, pre-tertiary and tertiary institutions to duly complete.
Read: Students are not ready for online examinations – NUGS
The dominating thoughts has been that the final year students go to school an complete under strict prevention protocols. Many including experts and stake holders have called on the gradual re-opening of schools to allow a proper control of the disease’s spread. In a press conference, Thursday, the National Union of Ghana for instance revealed that a survey they conducted revealed that students were not ready for online examinations and thus advised government to do a gradual re-opening of school by first allowing the final year students go to school.
Read Also: Re-open school for only final-year students — Teacher unions
The President is expected to address the country tomorrow and many are looking forward the president speaking on this matter especially after he indicated in his last address that discussions were underway to help the country go back to normal life.
The Voters’ Register Debate
The debate still continues on whether or not a new voters’ register should be compiled. The main proponents for and against this issue has been the political parties. At the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting convened during the week, some political parties including the leading opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) feigned attendance. They were of the view that the commission’s cutting of the usual three members from the parties attending the meeting to 1 was not fair. The commission however maintains this became necessary due to the need to respect social distancing protocols. But the NDC was of the view that the EC could get a bigger venue.
Read: CID invites PNC chair to assist with investigations
Read Also: Atik Mohammend calls for interrogation of his party chairman, Bernard Monarh
The party together with the coalition of parties, the Inter-Party Resistance Against a New Voters’ Register (IPRAN) still stand against the compilation of the new voters’ register, a position they have held since the Electoral commission proposed this idea.
This debate has become so topical that comments made by the PNC chairman, Mr. Bernard Monarh on their resistance of any efforts by the EC to continue compiling the voters’ register together with others got him to be summoned to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service. He is expected to report for questioning on Tuesday.
The commission says that the registration will begin at the end of June.
The Death of George Floyd
In what has caused an international uproar in many countries, especially in Africa, the unfortunate death of George Floyd, a black American in the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota has also seen the news following keenly on the matter.
Many have condemned the circumstances that lead to his death and especially frowned on the racist acts that they believe have gone on in America and led to the death of other blacks in very despicable circumstances. In the case of George Floyd, videos that circulated showed a police officer pressing George’s neck to the ground using his knee whiles George, lying on the ground begged to be released as he constantly repeated he couldn’t breathe.
Read: ‘Shame on America’ – Rawlings reacts to George Floyd murder
Former President of Ghana, H.E Jerry John Rawlings added his voice to the matter as he condemned the act and questioned how a police officer could be the source of such cruel act.
Despite the safety protocols in place, people in the city of Minneapolis have hit the streets demanding justice for the late Floyd.
Parliament and COVID-19 Testing Brouhaha
Another issues that has made waves this week has been the issues coming out of parliament that somoe members and staff had tested positive for the COVID-19 disease after speaker, Rt. Hon. Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye directed for the testing of all parliamentarians and staff.
The debate has been that some people had contracted the disease according to the minority chief whip and MP for Asawase, Hon. Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak. The director for public affairs at parliament, Madam Kate Addo has maintained that parliament has not received any such results.
Read: Parliament react to reports saying 2 MPs have tested positive for COVID-19
Read Also: ‘Parliament did not lie’ over MPs Covid-19 tests results
Many have called for the publication of the results from parliament.
