The week has seen a lot of happenings in relation to the number one world albatross; the COVID-19 pandemic upsurge of cases.
Peculiar about this week however is the political turn of issues happening in the country with regards to the COVID-19 disease as well as some interesting turn of events in the opposition National Democratic Congress.
Coronvirus and the numbers for Accra
Ghana’s number of recorded cases currently stands at 4,012. The numbers are still high in Accra as it is in a comfortable hotspot lead of most cases of the virus recorded. Standing at 3,436 in Accra alone, many in the region are still yet to fully comply without force. Wearing of nose masks have now been marked as mandatory.
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Read: Ghana’s COVID-19 cases rise to 4,012, 323 recoveries
Behind Accra with the most cases recorded are the Ashanti and Eastern Regions with 210 and 96 cases respectively. Other regions have equally seen an increase in their numbers. Whiles these stand, Bono region which hitherto had recorded no cases now have recorded cases. Savannah, Ahafo and Bono East Regions are the regions without any cases. Like we always say, with the exploding numbers in Accra; Accra, be extra-careful.
Minister’s Press Briefing
Tuesday’s press briefing to give updates on the country’s fight against the Covid-19 disease and other matters that have arisen saw particularly the minister of health giving passionately stern address to the country on the implications of Ghanaians inability to comply fully with preventive protocols set out to guard ourselves against the disease.
Read: Buy masks for your neighbours – Health Minister appeals to Ghanaians
Some experts however have shared the opinion that the government is not getting the expected results because of the mode of education employed which is a largely mass media approach. According to Mr. Samuel Arthur, a public health analyst, the country will be yielding better compliance results if we are to employ a more community-door-to-door approach of education especially using investments already made by the country through means like the GhanaPost GPS app and NABCO officials as education personnel who he projects can make us reach some 10 million people or more.
Read: COVID-19 education must change to yield results we want – health expert
Allotey Jacob’s Suspension and NDC’s Boycott
A major surprising hit which to many came in Wednesday after former central regional chairman of the NDC, Bernard Allotey Jacobs was suspended from the party over what the party described as “anti-party conducts” only hours after he had been on a top morning show in the capital, the Kokrokoo morning show.
Read: NDC suspends former Central Regional Chairman Allotey Jacobs
The party further boycotted the same Kokrokoo Morning show platform hosted by ace journalist Kwame Sefa-Kayi (Chairman General). According to a presser signed by the communications director of the party, this was necessitated by issues they felt went against the party’s proper representation on the show. The release indicated that the host and producers of the show were putting them through an unfair paneling system as claims are made of the spot given to Mr. Bernard Allotey Jacobs was recognized to be for the NDC, something which they believe is unfair because Mr. Allotey Jacobs according to them does not speak in the interest of the party. By this, the NDC believes that unlike their counterparts from the NPP who will have two representatives, they are always forced to go with one.
Read Also: NDC boycotts Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ show over unfair panelling
Some have criticized that particular move with the view that the Kokrokoo platform is a show that has a wide range of audience which the party needs to reach. The more, they believe Allotey’s continuous presence on the platform only yields a one-sided story of the situation as well as in political discussions.
Read Also: NDC’s boycott of Kokrokoo Morning Show not a smart move – Ben Ephson
The Numbers Debate
There has been a lot of arguments about Ghana’s actual number of recorded COVID-19 cases. Whiles the Ghana Health Service says Ghana has reached its peak of recorded cases of the disease, individuals and groups like the Center for Democratic Governance are of the firm believe that Ghana hasn’t got there yet. Ghana reaching it’s peak of cases would mean that the country will be seeing a decline in the number of recorded cases. The worry of many has been that this information which they believe does not represent the issues on ground will lead to taking decisions like lifting of the ban on public gatherings which will be to the detriment of the nation. Recorded cases of COVD-19 in Ghana has gone up this week as we’ve seen earlier. Could it really be Ghana’s peak? Many have said that we have not tested enough although Ghana is the second African country after South Africa with the most tests. The information of Ghana reaching its peak might be informed by the clearing of the backlogs for centers like Noguchi which had many of the samples collected from contact tracing. Contact Tracing is still going on however and some more testing center have been added to augment the pressure on the Noguchi and KCCR. Hopefully, this is going to boost the country’s testing capacity and enhance containing of the situation.
Read: We are nowhere near our peak of Covid-19 infections – Pharmacist counters GHS claim
‘No Mask No Entry’ Reigns Now
Many corporate organizations in the capital and accross the country as a way of putting in strict compliance to preventive protocols have adopted a ‘No Mask No Entry’ policy. This has become the number one notice on many corporate buildings. Aside this, customers and visitors are made to wash their hands whiles some go he extra length of checking the temperature before they enter. These measures are meant to help check on spread of the disease as the country’s cases goes up but movement isn’t restricted.
Read: ‘No mask, no entry’ – Greater Accra Region to enforce wearing of face masks in public places
