In a time where Ghana's COVID- 19 case count stands at 13, 000 plus with 85 death, and with the stress and strain on our weak health system in Ghana, every citizen know that we have a public health emergency that has necessitated Executive Instrument ( E.I 64) and E.I 134 which gives the president an executive power to put retriction on movement, social gatherings, and strict adherence to other health protocols in order to contain, prevent and reduce economic loss to the country. COVID-19 has taken toll on lives of almost every country in the world and Ghana has not been exempted from this tax. From 12th of March, 2020 when Ghana recorded it's first case, millions of cedis have been squeezed out of the consolidated fund in order to help fight the disease. Religious bodies and the private sector across the country and all citizens have played their supportive roles in terms of donating money, refraining from religious activities until recently when ban on religious gatherings were eased with strict 29 protocols, of which not following them makes religious bodies liable for fines and or possible prosecution. Not wearing a mask to cover the mouth and the nose attracts a fine of not less than 12,000 Ghana cedis and not more than 60, 000 and or jail term of 4 - 10 years for every Ghanaian after the president's last address. The security services have been ordered by virtue of E.I 134 to arrest and process citizens who violates this order for court, for the law to take its course in order to serve as deterrent to others who flouts the provision of E.I 134. In the course of the week, the security services across the country have started enforcing the law, some have even gone beyond the remit of the law to prescribe communal labour for citizens who do not wear masks or donot wear it to cover their mouth and nose. Many churches and mosques have been closed for over 3 months, religious gatherings have been stopped in order not to breach social distancing protocols, churches that intends to open must fumigate the premise with certificate, buy gun thermometers, get Veronica buckets, get soap and water for Handwashing, make sure that at least a distance of one metre is observed, no shaking of hands, no touching, and wearing of mask is compulsory, offering bowls must be placed outside, no hugging, service must not exceed an hour and so on. These protocols have been duly followed because we are all law abiding citizens whose duty it is to obey the voice of our first gentlemen the president in line with the constitutional provision of our country.
The infection rate is increasing on daily basis and death is also increasing as well, this is indeed a fierce battle and anyone whose action or inaction undermines any of the COVID-19 Prevention and containment protocols should be an enemy of the law. I have observed with grave concern how reckless and careless the governing New Patriotic Party ( NPP) have violated and breached E.I 64, E.I 134 during their primaries yesterday across the nation with video and picture evidence which is disgusting and unacceptable in the middle of the fight against COVID-19, even the Hon.Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah whom I have admired for his expert skills in communication in this COVID and also a Frontline minister violated social distancing protocol and touching and he is seen holding hands with people. I expected our law makers to have known better and if nothing at all, place primium on the lives of Ghanaians first before power. This posture and an attitude is counter productive and dangerous one for Ghana. Many have had their own self doubts about the disease wether or not it is real, am not part of the doubters but this posture is giving credence to their doubts. I saw a lot of people over 100, few we're in mask and not even wearing it well, security men who were seen punishing ordinary citizens were onlookers without any action. Action they say speaks louder than words. This trajectory is slippery and dangerous for Ghana in the fight of the COVID. Our health systems are already over stretched and many health workers across the nation are getting infected with COVID-19, others have died, families have also lost their loved ones, even one death is too many and we can not be playing with COVID-19 gleaning from the death toll in other countries. May it not be said that we started well but lost the fight, the battle is not yet over, this is not the time for feasting, we must value the lives of Ghanaians first.
This certainly can not be the examples we expect from the governing party and its Honourble leaders, we have one Ghana and we must do all that we can to protect it. Looking at the science of the COVID-19, it spreads with the movement of people, the more people move, the more the spread. By scientific projections, we should expect surge and more infection in the next two weeks, we must be ready for more because of the gross disregard for the COVID-19 protocols. Mr. President, the battle is not an easy one and we all appreciate, you have done your best and still doing your best, if this battle can be won, the cooperation of your team is not negotiable, I personally have being a an ardent advocate and an educator of people to understand the Dynamics of the COVID-19, follow strictly the protocols. As much as I commend you for the bold decisions you have made under the COVID regime, I also blame you for the way the parliamentary primaries were conducted across the country in breach of your executive instrument with respect to the COVID-19.
RECOMENDATION:
• Order the security to arrest and prosecute all your party members who beached the E.I 134 to serve as a deterrent and to rule out selective justice.
• Publicly condemn the posture of your party faithfuls who breached this provision above and to reinforce your commitment to the rule of and the fight against the COVID-19.
Action and not words is key to the winning of the COVID-19 battle.
Rev. Jefferson Agbotro Kwasi
Founder & General Overseer,
Watchers' Chapel International ( WCI)
MSC Organizational Development
( Leadership & Management Consultant)