The former Communications Minister under the John Mahama led administration, Omane Boamah has written a letter to the President of Ghana outlining measures to be taken to help contain the deadly Corona Virus.
According to the former Minister who is a health professional, there is a need for a lockdown of the country in order to contain the deadly virus.
In his letter, he said government has wasted time saying “I think your Government is lagging behind in its response to COVID-19. You have waited for the vertical transmission to translate into horizontal transmission. Let us not wait any longer!”
Adding that “Let us not rely on the fact that COVID-19 is not very devastating on populations such as ours – because we have a relatively young population as compared to Europe and we do not have many people who smoke etc.
The former Minister acknowledged that “Yes, Ghana’s population is young; but we have weaker health systems that cannot sustain a full blown intracommunity outbreak. In addition, our settlements and transportation (tro tro, taxi) systems are very weak and crowded”.
He called on Ghanaians to adhere to WHO outlined restrictions to keep safe.
READ HIS LETTER HERE
Dear President Akufo-Addo
In my article, Coronavirus disease on a “Crowded Planet”, I suggested ten (10) things we can do. Lockdown was one of the ten measures. Mr. President, to clarify, lockdown does not mean total shutdown of the country.This morning, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) have, all, advocated lockdown. I pray and hope your Government will listen in good faith and act urgently.
I think your Government is lagging behind in its response to COVID-19. You
have waited for the vertical transmission to translate into horizontal transmission. Let us not wait any longer! Let us not rely on the fact that COVID-19 is not very devastating on populations such as ours – because we have a relatively young population as compared to Europe and we do not have many people who smoke etc.
Yes, Ghana’s population is young; but we have weaker health systems that cannot sustain a full blown intracommunity outbreak. In addition, our settlements and transportation (tro tro, taxi) systems are very weak and crowded. Furthermore, we also have people with diabetes, hypertension, pulmonarydiseases such as Asthma and Chronic Bronchitis among others who will be terribly affected if COVID-19 gets out of hand in Ghana, our dear country.
respiratory support in Ghana; do we have enough anaesthetists and logistics to cover them while at the same time ensuring we have enough to take care of other medical and surgical emergencies?
Mr. President, let us act now and act decisively.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah
Former Minister for Communications
Frontline Health Worker In Ghana
