Member of Parliament for Kumbungu Constituency in the Northern Region, Ras Mubarak, has expressed with concern the indifferent attitude of Ghanaians when it comes to observing the COVID-19 protocols.
According to him, some Ghanaians still have the mentality that COVID-19 is a ‘White Man’s disease’ and as such, they have decided not to follow protocols.
Speaking in an interview with Kwame Afrifa Mensah on the ‘Epa Hoa Daben’ show, he stated: “Unfortunately, across the world, the curve for COVID-19 cases is rising. I don’t know if it is stubbornness on our part. If you look at the videos, you will see people crowd when there’s a leader around. The people have just decided that they will not contract the disease”.
Sharing his experience of how he observed some Ghanaians defying the COVID-19 health protocols, he related: “When we toured our constituency, I met a group of young ones who were not observing any social protocols and when I asked why they said they had taken certain drugs. To them, COVID does not affect certain people. That is the mentality most Ghanaians have. Apart from formal settings, the entire informal sector is not adhering to COVID protocols and that is worrying because it can spread”.
The Kumbungu Constituency MP assured that politicians are doing all they can to educate the public on the need to observe the protocols.
He sought to, however, demystify the notion that COVIID-19 is a white man’s disease when he advised that the disease has killed many Africans including Ghanaians and as such Ghanaians need to take the pandemic seriously.
As elections approach and political parties campaign, it seems there has been a disregard for COVID-19 protocols. For example, in the president’s recent visit to a Kumasi-based radio station, some Ghanaians defied the protocols to see the president.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s confirmed COVID-19 cases stands at 46,829 with 466 active cases, 46,060 recoveries/discharges and 303 deaths.
By: Alberta Dorcas N D Armah