The National House of Chiefs has warned against communities opposing the location of COVID-19 isolation centers in their areas.
According to the chiefs, such actions, have the potential to undermine the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, urging all such communities to have a second look at their actions since everybody is at risk of contracting the virus.
“I would like to seize the opportunity to remind those communities that are fighting against the location of COVID-19 isolation centers in their areas to think again, and remember that we are all potential victims. They should not forget that there are already located in their communities, hospitals that must treat COVID-19 patients”, a statement signed by the President of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV, in part read.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus in the country, some communities have objected to the use of some facilities located in their jurisdiction as isolation centers for the treatment of patients who have tested positive of the virus.
In Tema, some residents strongly objected to a house facility that was freely given out by a man of God for use by frontline health workers to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
On Sunday, April 12, 2020, some residents of Prampram staged a demonstration against the use of the Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence located in their jurisdiction for use as COVID-19 isolation center.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA), had on Saturday, April 11, 2020, released a statement indicating their willingness to give the 1,000-bed facility to the government should the need arise for them to use it in the fight against the pandemic.
“Through our Medical Committee, we have gotten in touch with the authorities to make them aware that our facility at Prampram is available for us”, the General Secretary of the GFA, Prosper Harrison Addo said in a statement.
However, some residents of Prampram strongly objected to the use of the facility as COVID-19 isolation center, noting that it would be dangerous for their families if infected patients are brought there since the virus is highly infectious and contagious.
Togbe Afede commenting further on such opposing attitude, reminded all that it will require all hands on deck to be able to curb the spread of the coronavirus in Ghana.
“One of the most important lessons we can pick from our present predicament is that we need to love one another, and be each other’s keeper, because we are all humans with the same vulnerabilities”, he said.
Avoid politicizing COVID-19
Togbe Afede, who is also the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State in the Volta Region, also called on the citizenry to be united in the fight against COVID-19 and avoid politicizing issues related to the pandemic.
“This demands that the national interest guides all our actions and it would require that political parties do not claim ownership of ideas or insist on taking credit for any successes. We are in this battle together, against the invisible enemy. I am therefore calling for cooperation among all the actors, and in particular, close collaboration between the government, our security agencies and traditional leaders in enforcing the government’s directives and required social distancing protocols”, he noted.
