The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has pledged its unflinching support to government in the ongoing national fight against the novel Coronavirus despite being let down by the President in the sudden lifting of the Lockdown.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) last month called on the government to declare a nationwide lockdown, with the exemption of essential service providers.
“The GMA fully conscious of the threat posed by this pandemic, the disturbing trend of community spread and the obvious inadequate capacity of the nation’s health system to deal with the increased numbers of COVID-19 infection especially in the severe to critical cases, call on His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana to declare a nationwide lockdown with the exception of essential services with immediate effect,” a statement from the GMA stated in March.
Eventhough the lockdown they advocated for some twenty-one days ago, has been lifted in what many say was a premature decision by President Akufo-Addo, the GMA nonetheless promised to lend their full support to combat the covid-19 spread.
The Association made the pledge when they met with President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House at his invitation to pick their thoughts and concerns over government’s approach to fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a brief remark, Dr. Frank Ankobea, President of the Ghana Medical Association, observed that the association recognizes the difficult situation the country finds itself in but remains loyal and fully committed to the national agenda to trace, test and treat Covid-19 patients as well as to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
“We are so happy that you invited us this morning to discuss the pertinent issues. All we need to do is to pledge our support to government that we are going to continue with you, we are going to fight till this virus is eliminated from Ghana,” the GMA President, Dr. Frank Ankobea said.
President Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo in his remarks noted that his administration was compelled to lift the restriction on movement in Greater Accra, Kasoa and Greater Kumasi because consistently, test results over the last three weeks has remained constant in terms of infection rate, death rate, persons who are moderately ill, amongst others.
“It is that constancy, that robustness of the data that we have in Ghana, that is inspiring our decisions,” President Akufo-Addo said.
“As President of this country, I cannot also ignore the impact that this lockdown is having on several constituencies of our country, specifically those who are a very important part of the Ghanaian equation, the people who live, if you like, ‘hand-to-mouth,’ informal workers who need to have a day out in the market one form or the other for their families, who are having a lot of difficulty,” President Akufo-Addo added.
The President has lifted the three week partial Lockdown imposed on the Greater Accra, Kumasi, Kasoa and Tema areas effective Monday, April,20, 2020.
“I must make it clear that lifting these restrictions does not mean, we’re letting our guard down,” the President noted in a Televised broadcast on Sunday, adding all other measures are firmly in place and has not been relaxed.
The COVID-19 cases in Ghana have jumped to 1042, President Akufo-Addo has announced.
The President said the increase in numbers is as a result of 68, 591 tests conducted.
According to the President, nine people have died from the disease while 99 people have recovered and discharged.
Source:Ghana/Kasapafmonline.com/102.5 FM
