COVID-19: Traders forewarns gov't on impending danger if ban on social gathering is not upheld

Many are expecting the President to lift the ban on social gathering to resume normalcy in Ghana

COVID-19: Traders forewarns gov't on impending danger if ban on social gathering is not upheld
Ante Comfort, Deputy Bayerehemaa (Yam queen), Bode

A section of traders and drivers in the capital of the Ashanti Region have rebuffed rumors circulating that the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo would lift the ban on social gathering to make way for church activities and the recommencement of schools in Ghana.

Majority of Ghanaians are anticipating that the 10th Address by the President to the Nation on the next line of action is to completely ease restriction by canceling the pronouncement made on the closure of schools and religious institutions and permit normalcy at the expense of the country's increase in the number of infections.

 

 

Ghana as at Wednesday, May 27, 2020, has recorded 7,117 coronavirus cases with 34 deaths and 2,317 recoveries. The Bono and Ahafo Region are the two without cases out of the 16 Regions. The Greater Accra Region is the country’s COVID-19 hotspot with 5,008 dragged by the Ashanti Region with 1,085.

 

 

SoireeNews was at the Kumasi Central Market on Wednesday to seek the concerns of traders on whether it is appropriate for the President of Ghana to dissolve the prohibition on social gathering and make way for community activities to revive whiles maintaining the preventive protocols like the social distancing, washing of hands, applying alcohol-based sanitizers and wearing of nose masks.

According to the Deputy Bayerehemaa (Yam queen) at Bode, Ante Comfort, government should not be unsettled by external pressure seeking for the return of normal life but must act as a leader and take decision that will profit Ghanaians and the next generation to come. She disregarded the call for the various ban to be lifted and cautioned that should there be an acceleration of coronavirus when measures are flouted, inhabitants will suffer much, therefore, the decision must be allowed for the President and his executives to determine.

 

 

“The ban on social gathering instated by the president has been imperative to Ghana especially parents. Reopening schools is a great opportunity for trade to revive due to students’ acquisition of foodstuffs but what profits a man if he gains the world and loses his soul?

“The pressure from the people to open schools and churches should not influence government’s decision to do what is best for the Nation. Human beings are insatiable in every area of life and Nana Addo cannot consider the protests and lift the ban. When the harm is caused, we will suffer much so he should decide what is best for us.

 

READ ALSO:

Year of Roads: Obuasi-Anwiankwanta Highway is a statement of proof by government

 

"If it is safe to lift the ban, we have nothing to say, yet, he should not be intimidated by the pressure of Ghanaians,” she said.

Sceptics were slated for their comments on the fabrications that the virus does not exist. The none believers of the existence of coronavirus were cautioned to turn down the act of seeking evidence that endorses stigmatization among patients. The leader of Yam Sellers at Bode, Nana Adwubi explained how all the preventive measures put in place to contain the virus would have been in vain if patience is not taken for the disease to be enclosed.

“Coronavirus exists. Doubters have not felt the crash of the virus on any family member so they easily question for evidence. It is also not ethical to show infected persons or their sick beds on television so I think it is foolish to take your ward to school to be infected with the coronavirus," she wisely stated.

 

 

“If we take our time and handle the disease well, they can resume and continue with their academics. Parents and religious leaders should exercise patience else, we will all be victims and the patience all this while will amount to nothing. The president should not be moved by their weight and hold on for some time,” she cried out.

“We will regret if normal life resumes soon and our numbers will increase drastically. Schools, funerals, and churches all exist for the sake of persons therefore what is the reason if the ban is lifted in the midst of the deadly pandemic?

 

 

"No one knows the aftermath after the decision is rescinded. The president should be cautious with his next address on what he will say. If I go to church and contract the sickness, who will take care of me. Funerals practice the same and it is risky to permit them to function,” the stationmaster for Konongo Agogo, Kwabena Asante enlightened.

With the worries of traders calling for the ban on social gathering to remain, it is indeed a sign that the next action by the President is crucial and will decide the fate of Ghanaians in the midst of the disastrous pandemic which has taken more than 350,000 lives with over five million infections.