The Deputy Minister for Local Government, Hon. Collins Ntim has made known that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) will do everything possible to support the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDA’s) to help restraint the novel COVID-19 pandemic intimidating and devouring lives across the globe.

Ghana recorded its 24th case on Sunday with one death and per the president’s charge towards the Ministry led by Hon. Hajia Mahama to present a detailed approach to help protect the Ghanaian citizens, the MLGRD launched a reach out program called the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development National Disinfestation Exercise for the COVID-19.

According to the Member of Parliament for Offinso North, the government has observed and supervised the activities in the various MMDA’s and in order for them to conform to the president’s orders for the safety of Ghanaians, the campaign was needful to be propelled to provide market women with logistics to avoid contracting the disease.

“As government and as a ministry, we have monitored and supported the various Metroploitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and we have also accepted that they comply with the protocols that was in the guidelines sent to their respective assemblies alone but those guidelines alone will not be enough to be able to contain the situation,” he said.

“It calls for logistics so last Thursday, the Minister for Local Government and Resource Development, Hajia Alima launched yet another program called the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Nation Disinfestation exercise for the COVID-19,” he added.

The MLGRD on Monday, March 23, 2020 at the launch of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Regional Disinfestation Exercise for the COVID-19 at the Regional Coordinating Council in Kumasi gave away 4,500 pieces of Veronica Buckets, 4,500 metal stands, 4,500 cartons of soap, 4,500 cartons of plastic baskets, 4500 cartons of tissues, 4,500 pieces of hand sanitizers and in addition 45,000 pieces of face masks, all in attempts to position the various MMDA’s in a way to be able to address and provide solutions to the respective markets in Ghana and give them the necessary sanitization items contain the situation.

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“The intention is to target about 1,000 markets across the length and breadth of our dear country and we are going to support all the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies with the necessary immediate logistics like Veronica Bucket, face masks, soaps, and many others.

Hon. Collins Ntim commended the Ghanaian media for their support and accuracy in their reportage through the global crises. He entreated that they keep on dissolving the fear of citizens by broadcasting the various preventive measures to every community in Ghana for people to appreciate the effects of the dangers.

The level of the anticipation of the media was also praised and appreciated in their quest to help fight the disease which attest to the fight that the president’s request has been adhered.

“The mediamen have shown that indeed, you are real citizens, because the menace of coverage can conveniently be addressed if the people are well informed of measures in terms of effects and hazards it can cause and how we can be able to protect ourselves which is half the battle won. It cannot be handled by government alone but the members of the media fraternity. That is your job.

"As you do know, it’s not over and we need your support,” he said.

Hon. Patricia Appiagyei admonished smokers to desist from the act to preserve their health from the pandemic which easily affects the respiratory system of humans.

“My observation especially with regards to countries heavily affected, if you have ever travelled to these countries you’ll observe that these countries have people who smoke heavily and it easily affect their lungs.

“This has always been detected by the medical health services that these people have a very low resistance so I am cautioning smokers to desist if possible else the current pandemic will take your life,” he ended.