NCCE and GMA Call on Political Parties to Adopt Innovative Campaigns

Regional news for Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Source: GNA

2020-10-13

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) have urged political parties to adopt innovative campaigning methods as part of efforts to prevent a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mrs. Josephine Nkrumah, President of NCCE and Dr. Frank Ankodea, President of GMA, at a joint press conference on Tuesday in Accra, called on all political parties to ensure that their activities do not become vectors of the spread of COVID-19.

Ms Nkrumah, who read the statement, noted that the two institutions have noted the wide scale of the indifferent public stance and a general disregard for COVID-19 security protocols.

He said that despite strict measures put in place to control the virus, including executive instruments for mandatory use of masks, a limited number at social and public events, rigorous public education, many Ghanaians had returned to a lifestyle prior to the global pandemic.

“In fact, many citizens are behaving with total disregard for security protocols. Public transport has almost abandoned the mandatory use of masks.

“The meetings are held without adequate physical distancing, including some religious gatherings. Offices, shops, supermarkets, clinics, churches, mosques, they no longer keep buckets of veronica or disinfectants at their entrances, ”he said.

She said that politicians and political activities do not escape from this observation, stating that many mini-demonstrations were plagued by a reckless abandonment of all reasonable security protocols.

“Election season is here with us, we reiterate our constant reminders to citizens, especially our political leaders, that COVID-19 is still real and the disease is still with us.

“We question the relevance of legislation on compliance with COVID-19 security protocols if we are not committed to complying with and enforcing these laws. What has affected the political will to remain focused on strict compliance with the protocols? ”She declared.

He reminded Ghanaians of the countries that were experiencing a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that those that included the best nearly eliminated infections in their countries. Ms Nkrumah said that the current public or national complacency and indifference towards the COVID-19 Security Protocols among Ghanaians was a danger that could derail the nation’s marked successes in fighting COVID-19. It denies the NCCE’s public education efforts and the concerted efforts of the government, the media, and all institutions.

He urged political parties to use their platforms to project the health of citizens as a primary concern and that political parties and politicians must show exemplary leadership by urging their supporters and constituents to adhere to the COVID-19 Security Protocols. .

“Until the World Health Organization (WHO) approves a vaccine for COVID-19, we will remain at risk and political actors, religious bodies, and indeed all citizens must be aware of this fact.”

He said Ghana’s case count as of the morning of Oct. 13 was 47,097, with 46,452 recoveries and 308 deaths and 337 active cases.

According to her, the records largely indicated that the country was winning the war against the disease, however, they were reliably informed that some regions that did not register any new cases in the last three weeks, had registered in the last days new cases. .

“We need to be aware of how we act to avoid a second wave of the disease, the consequences of which would be dire for the country, both socially and economically, including its psychosocial dimensions.”

He called on the Ghana Private Road Transport Union and other transport unions to enforce the mandatory use of masks on all public transport.

Ms Nkrumah implored the Ghana Police Service to enforce the rules contained in the Executive Instruments related to COVID-19, including IS 164.

Dr. Ankobea commented that the country was “not out of the woods yet” and therefore Ghanaians must continue to comply with COVID-19 protocols.