News
The COVID-19 testing controversy in Parliament needless
In the last few days, all 275 Members of Parliament (MPs) and staff of Parliament have been undergoing a mandatory COVID-19 test ordered by the Speaker Mike Oquaye.
As part of efforts to prevent the spread of the dreaded global pandemic in the House, the Speaker last week directed the Medical Directorate of Parliament to conduct the test on all those who work at the legislative wing of the government.
What was envisaged to be a routine test, with the results communicated privately to only the individuals concerned has turned out into a controversy that appears to divide the House on a matter that should have the support of all members of Parliament.
This is a matter that needed a collective approach because the disease is no respecter of status in society. It is attacking and killing everyone so it is surprising that a mere test in the House is generating such controversy.
It is a matter of concern that the House cannot agree on the mode of disclosing the results of the test such that the public is being fed with conflicting results from the test conducted on the staff and MPs
While media reports has it that some MPs as well as staff have tested positive which was collaborated by the Minority Chief Whip, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, the Majority Leader, Kyei Mensah Bonsu and the Public Affairs Director of Parliament, Kate Addo, dispute the claim.
According to a statement authored by the Public Affairs Department, “Parliament would like to state categorically that the results of the tests were not yet known and so the report is not true.
“The confidentiality protocol of testing for COVID-19 is that, those who test positive will be called directly by the testing team and taken through the necessary steps for quarantine and treatment. Officially Parliament is unaware of any such call and has no official figures from the National COVID-19 response team.
So what is really the beef? While the Speaker of the House is of the view that public disclosure of the test results has the potential of fuelling stigmatisation other members’ some think otherwise.
That is what had led to the public spar and led to a needless public discussion that is unnecessary. While we do not support those who advocate public disclosure of the health status of individual concerned, i do not think that it is also helpful to prevent individuals to freely divulge their health status to the public.
The Ghanaian Times recalls that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the First Lady, Rebecca and Former President Jerry John Rawlings as well as many prominent citizens at different times willingly disclosed their COVID-19 status. The public is fully aware of their status and we think it will send a good signal to the citizenry to follow.
It is, therefore, baffling that our MPs cannot find a common ground to deal with the results of their COVID-19 test in the House. We are not the ones to tell them what to do but we would have appreciated it if they had followed the examples of prominent people around the globe who had no problem with disclosing their COVID-19 status.
The MPs are role models and public figures many look up to and it is important that they exhibit exemplary leadership and show the way for many who look up to them to follow.
Allowing the public know about their COVID-19 status would encourage people to go for voluntary tests and not be afraid to disclose the results because no one would stigmatise them.
We are encouraged by the MPs and we commend them for going through such an important exercise at this crucial time as we battle the global pandemic which we believe would send a strong signal to the general public to continue to observe the health protocols that are vital for the fight against COVID-19.
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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