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COVID-19 restrictions: To lift or not to lift?
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to address the nation by Sunday (tomorrow) on Ghana’s next action in containing the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Currently, over 7,000 people have been inffected with more than 2,000 recoveries and 34 deaths recorded, as of Thursday, May 26.
When deductions of the recoveries and the death are done, it would bring the active cases to over 4,000.
So far, the country has tested 204,909 people for COVID-19 according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) as at Thursday May 26, 2020
Against this backdrop, there have been a lot of agitations within the country on the next move, as to whether the restrictions currently in place should be relaxed.
After the country lifted the earlier partial lockdown measure, there were some restrictions which were not touched.
These restrictions were made to continue to help stop or contain the spread.
They included the ban on all social gathering with exemptions to some programmes, additionally, schools, churches, night clubs, drinking spots among others remained shut.
Also, the country’s boarders, air, land and sea remained closed to travellers unless under emergency or extreme circumstances.
Hotels and restaurants are not operating in full capacity, due to the containment measures.
There had been measures like wearing of nose mask in public, observing of social distancing and adherence to effective hand washing and use of sanitisers.
This notwithstanding, private school teachers and owners as well as stakeholders in the hospitality sectors have complained of harsh economic challenges due to the measures.
Clearly, this had even led to laying off of staff, and in some cases, a cut in salaries to cushion operational costs of companies.
With regard to the schools, an Educationist, Professor Stephen Adei on Joy Prime Morning, television show this week has said that government should not be in a rush to open schools to students while the country is still fighting the coronavirus.
According to him, final year students alone could be asked to go to school to limit the spread of the virus among students.
On the religious front, there are different views, where some men of God have been clamouring for the re-opening of churches with some laid-down protocols to ensure the measures were adhered to.
Some also believe that it is too early for such move, saying it could become a hot spot in the spread of the virus.
Elsewhere in the United State of America, President Donald Trump had declared churches as essential service and demanded that governors of various states reopen them despite the COVID-19 lockdown.
Most businesses including bars, hairdressers, schools, transportation services, shops, are reopening after more than two months of nationwide lockdown measures.
This notwithstanding, the World health Organisation (WHO) has warned of a second peak of coronavirus cases.
During a media briefing on Monday, Dr Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, said “right now, we are right in the middle of the first wave, globally. We’re still very much in a phase where the disease is actually on the way up,” he added.
A WHO infectious disease epidemiologist, Maria Van Kerkhove, said “all countries need to remain on high alert here. All countries need to be ready to rapidly detect cases, even countries that have had success in suppression. Even countries that have seen a decline in cases must remain ready.”
Now, most Ghanaians would be waiting anxiously for the President’s “monumental” address on the way forward tomorrow, to lift or not to lift?
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Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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