News
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?
.
News
‘Thousands of Ghanaian women suffering from Obstetric Fistula’
Thousands of Ghanaian women continue to suffer in silence from Obstetric Fistula (OF) due to inadequate access to surgical treatment, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has revealed.
Dr Wilfred Ochan, UNFPA’s Country Representative, disclosed that over the past decade, Ghana has accumulated a backlog of more than 12,000 untreated cases, despite recording an estimated 1,300 new cases each year.
He made the remarks during a visit to the New Times Corporation (NTC) in Accra to mark the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF).
“Only 1,000 repairs have been done in 10 years. That leaves thousands of women isolated, in pain, and excluded from society due to a condition that is both preventable and treatable,” Dr Ochan said.
He stressed the need for greater investment in surgical capacity, public awareness, and partnership, especially with the private sector— to accelerate Ghana’s efforts to eliminate the condition by 2030.
Obstetric Fistula results from prolonged or obstructed labour without timely medical care, causing a hole between the birth canal and bladder or rectum, leading to continuous leakage of urine or faeces. The consequences include stigma, chronic incontinence, and often, the death of the baby.
To help close the treatment gap, the UNFPA is working with health institutions including the Komfo Anokye and Cape Coast Teaching hospitals to scale up surgeries and outreach.
“We must not allow women to suffer lifelong trauma for simply trying to give life,” Dr Ochan urged.
The Managing Director, Mr Martin Adu-Owusu, pledged NTC’s support in raising public awareness and promoting maternal health initiatives.
“We are ready to collaborate with you to ensure that maternal deaths and issues affecting women come down to the barest minimum so that together we can achieve the UN goal to eliminating Obstetric Fistula by 2030,” he said
By Esinam Jemima Esinam
News
Inflated prices of Abaya, Jalabiya on Eid-al-Adha celebration
Muslims in Ghana and all over the world yesterday observed the Eid-al-Adha celebration.
It falls on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar and is celebrated by Muslims to mark the end of the month-long dawn-to-dusk fasting of Ramadan.
The build up to yesterday’s edition was characterised by a high demand for traditional Islamic attire here in Tamale, leading to a sharp rise in prices.
Checks by The Spectator from the various markets in the Tamale area revealed that prices for popular outfits like the Abaya, Jalabiya, and Kaftan have skyrocketed within the period.
Although there is no prescribed outfit for the celebration, many Muslims in Tamale traditionally choose modest and loose-fitting garments that reflect Islamic values.
Abayas and Jalabiyas often imported from Turkey, Dubai, Egypt, and Northern Nigeria have become particularly the most sought-after attires, resulting in the price hikes.
Currently, prices for men’s attire range from GH₵250 to GH₵800 while women’s outfits are selling from GH₵350 to GH₵1000.
Children’s garments are also not left out of the pricing craze. Bargaining for the youngsters starts from GH₵150.
Hajia Naila Abdul Karim, owner of ‘Cover with Style,’ confirmed a significant surge in sales in the holy month.
“Each day, more than 20 people, mostly women walk into the shop. We also send over 40 parcels daily to customers across the country,” she stated.
She attributed the price increases to the cedi’s depreciation and a recent shortage of Turkish imports, noting that most of her stock now comes from Dubai.
Hamdia Kamil, a loyal customer, shared her experience: “Two years ago, I bought an Abaya for GH₵350. This year, it’s GH₵650. I had no choice because it’s a special occasion and I want to feel good. Still, I hope the dresses are made affordable so others can also celebrate in style.”
At Baby Last Closet in Sakasaka, another fashion outlet, prices for women’s outfits range from GH₵350 to GH₵1,300, while men’s attire goes from GH₵250 to GH₵1,000.
“Some customers complain about the cost, but because it’s Ramadan, many still go ahead and buy,” said the shop owner.
Similarly, Mandy’s Haven at Zogbeli sells exclusively for Eid celebrations, dealing in high-end Abayas, Jalabiyas, and Kaftan materials. Prices there reflect quality and origin, with female attire ranging from GH₵450 to GH₵5,000, and kaftan fabric sold at GH₵200 per yard.
For many, including resident Iddrisu Suale, the holy month remains a sacred period despite the economic pressures. “Things are expensive this year, but I still want to make the day special for my children. I plan to get them Abayas and Jalabiyas from Egypt,” he indicated.
Despite the bustling nature of preparation and the high cost of goods, resident expressed optimism of having a good time in observing the deep spiritual significance of the occasion.
Story & photos by Paul Dery
