News
Lest we forget! (2)
The COVID-19 cases in Ghana is growing by the day and this is quite worrying, especially with the lockdown eased. We really need to fight hard after our current figures of 11,000-plus confirmed cases, more than 4,000 recoveries, and over 50 deaths.
I have been pointing out why we all need to take the necessary precautions to avoid infections and spread of the virus.
Indeed, we need to be doing more to help reduce infections and the spread. The infections should not be increasing. We should do our best to reduce the rates.
I think there are certain things we should never ignore or take for granted, which we sadly seem to be ignoring.
IGNORING SAFETY PROTOCOLS?
I have read some reports that many people seem to be ignoring or have relaxed on the safety protocols.
People are no more practising social distancing and have not been wearing the face/nose masks. Do they care a hoot about their own health and that of others?
The fact that the lockdown has been eased makes it even more necessary to adhere strictly to the safety protocols.
Here in Finland, the lockdown has been eased and we are in the summer period, yet one can easily observe that many people are staying home. They do not go out if it is not urgent.
NOT SELF-ISOLATING?
I have read that some MPs, parliamentary staff and journalists who tested positive for the virus were not staying isolated.
They continue to attend parliament. What? So what is being done about this situation? Can they be prevented from the place? It is so sad that this is happening in the first place.
For, if gold rusts what will iron do? If the leaders are not adhering to directives would one be surprised if the ordinary person do the same?
LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE
The behaviour of those who are refusing to self-isolate is so disappointing. Yes!
There is another issue that we need to pay more attention to.
Please, can government officials, health experts, all our politicians who appear in public always put on the face/nose masks and practise social distancing as they engage others? I don’t say they don’t do it oo; I am only drawing more attention to that situation.
While the practice is to protect them from infection, it will undoubtedly also go a long way to encourage the public to follow their example.
In that sense, it would give a strong message of leadership by example.
PASTORS TESTING
I have also heard that some religious leaders are looking to buy the forehead thermometer for detecting body temperature of their members as they enter the church or religious premises, but they have been unsuccessful.
I understand the instruments may either not be available or are too expensive.
Can I suggest that if possible, the authorities should secure the instrument for the religious leaders on a hire purchase basis?
The religious leaders are one of the key stakeholders in the fight against the coronavirus, especially with the ease on religious activities.
DOING MORE
Finally, I urge all of us to help stop the spread by adhering to the directives on safety protocols.
I have read that ambulances are not showing up when people call the emergency number. This is worrying if it is true. Or, is it that the ambulances are being overwhelmed by the cases? God forbid!
I recently had a chat with a friend who felt that Ghanaians can be difficult people. I think that generally speaking, Ghanaians are not difficult people.
Our authorities can give all the directives and guidelines but if we don’t follow them our efforts will not go far.
It is feared that there would be a second wave of the pandemic probably towards the end of the year. It is important we all take precautions seriously.
We have been provided with the guidelines. The onus lies on us to abide by them and help prevent the spread. Let’s do more. Thank you.
The Speaker of the Algerian Parliament, Mr. Azouz Nasri, has arrived in Accra to take part in the Next Steps High-Level Consultative Conference on the implementation of the landmark United Nations Resolution on the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans.
He was received at the Jubilee Lounge, Kotoka International Airport, by Ghana’s First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor.
The 3-day conference runs from June 17–19, 2026 in Accra. It will bring together parliamentary leaders, diplomats, civil society, and other key stakeholders to reflect on the implications of the UN Resolution for Africans and people of African descent worldwide.
Organisers say the meeting is aimed at advancing a coordinated global framework to strengthen advocacy around the Resolution and provide practical guidance for its implementation across member states.
The Resolution is described as a historic step toward acknowledging the transatlantic slave trade and addressing its lasting impact, with this conference marking one of the first high-level efforts to move it from declaration to action.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Aspiring National Chairman for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Awentami Paul Afoko, has stated that the party has a unique opportunity to annex power in the 2028 elections.
According to him, the one person who has been on Ghana’s ballot paper for several elections will not be on the ballot paper in the 2028 elections, paving the way for the NPP to properly market its flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who is already a formidable force to reckon with and will go ahead to win the polls.
He argued that voters already know him, he’s battle-tested and ready to win.
He reiterated that the NPP will have a well-marketed candidate in the 2028 election and just as the party did in 2016 when it annexed power from a sitting government, the same can be done.
The Former NPP National Chairman, however, noted that this can be possible if the NPP unites as a unit and approach the elections with all the seriousness it deserves to ensure that its quest for victory does not become a mirage.
Mr Awentami Paul Afoko made this known when he met with Regional Executives, Patrons and Elders of the party in the Volta, Oti and Eastern Regions yesterday.
“For the first time we have a unique opportunity. At the time I put the New Plan for Power in place, we knew that the sitting president could go again and if he won another term, we would sit in opposition for twelve years.
We had to put a plan in place to make sure we come to power and we came to power. This time around, he will not be on the ballot paper and this offers us a unique opportunity, but without unity we will not get there,” he stated.
“As for unity, it is not negotiable. You can’t sit here and look at the lady sitting next to you and say I don’t like her so we can’t work together. We are working together for power, and if we let emotions get in the way, we lose” he said.
“Those of you who are old enough to remember Muhammad Ali the boxer, he is in the ring with you, he’s talking and calling you names then you get emotional and he takes advantage. Emotions won’t give us power. I didn’t get anything so I won’t support; no, let that go because it is in the past,” he noted.
Afoko, who is pushing his 3R Agenda of Reunite, Rebuild, and Recapture power, said the party must adopt a clear message to win back the confidence of Ghanaians and believes, with Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, whom he described as the right candidate will guarantee the NPP victory in the 2028 polls.
“For years I chose to work quietly behind the scenes, supporting the NPP in private,” Afoko said.
“But recent developments have compelled me to step forward. We need to get our party back into winning ways, and that starts with unity of purpose,” Afoko reiterated.
He framed the upcoming period as a test of whether NPP politics would mature or remain stuck in cycles of blame, but was optimistic that everyone who loves the party would come on board to realize the goal of making Dr Mahamudu Bawumia the next President of Ghana.
By: Jacob Aggrey
