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Stop stigmatisation of COVID-19 victims…Mrs Gifty Twum Ampofo.
In the Kwaiebibirim Constituency, some residents have suspected a man who had returned into the country to with the COVID-19 virus have called on the chiefs and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to evacuate the man, from the community stating that they would not stay in the area with him.
Such incidents and stigmatisation of such persons has caused emotional trauma among people with the virus leading to some refusing to attend hospitals when they have the symptoms.
The COVID-19 pandemic did not only cause havoc in the country but had also led to people stigmatising others who contracted the virus whether recovered or not, or have returned from one of the countries that have been hard hit by the virus.
In an exclusive interview with the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North Constituency, Mrs Gifty Twum Ampofo, on the issue, she urged the public to stop stigmatisation of coronavirus patients and rather show a sense of love and care towards them, adding that, more education was needed on the pandemic.
According to the MP who is also Deputy Minister for Education in charge of TVET a lot of people have less education on how a person can be infected.
She said there was no need to stigmatise coronavirus patients or people suspected to have the virus since it was not a disease that kills instantly.
“Even though the virus has no known cure for it, a lot of people have recovered. The fact that someone has contracted the virus does not mean his end has come.”
Mrs Twum-Ampofo noted that, rather than stigmatise them, people should show care and love, adding, “It would motivate others to quickly visit the hospital or go”. to the testing centres if they have acquired the virus,”
She lamented that because of stigmatisation, people were not going to the hospital to even find out if they have the virus when they see signs and symptoms of the virus in them, and reiterated the need to stop the stigmatisation and treat them well, adding anybody could be a victim.
“Once a person has been declared recovered by the Ghana Health Service, it means the person has truly recovered considering the number of tests that would have been done,” she said.
Mrs Twum-Ampofo revealed that, according to GHS statistics about 494 patients have recovered as at May 12, 2020, adding that, those who have died were said to have underlining health issues.
“Those who have recovered are not harmful as those of us who have not yet checked to know our status,” she stated, and called on the citizenry to have sympathy for such people and rather show them love in this era of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She also called on the public to ensure that, they observed all safety protocols including proper handwashing, social distancing, respiratory hygiene among others to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana Tourism Authority is leading Ghana’s participation at ITB Berlin, which opened in Berlin with a vibrant national pavilion highlighting Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, tourism destinations and investment opportunities.
March 5 has been designated as Ghana Day, a special platform to promote Ghana’s languages, cuisine, Kente, festivals and business prospects to the global tourism community. The stand has already drawn strong interest with traditional arts and crafts displays, immersive multimedia presentations and popular Ghanaian snacks.
Seven private-sector players are exhibiting alongside government officials as part of efforts to deepen trade partnerships, expand market access, and attract investment across the hospitality, heritage tourism, ecotourism, and creative arts sectors.
Ahead of the official opening, the Ghana delegation also engaged young Ghanaian investors in Germany in collaboration with V Afrika-Verein and the Ghana Embassy, strengthening diaspora investment linkages and highlighting opportunities within the tourism value chain.
Ghana’s coordinated presence at ITB Berlin 2026 reinforces its strategy to position the country as the Gateway to Africa and a competitive destination for leisure travel and global investment.
