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Tanzanian president urges public not to fear COVID-19 pandemic
Tanzanian President John Magufuli on Sunday urged members of the public to stop fearing the COVID-19 pandemic but he said they should continue observing protective guidelines issued by health authorities.
Magufuli made the appeal when he attended Sunday prayers at a church in his native town of Chato in Geita region, said a statement by the Directorate of Communications at State House.
According to the statement, President Magufuli urged Tanzanians to continue working hard, especially in mass production of food saying neighboring countries which were on lockdown will need food supplies when the lockdown was relaxed.
The president reiterated his decision to rule out a lockdown and closure of borders because he said doing so will affect production, implementation of projects and other economic activities, said the statement.
He appealed to religious leaders to conduct prayers for three consecutive days from next Friday, Saturday and Sunday to thank God because COVID-19 infections in the east African nation have started to go down.
Magufuli said latest statistics showed that as of Sunday, Amana hospital in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam which had 198 COVID-19 patients now remained with 12 patients, Mloganzila hospital admitted 30 patients but it now remained with six patients and Lulanzi health facility in Kibaha district had more than 50 patients but it now remained with 22 patients.
He added that in private hospitals like the Aga Khan Hospital remained with 31 COVID-19 patients, Hindu Mandal Hospital remained with 16 patients.”Even my child was infected with COVID-19 but has recovered after taking lemons and ginger. This disease will therefore spread and be contained,” said Magufuli.
The president said if the trend of recovery continued persistently he will soon reopen universities, adding that he was also thinking of resuming sports events.
Magufuli also ordered the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and other relevant authorities to allow tourists who had planned to visit Tanzania. “You should not stop planes bringing tourists in the country,” he said. -Xinhua
MR Samuel Yao Atidzah, the Executive Director of GOSANET Foundation, has stated that HIV does not define a person, but “dignity, respect and love do.”
He reminded Ghanaians that no one should face discrimination because of his or her HIV status.
Mr Atidzah said this in a statement in Ho of the Volta Region to commemorate World Zero Discrimination Day.
The Day was initiated by UNAIDS in 2014 and celebrated annually on March 1 by the UN and other Organisations to promote equality, inclusion, and peace for everyone regardless of age, gender, race, or sexual orientation.
It highlights the need to end discrimination laws and actions, particularly regarding HIV/AIDS stigma.
This year’s day is on the theme: ‘People first: Standing united for dignity, equality and inclusion.’
Mr Atidzah urged all to stand together to end stigma and discrimination and promote inclusion, support People Living with AIDS in their communities.
“We have often been quick in judging people just because he or she has contracted the HIV virus; we’re in a haste to brand them as people lacking dignity.”
“We must also not lose sight of the fact that it is not every patient that attract the disease from sexual inter-course. There are those that were born with it and those who were cut by affected by objects,” he explained.
He advised all to know their status through HIV Self-testing kits, adding “it is private, confidential, safe and empowering.”
The Executive Director urged both young and old that taking charge of their health was a sign of strength and not shame.
“I urge all and sundry to get tested now, know your status, protect yourself and protect others,” he noted. –GNA
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THREE inter-related books chronicling the political history of Ghana’s Heads of State are set to be launched this month.
The books offers readers an in-depth account of the country’s constitutional and military leadership from independence to the Fourth Republic.
Authored by former Presidential Reporter of The Ghanaian Times, F. Baffour Opoku, the books explore the ideologies, leadership styles, achievements, challenges and international engagements of Ghana’s past leaders.
The first book, Constitutional Rule in Ghana’s First, Second and Third Republics, examines the administrations of Kwame Nkrumah, Edward Akufo-Addo, Kofi Abrefa Busia and Hilla Limann, highlighting key political and socio-economic developments during the First, Second and Third Republics.
The second publication, Constitutional Rule in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, provides insight into leadership under the Fourth Republic, covering the era of Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor, John Evans Atta Mills, John Dramani Mahama, and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The third book, Military Rule in Ghana between 1966 and 1993, documents significant political events during periods of military governance.
It discusses the leadership of Joseph Arthur Ankrah, first Chairman of the National Liberation Council (NLC); Akwasi Amankwa Afrifa, second Chairman of the NLC; Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, Chairman of the National Redemption Council (NRC) and later the Supreme Military Council (SMC); Frederick William Kwasi Akufo, Chairman of the reconstituted SMC; and Jerry John Rawlings, who led both the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).
According to the author, the books provide detailed, one-stop information on the activities and governance records of each Head of State during their respective tenures.
In addition to political analysis, the books feature biographical accounts of the Heads of State, as well as colourful photo albums capturing significant national events during their tenure.
Mr Opoku notes that as Chief Executives of the nation, the leaders profiled in the books served with dedication and commitment, and their contributions to nation-building deserve recognition and documentation for present and future generations.
The launch is expected to attract political figures, academics, members of the media and the general public.
By Spectator Reporter
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