News
Virologist asks govt to institute localised lockdown
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/VIROLOGIST-Dr-Owusu.jpg&description=Virologist asks govt to institute localised lockdown', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/VIROLOGIST-Dr-Owusu.jpg&description=Virologist asks govt to institute localised lockdown', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
A virologist at the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR), Dr Michael Owusu, has asked the government to institute localised lockdowns in COVID-19 hotspots across the country.
He noted that the virus was running ahead of the nation and the only way to prevent the health system from being completely overwhelmed was to impose restrictions since the country’s state in relation to the pandemic was not as being reflected from the government.
Commenting on the development, Dr Owusu cautioned that “the figures have become a cause for concern as many fear issues may spiral out of control and if drastic and critical steps are not taken immediately to stop the rapid infection rate, a catastrophe will soon hit the country and issues will get out of hand”.
The virologist insisted that the government has to restrict the movement of persons to stem the infection rate and he believes that is the only sure way of reducing the rate of infections as there were people who had tested positive but were still going about their daily activities.
“I know people who are positive but still going to work, if a lockdown is imposed they will have no option than to stay home, if this is not done and more people, including health workers get infected and die, it can lead to the country being swamped by the virus since morale in health workers can be affected,” Dr Owusu warned.
Contributing to the discussion, Dr Ernest Yorke, the President of the Greater Accra Chapter of the Ghana Medical Association bemoaned the government’s painting a picture of everything being rosy when it was not saying “Ghana stands a chance of losing everything if the direction is not changed in COVID-19 management in our country and I also support the call of a localised lockdown.
“The government will, however, want to weigh the social and political impact of such a measure before going for it but am sure if a decisive move is not taken soon, the country will lose all gains made so far,” he cautioned.
The government has fought off claims that the figures are being massaged to create a good picture. -myjoyonline.com
Construction of a major underground stormwater drain along the Dr. Busia Highway within the Kaneshie enclave will commence on September 7, 2026.
The Project Coordinator for the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Sarfo, announced this at a special media briefing on Wednesday.
According to him, the works will involve the construction of a double-cell underground rectangular drain measuring approximately 10 metres wide and 1.95 kilometres long, stretching from Pamprom Junction to First Light Junction.
The new drain will replace the existing two 1.2-metre diameter pipes, which are inadequate to carry the volume of stormwater in the area.
Dr. Sarfo said the drain will connect at one end to the recently completed section within the Accra Academy campus and at the other end to the existing drain at Pamprom Junction.
He said the construction is expected to run from September 2026 to October 2027.
The project forms part of government’s broader flood prevention and mitigation programme aimed at addressing perennial flooding in Accra.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has withdrawn from the party’s National Chairmanship race.
In a statement issued yesterday, Chairman Wontumi who is currently serving a 20-year jail term said his decision was driven by his love for the party and his unwillingness to let his personal circumstances distract the NPP from its rebuilding efforts.
“There are moments in the life of a man when the heart wants to continue, but duty demands sacrifice. Moments when one must quietly set aside personal ambition, not because the dream has died, but because the family he loves must not be made to carry his burden. Today, I find myself at such a painful moment,” he wrote.
He disclosed that after many nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters, he concluded that his present situation must not become an additional burden on the NPP.
“This is not the decision my heart desired, but sometimes, true love requires us to release what we deeply want in order to protect what we love even more,” he added.
Recounting his years of service, Chairman Wontumi said he had served the party with everything within him, walking through heat and rain, travelling to remote communities and standing with the grassroots in both victory and defeat.
“For many years, I have served the NPP with everything within me… The NPP is not merely a political party to me. It is my family. It is my home. It is a cause to which I have dedicated a significant part of my life,” he stated.
He explained that the party, already carrying the pain of electoral defeat and the huge responsibility of preparing for the future, should not be made to carry his personal weight.
“That is why I cannot allow my present situation or personal ambition to distract the party from the difficult work of rebuilding. I cannot ask the party to carry my weight when it is already carrying the pain of defeat and the enormous responsibility of preparing for the battle ahead. I would rather carry this pain quietly than allow the party I love to suffer because of me,” he said.
He further sympathized with his supporters across the 16 regions, acknowledging that the decision would be painful for many who had sacrificed for his campaign.
“To my teeming supporters across all sixteen regions, I know this message will hurt. I know many of you will read it with tears in your eyes because I understand the sacrifices you have made for this journey,” he said.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
