YOUR SAFETY IS IN YOUR OWN HANDS
- The Ghana Public Health Association has noticed, with growing concern, the
emergence of the dreaded Coronavirus variant termed, “Delta variant,” in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa and the rest of the world. - This invasion of the variant in Ghana is occurring, unfortunately, at a time when there appears to be universal disdain to complying with COVID-19 safety protocols, especially wearing of face masks. Some religious and other groups are complicit in this offence.
- The devastation of this variant in India, in terms of mortality and morbidity, has shocked humanity with rippling economic and other consequences, far and near. Families had to queue to cremate their dead loved ones.
- The reality of the situation is that new variants will continue to emerge, some more transmissible and/or more pathogenic and virulent. We still have a window of opportunity to protect ourselves, our families and loved ones irrespective of the variant.
- We remind everyone that only two cases of COVID-19 were detected in Ghana in March 2020 before the infection spread countrywide, and we are still struggling to contain that community spread with its socio-economic consequences.
- It is under this scenario that the Ghana Public Health Association calls on the public to take responsibility for their own health and safety and that of their loved ones. We believe that despite the enormous effort of the government to ensure that we are all healthy and safe, it is a fallacy to think that everything can, and should, be left in the hands of the government to ensure our safety.
- We plead with the public to follow laid down COVID-19 protocols, especially the wearing of face masks in public places. We should also avail ourselves with the opportunity of vaccination whenever available.
- We call on all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to continue educating their constituents, and enforce the laws guiding COVID-19 prevention and control. Transport Unions have an obligation to ensure that passengers wear their masks when in public transport, and religious leaders should take this initiative as their religious duty if they love their followers.
- We admonish the government not to be complacent but take all the necessary measures to assure our safety, ultimately, no matter the cost of such measures.
Official document :
GPHA 