Akufo-Addo's govt knew coronavirus will hit Ghana, they took things for granted - NDC MP

Member of Parliament for Juaboso Constituency, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh is blaming the six (6) confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the country on the Akufo-Addo led government.

He accuses the current administration of not being proactive enough to prevent the spread of the deadly COVID-19 in the country.

According to him, when the outbreak first occurred in China and hit other African countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that Ghanaians stand a high risk of contracting the COVID-19 due to the porous borders and the aviation system in the country.

Sadly, he claims, "the ruling government ignored all the promptings."

Speaking on Okay FM’s 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show, the Ranking Member on Health Committee in Parliament was of the firm belief that the current situation in the country with six confirmed Coronavirus cases, could have been avoided had the Akufo-Addo led government acted swiftly upon the WHO warnings and concerns expressed by the Minority in Parliament.

“We took things for granted from the onset and some people insulted us when we warned that we must intensify the precaution measures at our borders and the airport by quarantining people who have traveled to countries where the coronavirus has been detected . . . if anybody says that they didn’t know that Coronavirus will come to the country, then they did not follow the warning of the World Health Organization (WHO) . . ."

“In the governance system, everybody has a part to play. Ghana belongs to all of us and so even if you are in disagreement with someone politically, but he is making a lot of sense which can be helpful, we should stop the insults and work with the suggestion made by others because of our political differences,” he slammed.

He cautioned that “this coronavirus is no respecter of political colour, President, journalist, ministers and Member of Parliament as all are vulnerable. All of us should be vigilant with the outbreak of the coronavirus”.

He, therefore, urged every Ghanaian to put their destiny into their own hands by making their lives and that of their families their utmost priority.

“...wash your hands with running water and soap frequently and regularly and in the absence of water and soap, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer intermittently. Research has shown that alcohol-based sanitizer is one of the best preventive measures to curtail the spread of the coronavirus,” he advised.

“ . . I am not saying people should go and drink akpeteshie and neither have I said that if you drink akpeteshie, it can cure the coronavirus but if you have akpeteshie even though the alcohol-based hand sanitizer is the best, you can use akpeteshie to wash your hands in the absence of alcohol-based hand sanitizer and then use water to rinse your hands,” he cautioned.