Coronavirus: Don’t keep results of MPs a secret - Ablakwa

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has expressed disappointment in how the testing of MPs and parliamentary staff has been managed.

The legislator says he does not support the idea of keeping the results from the COVID-19 a secret.

The MP in a Facebook post said: "There should be nothing to hide. Let us lead by example and in a way that avoids entrenching stigmatization which is becoming a major challenge in the national coronavirus response.”

He added: "Even more troubling; by refusing to be transparent we shall fail to observe the urgently needed contact tracing and disinfecting protocols thereby endangering the health of those associated with Parliament including all MPs, staff, journalists, family relations, guests of Parliament and our constituents, many of whom we continue to engage very regularly.”

Earlier today, the Minority Chief Whip Muntaka Mubarak expressed shock reasons why parliament would deny that some two MPs and 13 parliamentary staff have tested positive to the virus.

He also wants parliament to be transparent as keeping this a secret would defeat the purpose of containing the virus.

Read Ablakwa’s full post below

As I noted earlier today on the floor of Parliament though with some resistance from the Rt. Hon. Speaker which I take in stride, I am totally disappointed in how the COVID-19 testing of MPs and Staff of the House has been managed.

There should be nothing to hide. Let us lead by example and in a way that avoids entrenching stigmatization which is becoming a major challenge in the national coronavirus response.

Many world leaders and institutions of repute have not concealed the result of their tests, the Ghanaian Parliament shouldn’t be an unworthy exception.

Even more troubling; by refusing to be transparent we shall fail to observe the urgently needed contact tracing and disinfecting protocols thereby endangering the health of those associated with Parliament including all MPs, staff, journalists, family relations, guests of Parliament and our constituents, many of whom we continue to engage very regularly.

COVID-19 is not a death sentence. Let the august House set a better example!