‘Don’t come’ – Ghana’s coronavirus MPs, staff defy orders to stay away from Parliament

Ghanaian MPs and staff who have tested positive for the deadly Covid-19 are defying orders to stay away from the House.

The leadership of Parliament say it is frustrating and helpless in getting the infected individuals to adhere to safety etiquette to prevent the spread of the virus in the House.

There were controversies surrounding the Covid-19 status of Ghanaian legislators following an enhanced testing exercise.

Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak, was reported to have confirmed multiple media reports that two of his colleague MPs and some staff have contracted the virus.

Presenting the business statement before the House Friday, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader cautioned such persons to stop visiting the House.

Mensah-Bonsu, who also doubles as Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, wants infected MPs, staff to stay away from Parliament.

The Suame MP noted that the affected persons including some journalists have defied communications about COVID-19 that they should stay away following their positive results.

“The arrangement was that anybody who unfortunately tested positive would not be openly identified but that the testing team could have the arrangement to contact them behind the curtains and have the situation managed.

“Unfortunately, some people have relented, after contact is made with them they ignore the appeal from the chief, and they visit parliament and they endanger the lives of all of us. The issue is to figure if you submitted yourself, you tested negative as some of us have on two occasions I’ve tested negative.”

Mr Mensah-Bonsu insisted “that doesn’t mean that I’m out of the woods. If anybody tests positive and comes close to me, chances that I may contract the disease, and it goes for everybody. Mr speaker, so we want to appeal to honourable members, to the staff and to journalists who have been contacted behind the curtains and who are to submit themselves to the testing team, you are endangering the lives of others. If you are contacted, please don’t come.”

On his part, Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu assured that the confidentiality of medical records remains of extreme paramount importance hence urged the said persons to avail themselves.

Speaker of Parliament, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye said the medical team will conduct another test next week for MPs and staff.

He warned that any MP or journalists who fail to conduct the test will be ban from entering the premises of Parliament.