‘It’s unfair’ – Coronavirus contact tracers write to Akufo-Addo over slashed allowance

COVID-19 contact tracers have revealed that they are now receiving Gh¢70 as daily allowance instead of the announced Gh¢150.

“Mr President, on Sunday, the 5th of April 2020, you made a public announcement that Contact Tracers across the country would be given a Gh¢150 daily allowance for their efforts in the fight against Covid-19. This announcement was very timely and welcoming since by then none of us knew how much we were getting even after working for days.

“However, for the entire month of May, the money was not paid until on the 1st of June when we were asked to come the next day for our monies. We proceeded to our accountants for the money the next day only to be informed that, we are taking Gh¢70 per day and not the announced Gh¢150 per day,” a part of the letter reads.

They have therefore written an open letter to President Akufo-Addo to address their concern.

Below is the full open letter:

Good day sir,

Accept a warm felicitation from us.

We pray our letter finds you in a good health condition as you lead your beloved country in this fight against an invisible enemy.

Mr President, on Sunday, the 5th of April 2020, you made a public announcement that Contact Tracers across the country would be given a Ghc150 daily allowance for their efforts in the fight against Covid-19. This announcement was very timely and welcoming since by then none of us knew how much we were getting even after working for days.

Mr. President, for the month of April, the money was paid as you announced and we thank you for that.

However, for the entire month of May, the money was not paid until on the 1st of June when we were asked to come the next day for our monies. We proceeded to our accountants for the money the next day only to be informed that, we are taking Ghc70 per day and not the announced Ghc150 per day.

So Mr. President, we would like to humbly enquire whether your office has reviewed the amount or some entities within the region want to “cheat” us.

Mr. President, when the announcement for the recruitment of health professionals to work as Contact Tracers was made, almost everyone was afraid to partake. A few of us showed up for the orientation and training, and a few among those who showed for the training actually showed up for work for fear of contracting the virus. But some of us against all odds sacrificed and contributed our quota in this fight. We faced some stigmatisations and distancing from even family members due to fear. People feared getting close to us just because of the work we do. But that did not deter us in fighting to make Ghana safe again.

The successes chalked in the fight would not have been possible without our tireless efforts in Tracing and Testing some 153,056 people and recording 4956 positives. This could not have been possible without us.

Mr. President, it is unfair for us to work all week including Saturdays and Sundays only for us to be denied what is due us. It is unfair sir.

So we call on your esteemed office to issue a statement, possibly through the daily Ministerial Press Briefings to shed some light on this issue.

Thank you Mr. President

Convener

Coalition of Contact Tracers, Ashanti Region.

0200983057

Cc:

Minister of Health

Minister of Information

Director General, GHS