GhanaWeb Special: Life back to normal in parts of Tema after coronavirus hotspot scare

Ghana, like several other countries reeling under the scourge of the Novel Coronavirus has already began to remove restrictions with the hope that people will continue to adhere to safety protocols.

But even under restrictions, safety protocols are blatantly disregarded, according to several media reports. In instances where they are observed, questions about efficiency were raised.

Last week, GhanaWeb toured parts of some coronavirus hotspots in the capital city, Accra and not much difference could be drawn, perhaps aside the sight of some veronica buckets at some vantage points.

Social distancing protocols were absolutely disregarded, and not much positive reports could be filed for the use of nose masks and other safety gears.

Traders and commuters told the news team they had no other choice while others went as far as doubting the existence of the virus. This week, we continued our series in Tema, another main coronavirus hotspot and the narrative remained the same.

In spite of the damning coronavirus reports from the enclave, some residents and commuters and even business owners appeared unfazed about the virus.

Community 1

In Tema community 1 site 20, life was back to absolute normalcy with virtually no evidence of safety protocols being adhered to. Though some residents claimed they have been complying with the safety protocols over the past months, none of that could be verified.

A resident who owns a barber’s shop told GhanaWeb that since the removal of restrictions on movement and the subsequent declaration of the area as a hotspot, he is yet to see his neighbours strictly adhering to safety protocols.

In his words, “We are in a Zongo community and if the virus begins to spread here it’ll be extremely dangerous. There’s absolute disregard for social distancing protocols but anytime we talk about it they don’t listen to us…I’ve heard the virus is quite prevalent around the industrial area, but I haven’t seen any and some people want to see some patients and corpses on TV before they believe. I asked someone if he’d be happy if his mother is shown on TV in case she gets infected and he was laughing…”

Community 8

To some residents in Tema community 8, the novel coronavirus which has so far killed 36 people in the country is nothing but a fictitious narrative.

Thus, until they see some infected persons displayed on TV it would be almost impossible to accept that the virus is real. This also means that they aren’t concerned enough to exercise caution.

A resident who agreed to speak to GhanaWeb said, “I believe the virus is real but I don’t believe the virus is real in Africa…because unlike Europe and America where they make videos of patients and hospitals for us to see what’s going on, I’m yet to see that here in Africa…it’s not a hidden thing now that when someone gets it you’ll hide it…So they should let us believe what they are saying.”

When asked why he wasn’t wearing a nose mask he replied, “I cannot wear a nose mask for what I don’t believe in, me I don’t believe in it that’s the truth…”

Tema Fishing Harbour

Due to the unexpected infection of more than 500 workers in a fish-processing factory (Pioneer fishing company limited) commuters and market women at the seafront city of Tema also expressed worry about commuting in the enclave.

Though they admitted that authorities come by often to sensitize them on how to keep safe, to them it wasn’t enough. Because anytime the fish vessels arrive, social distancing protocols are thrown out.

A tour around the area revealed a rather worrying trend of absolute disregard for social distancing protocol.