While we observe safety measures, it is important we pray to God too - Bawumia

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has justified why the government has decided to seek God's intervention in the quest to combat the spread the of Coronavirus.

President Akufo-Addo yesterday met Christian leaders for a breakfast prayer meeting, and the Vice President did same with Muslim leaders at the Jubilee House earlier today.

A few people have criticised the government for resorting to prayers to deal with the situation.

Vice President Bawumia, has however rejected such criticism, insisting that while the government puts in measures to curb the situation, it is equally important for Ghana, as a country of faith, to also call on the Almighty God.

"We have unflinching belief in the Almighty Allah that he has what it takes to save us and the world from this affliction," Dr. Bawumia said.

"As Allah himself says in the Holy Qur'an Chapter 6:17, "And if Allah should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except him. And if he touches you with good, then he is over all things competent."

The Vice President himself prayed for Allah's intervention, reciting verses in the Qur'an including Chapter 112, which he explained is one of the most powerful chapters in the Qur'an which underlines the supremacy of the Almighty Allah.

"Indeed, it is you alone we worship, and it is you we ask for help. May the Almighty Allah have mercy on us and save us from this malady," prayed the Vice President.

The Vice President urged the eminent Imams and Ghanaians in general that, while praying to the Almighty Allah for his intervention, they should also seriously observe the preventive measures the government has announced.

"While we observe our daily prayers at home and supplicate to Allah to save us from the Coronavirus, it is essential that we continue to strictly observe the preventive measures that have been announced to help keep everyone safe," the Vice President advised.

"Covering our mouths when coughing and sneezing, as well as washing our hands regularly with soap and under running water are some of the preventive steps we should continuously adhere to."

Dr. Bawumia particularly advised Muslims to wash their hands with soap under running water before they perform ablution.

"It is also important for us (Muslims) to thoroughly wash our hands with soap under running water to ensure our hands are thoroughly clean before we start ablution."

"As the government continues to take decisive steps to curb the spread and we strictly observe these preventive measures to protect us from contracting and further spreading the virus, inshaa Allah, I wish to urge our eminent Imams to continue to pray for us, our dear nation Ghana and the world."