We Should Savour The Eradication Of Guinea Worm

WE SHOULD SAVOUR THE ERADICATION OF GUINEA WORM INFECTIONS IN GHANA.

I felt a sense of pride within me when news broke out

that Ghana has finally, after many failed attempts been able to completely

eradicate guinea worm infections from its territory. Thus, from henceforth we

are no longer going to be classified as part of countries on the African

continent with cases of guinea worm infections.

So the colourful durbar that was held in the Northern

region and graced by the Vice President, John Dramani Mahama and other

traditional leaders deserves to be celebrated to the fullest because Ghana as a

country has come very far in realizing this dream.

This feat has become very possible due to the

commitment exhibited by successive governments that have ruled this nation who

made it their priority to rid Ghana from this water borne disease. Under no

circumstance should politicians attach political connotations to this good news

that we are basking in.

My admonition stems from the fact that any policy that

will improve the well-being of Ghanaians tends to be politicized to the extent

that we lose sight of the true benefit of what is being proposed. Policies such

as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), National Identification,

Affordable Housing Project, STX Housing Project, and recently, the proposals by

government to purchase five aircrafts for the military all bear testament to my

assertions.

I will first and foremost commend all guinea worm

victims who came forward to receive treatment from centers dotted around the

country, the National Guinea Worm Eradication Programme, deserve a big pat on

the back for their tireless dedication and the hard work they invested into the

eradication programme, the Ministry of Health and particularly the Mills-led

administration

for continuing the fight that the erstwhile Kufour administration started in

this regard.

Though, we should savour the good news for now, we

should be very mindful of the fact that the real battle to fight now is the

provision of good drinking water to communities where the guinea worm infection

was prevalent, and the continued education of people not to drink or bath

contaminated water or else, another outbreak that will erode all the successes

chalked.

Now that guinea worm is now history, government should

now focus its attention to the complete eradication of ailments like Measles,

Meningitis, Hepatitis B, Polio and others. This will go a long way to save the

country the thousands of Ghana cedis invested by government to purchase drugs

to combat these ailments. All hands should therefore be on deck so as to

realize the dream of Ghana free of cases of measles, meningitis, hepatitis B,

polio, and others.

A wealthy nation the old adage says is determined by

the health of its people, therefore we should strive to do better than what we

have immediately achieved, provided we do away with the political colouration

of issues of national concern.

ERIC OTENG JESSE

SANTA MARIA, ACCRA

CT3652 CANTONMENTS- ACCRA.