Socialist Forum calls for random mass testing for coronavirus

The Socialist Forum of Ghana (SFG) has called on the government to establish a regime of random mass testing and use school buildings, hospitals and health facilities that have not yet been commissioned to serve as quarantine centres.

A statement from the SFG, signed by Mr Blaise Tulo, the Convener of the Group and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the current situation also required the total mobilization of all sections of the Ghanaian society to carry out relief operations and intensify public education.

The Group also recommended an immediate and unconditional lockdown as the only effective means of combatting the virus, given the fact that other options like getting more qualified health personnel and improving the stock of hospital beds were not currently available and “any further delay would be detrimental to the health of Ghana.”

“The spread of the COVID-19 should open our eyes to the reality that health care cannot be treated as a commodity, which can be made available to only those who can afford. Healthcare ought to be seen properly as a social service, which ought to be accessible to all citizens. The socialization of health care is a task, which cannot be ignored any longer,” the statement said.

It said due to the pandemic, the leadership of SFG on Monday, March 23, 2020, suspended all its activities including cultural events, public fora and film shows.

The statement urged all members to strictly follow the prescriptions of the scientific community on how to deal with the pandemic.