The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has released a press statement calling on the government to declare a lockdown in the country with immediate effect.
Earlier today, we reported that Ghana now has 68 coronavirus cases, according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS). There have been 15 more confirmed cases since the last cases were announced less than 24 hours ago.
We also reported that three persons have been reported dead.
According to the Association, they want only persons providing essential services to be allowed to go about their activities in times President Akufo-Addo has described as “not ordinary.”
Part of the statement reads;
“The lockdown though not a comfortable decision for leadership and citizens alike is a proven option backed by science and along with the other measures will ultimately be in our best interest. We call on all Ghanaians to support such a move in the national interest to save our nation from the devastating effects of this pandemic”.
There have been lots of calls for a lockdown to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. At a press conference on Tuesday, Kojo Opong Nkrumah, the Information Minister said based on professional expert advice it is premature to impose a lockdown in the country.
He, however, believes that all options are “on the table” as the Akufo-Addo-led administration is prepared to implement the needful when necessary.
But the Ghana Medical Association said, “the disturbing trend of community spread and the obvious inadequate capacity (logistics and human resource) of the nation’s health system to deal with increased cases of Covid-19 infection especially severe and critical cases.”
Read the full statement below;
