Coronavirus: Our collective survival is at stake – Kojo Oppong Nkrumah

Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah is urging for a collective effort from leadership and all Ghanaians in these trying times to ensure that the deadly coronavirus pandemic fast spreading in the country is dealt with and eradicated.

His counsel comes in the wake of some 52 confirmed cases recorded in the country over a period of two weeks. Some 25 cases were recorded Tuesday morning, adding to the previous 27 recorded in the country as at Monday, March 24, 2020.

Speaking during a press conference, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah was emphatic about government’s commitment to solving the crisis, reiterating all measures in place to ensure that.

While urging all to join forces to ensure the pandemic is dealt with once and for all, he said, “Channel all your energy into helping us spread the safety, preventive measures, its better to spend time looking at how to prevent it than to panic. Spread count, spread information, spread knowledge, so that we can all protect ourselves.”

“Those who want to smuggle people through the borders, and those who want to aid the flouting of directives like the quarantine, those who want to disrupt focus with all kinds of gimmicks, that our collective survival is at stake, it’s important to join us to focus on the necessary measures that have been put out there. Government is taking all the humanly possible measures based on advice from the experts.” He further said.

About the rising cases, he urged all and sundry to remain calm, implement the directives from government and maintain personal safety and hygiene habits.

“Do not panic”, he said, maintaining that the rise in numbers are expected. He was however optimistic about a gradual and eventual containment of the situation, with all the effective measures in place.

“The case count rise should be expected. The general theory is that you are going to have a rise and then as all your measures work, you begin to bring down your numbers and flatten the curve”.

The minister further reiterated government’s announcement of a national day of fasting and prayers for the country, to beseech God’s mercy in these times.

“We are a nation that believes in God as well and that’s why the President, Vice and Education minister have said that tomorrow, Wednesday March 25, is a national day for prayer and fasting.”