Sam George, Zanetor, 'fight' Coronavirus in Parliament

Some Members of Parliament have began wearing safety gears to protect themselves from the COVID-19, in the face of confirmed cases as announced by Ghana's health ministry.

Spotted wearing gloves and masks were Klottey Korle, Zanetor Rawlings; MP for Ningo Prampram, Sam Nartey George; and MP for Juaboso, Mintah Akandoh Kwabena during Friday's sitting at the chamber.

According to the MPs, there was the need to take maximum protection especially after news broke that Ghana recorded two cases from persons coming from Norway and Turkey.

In an interview with GhanaWeb about the development, Sam George said, “I am protecting myself.”

He further asked that the Parliament of Ghana be provided with automated hand sanitizers instead of the manual ones which he said had a tendency to spread the virus faster.

On running tests and quarantine services, Sam George was of the view that MPs needed to be tested since most of them are on frequent travels to affected countries.

‘We have individuals who have come through the airport in Parliament over the past two weeks from Norway. They are sitting in the Chamber with us. They have not been tested. We have not been tested. I think every Member of Parliament should be tested. We should set a very good precedent as leaders of this country, allow ourselves to be tested.”

Kwabena Akandoh, on his part, expressed disappointment in government over the manner in which the pandemic is being handled in the country. In his words, “government’s preparedness is very porous.”

Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, announced on Wednesday night during a national address that he had issued a directive to Finance Minister to release the fund as part of government’s preparedness to deal with coronavirus

Akufo-Addo in the address said the monies will be used to “expand infrastructure, buy materials and equipment, and public education.”