Mixed reactions greet nosemask fines in Ho

A cross-section of people in Ho, the Volta Regional capital, have expressed mixed feelings on the imposition of fines on persons not wearing facemasks in the Municipality.

The Ho Municipal Assembly, with the backing of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, is imposing a GH¢20.00 fine on all persons found not wearing face masks, and had deployed a joint security task force to enforce the directives to contain the spread of COVID19.

Taxi drivers told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the sanctions would help save lives, and noted that most passengers refused to get on board when drivers were not in facemasks.

“As a driver, if you are stubborn and end up sending the disease to your family, it’s your own misfortune”, one driver said.

Maxwell, a journalist, said the Covid-19 taskforce must be sustained and asked that the police stepped up the arrest of drivers operating without nose masks, while also calling for “strict punishment” for non-compliant passengers.

“Stakeholders must show leadership. They seem to be doing the work in piecemeal. The cases are escalating and the resources must be used,” he said.

Yawa, who operates a popular street food joint said the guidelines and the sanctions were in place as the world grappled with the pandemic.

She, however, noted that masking up was a novelty that required time for people to adjust to, and also lamented that the GH¢20.00 fine was high for most petty traders who plied the streets daily for some income.

“The fine is not the best. The economic situation currently is bad. Most petty traders earn less than the GH¢20.00 a day. The masks should be distributed free of charge,” she stated.

Some traditional leaders also called for free masks and abolishment of the fines.

Togbe Kotoku XI, Paramount Chief of Kpenoe Traditional Area said he favoured extensive public education on the spot fines and also appealed for free masks for the public.

“I don’t think fining is the best idea. This season calls for education, and if the need be, Government must provide the facemasks,” he said.

He said chiefs of the Asogli Traditional Area were doing their best to aid compliance and urged the public to make personal safety a priority.

Togbe Kasa III, Dufia of Ho Ahoe said the information gap between urban and rural folk called for some considerations for the latter.

He said the sanctions could be delayed for some time and suggested that culprits should be forced to buy subsidised face masks instead.

Vincent Hodoli, a concerned citizen and political activist said the skyrocketing number of cases in the Country could have been avoided if the lockdown was sustained for much longer.

Commercial vehicle operators noted an increase in compliance, with eateries reporting that some customers refused to be served by attendants who had no nose coverings.

Checks by the Ghana News Agency indicate that as of Saturday, June 13, Volta region had 263 COVID-19 confirmed cases, 211 on treatment, 48 recoveries and four deaths.

The regional capital, Ho, tops the chart with 95 cases.