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Politics of Sunday, 10 May 2020

Source: radiogoldlive.com

Akufo-Addo relying on signs and wonders not science – Minority

Haruna Iddrisu Haruna Iddrisu

The minority in Parliament has accused President Akufo-Addo of relying on “signs and wonders” in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Questions have been raised about the decision of President Akufo-Addo to lift the three week old partial lock down at a time when COVID-19 cases were rising.

The President in response indicated that Science informed his decision.

The minority is however convinced the President relegated Science and took a terrible gamble with the lives of Ghanaian in deciding to lift the partial lock down.

The minority believes the President is struggling with the dilemma of choosing human lives ahead of his political ambitions and economic considerations.

“That decision has led to the situation where since the removal of the lockdown, confirmed cases have more than doubled and deaths have more than tripled. His quagmire: the economy/politics versus health,” the minority stated.

The minority says the decision to lift the lock down has led to the emergence of “hotspots” of COVID-19 in virtually all parts of Ghana

“President Akufo-Addo must take responsibility for this unfortunate turn of events,” the minority stated.

They called on the President to listen to the Ghana Medical Association’s call for a change in strategy.

“The Minority has duly taken note that following the President’s reversal of the partial lockdown and our worsening case count, the reputable Ghana Medical Association has publicly called for a different approach in containing and limiting the spread of COVID-19. We are in full support of this call. President Akufo-Addo should be led by sound epidemiological data and not political calculations,” they opined.

The Minority’s believes a “new policy approach based on Science” must be prioritized if the government is interested in preserving human lives, protecting Ghana’s health system and stay ahead of the disease.

“Ghana’s case count is now amongst the most infected countries in Africa. This has frightening prospects which demands an urgent change in strategy. As the science dictates, this cannot be the time for further easing of restrictions. We expect a more proactive policy response. We should be fighting the virus ahead of it and not from behind,” he stated.