Ebola scare and our traditional handshake
Over the years, I believe most Ghanaians have not openly expressed massive concern over the spread of any epidemic as they are doing in the current threat of Ebola, which is menacingly spreading across the sub-region.
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We in Ghana should consider ourselves lucky because the disease has not yet surfaced here. The information made available by the health experts claim that the 37 cases suspected to be somehow connected to Ebola had all tested negative.
However, from the sensitisation that is going on, particularly concerning the mode of transmission of the disease, which includes the exchange of fluids as well as coming into contact with those who have been infected with the virus, the epidemic is really disturbing.
Another major way of transmission is through handshakes, the consumption of some game such as bats, grasscutters and antelopes, among others.
I know how Ghanaians cherish these ‘bush meat’ because they are not the red meat. These meat are usually grilled or smoked to remove all the fatty substances in them before they are used in preparing meals.
I, however, think since it has been established that ‘bush meat’ could put a person at risk, it should not be a difficult choice for the lovers of ‘bush meat’ to adjust their craving for the meat.
The most difficult and daring challenge I envisage in the wake of this Ebola threat is the advice from the health experts that people should try to avoid handshakes.
In fact, the week I learned that Ebola could also be transmitted through handshakes and that we should restrict ourselves to using our elbows or fists instead of our palms as we usually did, I realised that this was going to be a sure recipe for trouble and conflict among friends, families, church members, as well as communities.
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Seriously, I looked back at what pertained in my church where every Sunday as part of the praise and worship sessions members of the congregation exchanged pleasantries with one another through handshakes and hugs and realised this was surely going to court trouble for some of us.
I told myself before I went to church that Sunday that I would try to refrain from shaking hands with my church members and that even if I should, I would only adopt the fist type of greeting.
But alas! That did not happen. I could not stick to my plan because Ghanaians as we are, we have deep-seated traditional beliefs and handshakes are part of our cultural practice to express felicitations. They mean a lot in our non-verbal cues.
Therefore as some enthusiastic members of my church came round with open palms to say hi, I could not resist lest I was branded an arrogant person, which I am not, anyway. I responded to members’ exchanges and on and on it went.
One scary thing about the Ebola threat is its mode of transmission, which really puts me and many other Ghanaians in an uneasy situation.
Most of us have by now been made aware of the dos and don’ts on Ebola and have, therefore, decided to be cautious and meticulous with our personal hygiene and sanitation by washing our hands with soap as many times as we can every day. We should also desist from eating or drinking from questionable sources.
My greatest worry is that while some of us are doing our best to maintain a high level of cleanliness, others remain careless about the way they do things and are not cautious about adopting a clean and healthy lifestyle.
It is this group of people, particularly the food vendors and hawkers, who are likely to jeopardise the health of some of us.
The Ebola threat is real and we do not have to joke with it. It therefore behoves all of us to embrace guidelines and directives, especially those on health and safety, to save this nation from a full-blown epidemic.
We must count ourselves lucky that so far, no Ebola case has been recorded in Ghana.