Mahama on why there should be mass testing for Covid-19

Former President John Dramani Mahama has called for the mass testing of students, teachers and church attendants in the event of the easing of restrictions imposed on schools and churches to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said at least, the testing should take place at the “point of need.”

In his latest write-up on the coronavirus pandemic, Mr Mahama said: “In the face of the imminent easing of restrictions, let me repeat the call on the government to consider conducting mass testing, at least, at the point of need.”

Explaining, he said: “What it means is that, for instance, all students, teachers and ancillary staff returning to school or church attendants, following the easing of restrictions, should undergo a mandatory COVID-19 test as a safety precaution”.

President hints

Last week, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo hinted of plans to ease the COVID-19 restrictions in the country very soon.

Addressing a delegation from the Anlo traditional Council that called on him at the Jubilee House, the President said: “Stakeholder consultations are taking place on the way forward towards the easing of restrictions so that our social and economic lives can go back to normal.

“I expect these consultations to conclude this week so that I can announce to Ghanaians a clear road map for easing the restrictions. We have to find a way back, but in safety, for we cannot be under these restrictions forever.”

Hasty decision

In his latest write-up, Mr Mahama said the government had accumulated enough resources in the name of the pandemic to be able to fund a mass testing, even if it had to rely on private laboratories “for the sake of the life and health of Ghanaians.”

Notwithstanding his call for mass testing, Mr Mahama said he was against “hasty reopening of schools.”

“I must indicate here my support for the position of the various teacher unions and parents who have spoken and cautioned against the hasty reopening of schools. Government must pay close attention and take into consideration, the concerns of the various unions and parents” he said.

Mr Mahama said any decision taken by the government to ease the restrictions needed to be based on the utmost respect for human life and the science of the disease the world and the country was dealing with.

He said decisions based on false premises would have grave consequences for all Ghanaians.

Public education

On public education on the disease, he said the government had unfortunately not managed it efficiently.

According to him, the latest communication created the false impression that all was well with the management and spread of the disease.

“The advice from the President and other government officials that we should begin to learn to live with the disease suggests that you and I must take our destiny into our own hands as far as COVID-19 is concerned.

“This is coming at a time that public education on the disease has dwindled to the extent that observance of hygiene and distancing protocols, as I indicated earlier, appear to be waning, “ he stated.

Mr Mahama said the absence of an effective mass education programme had contributed to the avoidable stigmatisation of people who had recovered from the infection.

Mask wearing

The former President further emphasised the wearing of masks.

“The benefit of wearing face masks at this time is obvious, and I reiterate my call on government to utilise some of the funds from the Stabilisation Fund and the IMF to enhance local production and free distribution of re-usable face masks to especially vulnerable communities and groups,” he said.

Additionally, he said, the government needed to set aside some funds to assist those who had lost their means of livelihood and places of abode as a result of stigmatisation.

He said the government's refusal to involve traditional rulers and assembly members in the education and management of the disease had been a big gap in the National Response Plan.

Safety

Mr Mahama appealed to the public to strictly adhere to physical distancing, avoid touching commonly used surfaces and ensure they sanitised their hand when they did.

“But more importantly is the wearing of face masks anytime you decide to step out. Ensure that the next person sitting away from you or talking to you is wearing a mask too. For those who have re-usable masks, remember to soak and wash them in soapy water and press with a hot iron every day,” he said.

Parliament

Mr Mahama said reports that the virus had spread to the Chamber and offices of Parliament were very disturbing. He therefore called for transparency in communicating the full picture of the extent of the disease.

“What it means is that, for instance, all students, teachers and ancillary staff returning to school or church attendants, following the easing of restrictions, should undergo a mandatory COVID-19 test as a safety precaution.”