Mixed reactions greet easing of COVID-19 restrictions

Mixed reactions have greeted the easing of COVID-19 restrictions on religious activities in the country by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo last Sunday.

The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) has urged churches to use the easing of the restrictions as an opportunity to educate people on the safety protocols on the disease, reports Timothy Ngnenbe.

The President of the conference, the Most Rev. Philip Naameh, said churches must strictly adhere to the guidelines on physical distancing, the provision of hand-washing equipment and the wearing of nose masks to ensure that their facilities did not become fertile grounds for the spread of the virus.

“Churches should not see the relaxing of the ban on social gatherings as an opportunity for 100 people to meet and worship God. It is important that we use this opportunity to participate in the education of people, so that we can collectively win the fight against the COVID-19,” he said.

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Rt Rev. Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, said the standing committee of the General Assembly Council would study the President’s directives carefully and give specific guidelines on how to safely open churches for worship.

“Let us all take quick steps to fumigate our church buildings and their surroundings before we open them for worship on Sunday,” he said.

The Moderator also said as members regrouped in churches, they must be cautious of the reality that the country, and for that matter the world, was not in normal times.

Chief Imam

The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, welcomed the development and said it was significant to the Islamic community.

Speaking through his Personal Assistant, Alhaji Khuzaima Mohammed Osman, Sheikh Sharubutu said the necessary steps would be taken to ensure that Muslims adhered to the conditions attached to the easing of the restrictions.

He, however, said the aspect of the guidelines on religious worship that required churches and mosques to keep a register of congregants would be a tall order for religious bodies to follow.

“Our mosques are such that we do not have permanent members. Anybody can walk into any mosque at any place and pray, so it is going to be impossible for us to keep a register of people who will patronise the mosques,” he said.

Bolgatanga

Vincent Amenuveve reports from Bolgatanga that the Executive Director of the Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mr Bismark Adongo Ayorogo, said the easing of the restrictions was a sign of hopelessness and helplessness in the fight against the COVID-19.

For her part, a food vendor, Mrs Florence Nani, welcomed the partial easing of restrictions.

She, however, urged the government to form monitoring teams to properly enforce the new directives.

Tamale

From Tamale, Samuel Duodu reports that Mr Ronald Yeboah, a teacher, said: "As for the reopening of churches and mosques, it will be business as usual because nobody will be there to count the number of persons or enforce the restrictions.”

Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, a media practitioner, said it would be very difficult for the law enforcement agencies to control congregants at places of worship, as prescribed by the President.

Pastor George Dassah of the Tamale East Church of Christ also opined that the partial lifting of the restrictions was for the good of all and, therefore, urged worshippers to strictly adhere to the precautionary measures that would be put in place.

Sunyani

Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah and Biiya Mukusah Ali report from Sunyani that Mrs Milicent Ofosu, a resident, said she was uncomfortable with the reopening of the places of worship, saying the move could defeat the country's efforts to fight the COVID-19.

A Muslim at Sunyani Zongo, Abdulai Fatawu, called on both Christians and Muslims not to abuse the privileges offered them but adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols.

Sekondi/Takoradi

From Sekondi/Takoradi, Dotsey Koblah Aklorbortu reports that the Western Regional Chief Imam, Dr Sheikh Ostaz Ali Hassan Ali, said he welcomed the gradual process to ease the restrictions.

The Muslim community, he said, was happy, but added that “the challenge will be who should be allowed to enter the mosque first and who should be asked not to”.

Koforidua

Rev. Seth Ameyaw Danquah, an evangelist, welcomed the directive, but said it is not 100 per cent safe for now, writes George Folley.

The Koforidua Diocesan Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Rt Rev. Dr Emmanuel Asare-Kusi, described as refreshing the limited easing of restrictions on religious activities.

An Islamic scholar, Ustaz Sumaila Yusif, said he was happy to be going back to the mosque.