Simon Osei-Mensah
THE ASHANTI Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, has made the wearing of face masks compulsory for all residents of Kumasi with effect from yesterday as part of measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the country.
He warned that recalcitrant residents would face the law should they flout the directive from the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC).
Speaking on Kumasi-based Hello FM over the weekend, the minister said special attention would be given to food vendors, since they could be a source of possible contact of Covid-19, adding that any person that visits the metropolis is also obliged to wear face mask or risk arrest.
Mr. Osei-Mensah expressed concern that many of the city’s dwellers were not complying with the presidential directive to wear face masks.
The wearing of face masks and social distancing have been highly recommended by the government after lifting the lockdown placed on Greater Kumasi, Accra, Tema and Kasoa, and many assemblies have since made it mandatory for residents.
“It is up to us as government officials to ensure that the right measures are implemented to save human lives from this dangerous virus in Kumasi,” the minister noted.
He said they would work to reduce people’s risk of contracting the virus even if they fail to comply with measures put in place to stem the tide.
“Wear a face mask when you go out, or else the security agents would deal with you,” Mr. Osei-Mensah admonished and called on public institutions to make mask wearing compulsory.
“I will not sit aloof as regional minister for people to disregard the health protocols and die before I come out to give flimsy excuses,” he pointed out.
The minister appealed to commercial drivers not to allow passengers without face masks to board their vehicles.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi