Kobby Okyere Darko-Mensah during the exercise
The Western Regional Minister, Kobby Otchere Darko-Mensah, says it will be dire for the country to become complacent in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The high number of Covid-19 patient recoveries across the country should not make us lose our guard or be complacent, but rather it should drive us collectively to win the war against this infectious virus,” he cautioned.
Mr. Darko-Mensah gave the caution when he supervised the phase two of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development public spaces disinfection and cleaning exercise at the Shama District Assembly in the Western Region opened by the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Shama, Joseph Amoah.
The exercise, which covered all public spaces including markets, lorry parks and other public buildings in the region, was carried out by Zoomlion Ghana Limited (ZGL).
According to the minister, the time has come for the public to realize that Covid-19 is real and must help by following the preventive measures directed by the President and the health professionals, saying “if we follow the protocols outlined by our health experts, the war against Covid-19 will eventually be won.”
For his part, the DCE said, “In the Western Region, we have recorded 3,223 Covid-19 cases out of which six have sadly succumbed to the disease, with 2,544 persons being discharged, leaving active cases at 83.”
“For the Shama District, we have 83 positive Covid-19 cases, 75 recoveries and five active cases. The 23 students who contracted the virus within the district have all recovered,” he added.
Mr. Amoah commended the district health directorate, NADMO, Covid-19 Emergency Taskforce and security services for their efforts in the fight against the disease by the district. Besides, he lauded ZGL for its service to the nation.
He said in the second phase, 33 markets, 49 public toilets and all the lorry stations and public health facilities are being disinfected and urged the public to have confidence in the government to lead the fight against the pandemic.
The Metro Coordinating Director, Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), John Nana Owu, said at Kojokrom Lorry Station in the Essikado sub-metro that they were doing everything possible to ensure the safety of people.
“As Covid-19 restrictions have been eased, I want to use this opportunity to reiterate the need for citizens in this metropolitan to be disciplined in their activities and comply with all the Covid-19 preventive protocols,” he counselled.
He said 35 markets, together with public toilets and lorry parks, were expected to benefit from the exercise.
Places disinfected and fumigated included Kojokrom Market and Lorry Station, Essikado Ketan Market and Lorry Station, Shama Health Centre, Shama Abor Public Toilet, Shama Junction Market and Taxi Station, among others.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Shama