Dr Titus Beyuo
The expression of worry by the Ghana Medical Association’s (GMA) General Secretary, Dr. Titus Beyuo, over President Akufo-Addo’s relaxation of the COVID-19 protocols is foreboding.
We are befuddled over whether or not the General Secretary’s expression represents the GMA’s or a mere loner’s voice which can be ignored under the circumstances.
If the view expressed by the GMA’s top personality during an engagement with a media house is shared by his colleagues within the fold of the Hippocratic fraternity, it presupposes that the protocol relaxation was neither hinged upon science nor having the backing of the GMA.
Having followed the advice of the GMA and for that matter science, before taking every decision, government, since the outbreak of the pandemic, has succeeded in keeping COVID-19 at bay and won deserving plaudits from the populace and the international community.
When however, decisions show signs of having been taken, unilaterally and without consulting the GMA and our scientists, we have cause to feel uneasy.
The GMA should manage the issue at stake formally as the lone voice expressing an opinion on radio is wish-wash and therefore lacks the weight to trigger a national conversation.
Issues bordering on health, more so a pandemic of the magnitude of COVID-19, require a more robust approach than we are witnessing through their member’s voice. The GMA could have done better because the subject at stake is critical. We cannot countenance a resurgence of COVID-19 through a decision which is not based on science and bereft of the input of our respectable doctors.
We expect therefore the GMA to either distance the umbrella from the expression of worry of their General Secretary or issue a statement about not feeling comfortable with the relaxation of the COVID-19 protocols.
If government’s decision was without the GMA’s acquiescence, then we feel disappointed.
Under the circumstances therefore, it behooves on both parties to allay our fears considering the quantum of sacrifice and work executed to get us to the level of success recorded so far.
It would be worthwhile determining the quality of arrangements rolled out to determine the status of persons coming into the country.
We do not doubt the President’s reference to the great work done by himself and his team, of course, the doctors. We, however, stand to blow the triumph when hasty decisions are taken when these are not based on science.
Our fears are even heightened by the fact that many are they who are yet to avail themselves of the now available COVID-19 vaccines.
We appreciate the fact that government must ensure a speedy post COVID-19 recovery through such measures; we nonetheless deserve calming and unambiguous information not the kind expressed by the GMA General Secretary.