God has been good to Ghanaians but the latter have been reckless in their approach to the COVID-19 pandemic and the related protocols as announced by the President.
We might not have experienced the high mortality rates others have; our health management system so far able to cope with the situation. But records are beginning to point at an unfolding grim situation after an initial declining rate of active cases and impressive recoveries which made us a toast of the observing world.
Our persistent prayers and initial adherence to the hygiene protocols contributed to where we reached in respect of our scorecard.
In the past fortnight, regrettably however, the statistics have commenced an upward spiral. The unfolding development is threatening to undo all the laudable achievements earned through months of sacrifice and hard work by both our health workers and others.
We cannot imagine witnessing a persistent climb in the number of infections. We are definitely not primed to deal with an overwhelmed infection rate considering our current health management status and what is happening elsewhere.
It is not too late to reverse the climb when we resolve to do so wholeheartedly and from a position of science. We should show maximum discipline in our management of the situation.
The recent Ghana Health Service survey of the adherence to the hygiene protocols is nothing to smile about considering where we were earlier; the posted single figure not worthy of commendation.
President Akufo-Addo in his latest briefing on the state of the management of the pandemic, pleaded with his compatriots not to continue to lose their guard on the virus.
The other hemisphere is experiencing a worrying surge and although the mortality rate is relatively low; nowhere near the initial record. This nonetheless is an early warning to us to be on our guard.
We have observed the human rights approach to the management of the pandemic and wish to state that when the health of the people is threatened by a pandemic, some rights must be curtailed.
A radical approach to the enforcement of the hygiene protocol is desirable.
Most of us won’t do the appropriate thing unless we are forced to.
The security agents must be directed to enforce the directives, otherwise most people won’t comply.
In a situation where many still do not believe a pandemic is raging worldwide, only compulsion can register the desired attitudinal change.
A commercial driver would only tell his passengers to wear their face masks only when he is approaching a barrier where the covering is being inspected by security agents.
The implication is that people wear the masks to avoid the inconvenience of being queried by the police or even arrested and prosecuted.
Alongside the enforcement regime, there must be heightened education by the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), churches, mosques and our traditional authorities.
While we pray God continue to have mercy upon us, as the pandemic continues on its rampaging mode, let us all adhere to the hygiene protocols because we did it earlier and it worked.