Freddie Blay
New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman, Freddie Blay, has asked the leadership of the party in the various regions and districts to take the COVID-19 directives given by President Akufo-Addo last Sunday, seriously.
He said in a statement yesterday that the national executives of the party have entreated “organisers of party events to make provisions for thermometer guns, veronica buckets and hand sanitisers at all times during party programmes”.
The statement said the party has taken the decision because of the COVID-19 resurgence which the President talked about.
“The New Patriotic Party (NPP) commends the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and government on their commitment to fighting the novel coronavirus pandemic, result of which is shown in the Ghanaian success story which has been recognised around the world as Ghana placed third in the list of successful countries in the fight against COVID-19,” the statement said.
“In view of the gradual rise in the number of new cases, from an average of 25 new cases per day then, to an average of 130 cases per day in the course of the last two weeks, we have observed that the President has reaffirmed the steps that have served us well so far.The President has therefore directed political parties and other groups to ensure that their members adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols, including the wearing of face mask, using sanitisers, practicing social distancing and washing of hands.”
The statement said, “In view of this, the New Patriotic Party wishes to call on the rank and file of the party to strictly adhere to all the COVID-19 safety protocols in the conduct of all party and campaign related activities.”
It said, “Leadership of the party at the various levels must also ensure strict adherence to the social distancing protocols and must make the wearing of facemasks mandatory for all members and at all times during party gatherings.”
The Chairman thanked the leadership of the party at the various levels “for mobilising the grassroots and selling the good works of President Akufo-Addo and our great party,” and said “as a party, we pledge our continuous support to government in its effort at fighting this pandemic and building our nation, adding “always remember, ‘The Mask Is A Must’.”
Below is the full statement from the NPP
By Melvin Tarlue