Ghana, just like many countries announced a move to place a partial lockdown on the epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic. A move which became necessary as a result of several individuals, groups and national advocacies aimed at ensuring the prevention of spreading the novel Coronavirus into other parts of the country.
Subsequently, on the 27th of March, 2020 the President of the republic addressed the nation spelling out the necessary information in tandem with the lockdown. A development that brought about mixed feelings among the general citizenry. A situation which also shook the spine of many to be very conscious of the realities that may struck them as a result of the lockdown as far as economic and means of livelihood is concerned. This consciousness brought about what is referred to as "Panic Purchasing or Buying".
People within these areas occasioned to be lockdown such as the whole of Greater Accra, Kumasi, Obuasi and Tema to run helter skelter within their respective markets and shopping centres to purchase goods and services that may sustain then throughout the period of lockdown. Items ranging from food items, kitchen accessories, electricity prepaid credits, water etc. The numbers were so scary that people could spend close to 30mins at a spot in their attempt to manuevre through the markets. Markets like the Mallam Atta, Agbogbloshie, Nima, Kosoa, Kaneshie, Circle, Lapaz markets etc were seen highly overcrowded. That overcrowding alone could be an avenue where people may contract the COVID-19 that we're trying to avoid its spread. There were certainly no safety means of ensuring social distancing, handwashing or even sanitizing their hands. The bigger challenge is how one would be able to determine who has the virus? Absolutely no one will can. Many critics have argued that this situation is as a result of failure on the side of government for not giving ample time for people to take time to get the necessary things they may need for the restriction period.
In many countries where there's lockdowns, government try as much as possible to absorb parts of the bills citizens may incur throughout the period by providing social amenities and some basic needs. Electricity, Water, Food and Rents bills are some of the essential things government could have taken care of if not all. However, our government did not give cognizance to the fact that there are a nirvana of people out there who's means of survival is dependent on their daily hustling and struggles (Hand-To-Mouth). Government of Ghana told Ghanaians it has built a 2,000 capacity hostel accommodation for our dear head potters (Kayayes) in Kumasi. A news that was welcomed by all and sundry with the hope that our sisters sleeping in the open places of the markets at the mercies of the weather may have a comfortable place to lay their heads, especially in crises like this. When this lockdown was announced, many of us were expecting that government would have used the opportunity to relocate these head potters to such facilities so they may have some comfort. Little did we know it was just one of their audio projects which have received media attention but does not exist.
Another issue that keep Ghanaians wondering why government faield to extend the lockdown to other regions since inhabitants of those regions may decide to run away from the restrricted regions.
As a result, many of these ladies decided to return home, mostly the northern parts of the nation. Knowingly that, they can not afford to survive under this restriction since they may not get access to food, water and accommodation. Three trucks of packed head potters who were caught in Ejisu, Ashanti Region traveling to to the north we're returned to Accra without quarantining to test them for the COVID-19. Who can tell which of these ladies carries the virus?
Far from that, military and police personnel were deployed to enforce the lockdown. One cannot fathom what kind of orientation that were given to these men in uniform. I wrote in my earlier article admonishing these officers not to carry the laws of the land on their shoulders to display abuse of power and strength. However, it seems the narrative is exact opposite of what Ghanaians expected these men to behave. Instead of learning from the best practices of other nations where citizens found violating the restriction can be punished by a fine. But in our jurisdiction, videos going viral have indicated how citizens who were found outside were seriously molested and brutalized leaving people several degrees of injuries.
Some homeless citizens were openly assaulted for being seen outside during the restriction period. What plans did government of Ghana put otn place to ensure the safety of these homeless people for the men in uniform to visit them with all sort of harm when they're seen outside. We seem to be in a country where our leaders do not care about the welfare of the people but they rather think of how to manipulate and win next election.
On this score, I'd want to call on the government of Ghana, the Ghana Police Service and the necessary security quarters to as a matter of urgency call their men to order. Explain to them that a lockdown or restriction is not the same as a curfew where people cannot go about getting important services they need. This insensitivity on the side of these men is very inhumane and against the rule of law which we've spent years protecting as a nation.
The past three and half years have not been easy for us as Ghanaians. We've been visited by all sort of challenges. From close down of key banks and saving and loans to collapse of businesses, to extremely high cost of living. Instead of government to prioritizing human lives, they rather do it for elections. Crazy huh? Otherwise, government after securing a US$100m loan from he IMF & WHO, it would not wickedly think of dipping its hands into the Heritage Fund which is meant for the next generation all in a disillusional name of fighting COVID-19; a situation far from the reality.
We are suffering but the people in government are chilling. We're suffering because we decided to queue in the heated sun to vote for them. This is the time we expect government to use its Planting for Food to feed many households who can't afford but this is one of their many non-existing policies.
This is all our offenses. As if it's not enough, they're still victimizing the victims (Citizens).
It is therefore our collective responsibility as citizens to workout out for our salvation. God can intervene for us but we need to set the ball rolling so the Lord will finish the work.
We shall overcome this, together!!!!
