News
Ghana’s journeying through COVID-19.
Coronavirus started in some parts of China in a town called Wuhan who are into farm animal marketing.
The virus was first identified in early December 2019. Coronavirus is a large group of viruses that are common among animals and it is formed in a genetic material which has enveloped protein spires around it.
In the haste of events, countries such as Spain, USA and Italy, immediately evacuated their citizens from China, an action which later accounted for to the wide spread of the virus in such countries.
Moreover, when these foreign countries hurriedly went for their citizens in China, they did not put any precautionary measures in place to check if those citizens had contracted the virus or not which led to escalation of the virus spread.
But in Ghana, the President together with the Chief of Staff placed a temporarily ban on all government officials travelling outside the country.
Some few days later Ghana recorded its first case on March 12, 2019.
Surprisingly, the day after the President had announced the closure of the country’s borders, many travellers entered Ghana and since the authorities could not send them back to wherever they came from, they rather placed them under quarantine to reduce the spread of the virus.
The government therefore established isolation centres to quarantine these travellers. They were not just left at the isolation centres but were given good health care. With regards to those who came before the closure, the authorities placed an extensive measure to trace people who came into contact with persons who had tested positive.
Looking at the media’s role in this pandemic, there is an increase in surveillance on how Ghanaians would adhere to protocols from authorities.
Although some media houses are not providing the breakdown of the active cases, recovery cases and death cases to Ghanaians to know how measures are helping the country, media houses, traditional rulers and politicians are educating Ghanaians on the implications that will come if protocols from authorities are not adhered to.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) called upon the government to declare a nationwide lockdown to reduce community spread which some Ghanaians did not seem to appreciate because, poor people needed to work in order to provide shelter for themselves and family members as well.
The GMA was able to back their demand based on science, which made the President to declare the partial lockdown in certain parts of Ghana (Greater Accra, Kasoa, and Greater Kumasi).
In Ghana’s handling of the COVID-19, the President called on the nation to fast and seek divine intervention concerning the virus for the country.
Various opinion leaders also gave their views on how the pandemic could be contained. It is worthy of note that, during the partial lockdown several organisations and individuals came together to provide shelter for the vulnerable people in our society to curb the spread.
When we look at some of the policies of the government during this era, there is provisions of free usage of water, and of 50 per cent reduction in cost of electricity as well as increasing the salaries of health workers to help Ghanaians.
Government later issued a policy that all Ghanaians should wear nose masks to help curb the spread of the virus. It is now an offence not to wear nose mask. However, some Ghanaians don’t seem to appreciate this because it is new and would take some time to adjust.
In conclusion, even though some citizens are politicising the pandemic and do not appreciate what is being done by the government, the more we are able to detect the inffected persons the more we are able to handle the virus in the country.
Helena Decker Arthur
Level 300 Student,
Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ).
News
University of Ghana opens maiden ‘Artify’ visual arts exhibition
The University of Ghana, in partnership with Nubuke Foundation and KGL Foundation, has launched a week-long visual arts exhibition titled ‘Artify’ on the University’s campus.
Running from November 26 to December 2, the event showcases drawings and paintings by eight visual artists selected by the University.
The artists participated in a two-week skills and business orientation training before the exhibition, where they were coached on art practice fundamentals, copyright and intellectual property, entrepreneurship, and business management.
The training was to help the artists upscale their craft and expand their client reach, equipping them to become more business-oriented art professionals.
The Artify project, under the theme Amplifying Art as a Business, was conceived by the University of Ghana’s Office of Research, Innovation, and Development (ORID).
Professor Felix Ankomah Asante, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development, University of Ghana, said they aimed to equip them with the necessary tools and skills to thrive as artists and entrepreneurs.
“This initiative nurtures talent and fosters entrepreneurial spirit among young aspiring artists. Together, we cultivate creativity and transform passion into sustainable careers,” he said.
Prof. Asante said that the skills required to run an art business were often overlooked, as art was commonly perceived as a hobby that doesn’t necessitate specialised management skills.
He argued that by integrating business and project management skills into the art ecosystem in Ghana, more organisations and investors could be encouraged to support creatives.
Madam Odile Tevie, Director of Nubuke Foundation, called on authorities to create more platforms, similar to the Artify exhibition, where artists could showcase their work.
She advocated the establishment of visual arts spaces in communities, where local talents could receive training and be nurtured in their craft.
Mr Sedem Atsu Avornyo, one of the participating artists, praised the University and its partners for the initiative.
He noted that his knowledge and skills had been greatly enriched, better preparing him for the job market. –GNA
News
Don’t harass, visitors on period of election …Comptroller-General cautions Immigration staff
The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mr Kwame Asuah Takyi, (Esq.), has asked personnel of the service, especially those at the various borders of the country, not to harass people who travel in and outside of the country during the election period.
The advice is to stem reports that usually characterise immigration operations in border communities in such crucial moments.
He gave the advice at the 2024 Comptroller-General’s end-of-year games held at the McDan La Town Park on Friday.
It was under the theme “Kick for unity, sports for peaceful elections.”
According to Mr Assuah Takyi, It was important for personnel of the staff to behave professionally and live by the high standards required to ensure peace and tranquility at the border towns where elections would be ongoing.
“I want to remind you of the roles and responsibilities expected from you. Don’t take advantage of the upcoming general elections to harass visitors and passengers going in and out of the country.
“Perform your duties professionally as immigration officers and, where necessary, assist other security agencies to maintain peace, law, and order before, during, and after the elections.”
“Be apolitical because your services are to Ghana first and only, and not to any individual or political party. As officers in uniform, don’t put up behaviours that would question your professionalism.”
“This is not a call on immigration staff alone. All the security agencies are poised to display high standards of professionalism to ensure that Ghanaians vote in a peaceful atmosphere,” Mr Takyi said.
Flanked by three-time African best player and former captain of the Black Stars Abedi Ayew Pele, who was the special guest of honour, the Comptroller-General stated that as officers and men in uniform, their duty to the country was to maintain peace, law, and order and not to be involved in dubious or political activities.
“If any of you want to do politics, resign and hand over your uniform to the service and go. This information should go out there to our officers across the country.”
Mr Assuah Takyi urged members of the general public to behave responsibly to make the work of the security officers simple and peaceful while cautioning potential troublemakers to have a change of mind because that would not be tolerated.
“The National Elections Security Taskforce (NESTF) met the political parties on Thursday to reaffirm our commitment to professionalism, impartiality, and adherence to the rule of law.”
“Our actions will be impartial and guided by the law, and anyone who decides to violate the laid-down laws will be made to face the law.”
Mr Asuah Takyi urged all to operate within the confines of the law to ensure a successful and trouble-free election.
By Raymond Ackumey
