Ketu Youth To Gov’t – Give Us COVID Vaccination And Open Our Borders

A Youth group in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region, is demanding that government prioritises COVID-19 vaccinations in the area as infections are increasing among the people.

In a statement made available to Whatsup News, the Director of the Ketu Youth in Development Network Elolo White Kelie, said the vaccination would then prepare the grounds and pave way for the government to open the closed borders in the area so that stifled trans-border economic activities which is the most important source of livelihood of the people can commence.

“It has become urgent that we make this appeal to the government to prioritise its covid vaccination coverage on the people of Ketu South. This is because after several calls and demonstrations by the people, it is obvious the government of Ghana is not ready to cede to pressure but rather opt in following the health experts’ advice (Thus, about reaching a vaccination threshold before opening the borders),” the group stated.

“We all know that officially land borders are closed but practically people come into Ghana by so many routes through Aflao and thereby exposing the dwellers to the risk of covid infection.” 

 It added that, despite the alternative livelihood adjustments by the people, the closure of the border continues to make those who depend on cross-border activities for livelihood to suffer. 

The government has had the country’s borders closed as part of measures to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It has been explaining that health experts recommend that the country vaccinates more of its population, less than 20% of whom are vaccinated, before opening the borders. But as the borders remain closed, many who depend on cross-border businesses are marginalized.

“We believe it is imperative government put Ketu South in its plans now for covid vaccination. The covid figures in the municipality are on the rise with increased morbidity and mortality. When the covid vaccination campaign is done in the municipality, the vaccines will offer protection to the people and the issued vaccination cards can also serve as clearance for dwellers to cross the border and go about their economic activities alongside other covid precautionary measures,” the statement said.