We Need A Covid-19 National Plan From Govt , Mahama Tells Akufo-Addo

Former President John Dramanai Mahama has responded to a call to national prayer and fasting by President Akufo-Addo in response to the deadly corona virus pandemic, saying a national plan is as well needed.

After a three-day fasting and prayer by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) which the former President is leading into the 2020 election, Mr. Mahama pointed out the lack of a coherent national plan against the virus.

“Our leaders owe this nation not just prayers but a plan, too”.

according to him, the plan should be “One that all of us can believe in, that we can rally around, and that we can commit our hearts and mind to. For while hope brings comfort, it is not, in itself, a strategy. We must project the course of this disease while taking a cue from best- and worst-case response scenarios such as Korea and Italy even as the world accelerates research toward the production of a vaccine.

“A plan that involves ensuring that frontline health care workers as a matter of urgency have the manuals, appropriate training and protective logistics to boost their confidence in fighting this disease. We must act even as we pray! I have made a firm commitment to support the authorities in whatever way possible, and whenever called upon, to combat this pandemic”.

Ghana’s Covid-19 count has been constitently rising with the latest tally hitting 21 with one death.

The lack of a national response has been concern to many, including the Minority in Parliament which has demanded that a comprehensive response be informed by the epidermiology of the corona virus.

Apparently, the lack of a national plan stems from the fact that the Akufo-Addo Government had attempted to deploy a charade to create the impression that it was on top of the pandemic when it did not.

Following the outbreak of the pandemic, the President had announced a US$100Million package to fund a national response. However, as it has since turned out, the money does not exist as the President had claimed.

Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta who the President claimed he had instructed to release the money has told Parliament that the Ministry is now trying to source the money.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has called for national prayer and fasting against the virus on Wednesday.

“I urge all of us, also, to seek the face of the Almighty. So, on Wednesday, 25th March, 2020, I appeal to all Ghanaians, Christians and Muslims, to observe a national day of fasting and prayer”, the President said in his address to the nation on Saturday, adding: “Let us pray to God to protect our nation and save us from this pandemic”.

“I thank the men and women of God who prayed for the nation with me on Thursday, and with the Vice-President on Friday, for their intervention”, the President said when he addressed the nation for the third time in connection with the virus on Saturday.