Be Transparent About MPs Covid-19 Situation – Mahama to Parliament

Former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama has urged Parliament to publicly communicate the “full picture” of the covid-19 situation of Members of Parliament (MPs).

Mahama asserted that, it has become necessary for the legislative body to be transparent about the issue,  even though authorities are trying to keep the citizenry hopeful about their efforts to combat the pandemic.

“Reports that the virus has spread to the Chamber and offices of Parliament is very disturbing. It adds to the urgency of the situation we face as a country, and while it is important to give hope to citizens it is absolutely necessary to be transparent and communicate the full picture of the extent of the disease” John Mahama said in a statement.

Mahama, also the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), chided the Akufo-Addo government for inefficiently managing public education on the outbreak.

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He said the government has created the false impression that the pandemic is under control.

“Government has unfortunately not managed public education on coronavirus efficiently, while the latest communication creates the false impression that all is well with the management and spread of the disease. The advice from the President and other government officials that we should begin to learn to live with the disease suggests that you and I must take our destiny into our own hands as far as COVID-19 is concerned

“This is coming at a time that public education on the disease has dwindled to the extent that observance of hygiene and distancing protocols, as I indicated earlier, appear to be waning”.

He also urged government to be cautious about opening schools.

“I must indicate here my support for the position of the various teacher unions and parents who have spoken and cautioned against the hasty reopening of schools. Government must pay close attention and take into consideration, the concerns of the various unions and parents.

“Finally, as I have always said, any decision taken by government to ease restrictions must be based on the utmost respect for human life and the science of the disease we are dealing with”.

He warned that “decisions based on false premises will have grave consequences for us all, Ghanaians”.