News:
March 26, 2020
In the wake of the scourging effect of the coronavirus in the West African sub-region, Speaker of the Community Parliament, Rt. Honorable Sidie Mohamed Tunis has urged citizens to avoid any form of panic and face the situation boldly by adhering strictly to medical advice.
According to him, travel restrictions should be obeyed if there is no need to, as well as observing social distance and large gatherings with constant washing of hands with soap under running water, and use of hand sanitizer.
“Avoid fake news especially unscientific theories to the effect that COVID 19 does not affect Africans as tropical climate conditions have significant impact against it; they do not have scientific backing and should be immediately discarded”.
He further urged sub-region citizens to avoid self medication as the first port of call should be the hospital with experience of symptoms as there is no proof traditional medication can cure the disease, also no proof of overdose of chloroquine as a cure.
“Avoid complacency, especially comparing our ebola experience in 2014 to the current situation, while we are dealing with the virus, as in the case of Ebola, the characteristics of the present virus differs significantly from ebola”.
The speaker commended the sub-regional Governments for their proactive efforts by acting fast in putting in place measures that would help limit the spread of the virus, including travel restrictions imposed by countries hard hit by the disease, creation of isolation centers, and added that it shows how Governments want to address the scourge head-on.
He further underscored the need for Governments to make adequate provisions for the dedicated doctors, nurses and other medical personnel who put their lives on the line to respond to emergencies, urging them to make available the needed basic supplies especially hand gloves, facemask and protective jackets.
He has directed that all political activities of the ECOWAS Parliament be put on hold, including the Ad Hoc Committee on elections of Members by direct universal suffrage as they would continue to monitor the current situation as it unfolds to determine the appropriateness of holding the first Ordinary Session this year initially scheduled for the month of May.
The Speaker urged all to be steadfast and look forward as well as taking personal health as a primary concern as West Africans sharing common destiny. “We should remain optimistic that together we shall overcome this scourge and come out of it even stronger”.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Speaker Sidie Mohamed Tunis on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com