The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has said people who recover from the coronavirus disease need the love and support of the society and not neglect and stigmatization.

Mr Daniel Baya Laar, the Bawku Municipal Director of the Commission, said negative attitude such as name-calling, ridiculing, stereotyping and insinuations among others were major hindrances to the efforts against the spread of the pandemic and urged the people to live meaningful and dignified lives.

The Director called on the citizenry to desist from such abusive practices and give suspected, infected or recovered persons the necessary support to recuperate fully and feel at home in their communities.

The Director made the call when the NCCE intensified its educational drive to help fight the spread of the coronavirus in the Bawku Municipality in the Upper East Region.

The sensitization programme was done via public announcement at various communities in the Municipality.

The Municipal Director indicated that stigmatizing COVID-19 patients would not only prevent them from sharing their experience in the fight against the disease, but would scare people from seeking health care although they may not have the virus.

Mr Laar noted that the coronavirus was real and advised members of the public to adhere to the precautionary protocols prescribed by health experts and government to protect themselves and curb the spread of the pandemic.

He advised them to regularly wash their hands with soap under running water, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, nose masks and practice social distancing to ensure safety and public health.

While commending the Church of Pentecost for supporting the sensitization drive to demystify misconception and misinformation as well as adequately equip the people with needed knowledge, the Municipal Director called for collective efforts from all stakeholders to curb the spread of the virus.

“Some people living within the Bawku Township still have doubts about the existence of COVID-19 in Ghana. According to them, COVID-19 is a political gimmick and does not exist. Such people want to see people with the sickness before they can believe,” he said.

He said through effective collaboration with the Church of Pentecost, the NCCE was able to reach about 55 communities in the Municipality.