Railways Development Minister, Joe Ghartey, on Saturday, April 20, 2020 committed his support for the fight against the covid19 in three assemblies in the Eastern Region.

The minister accompanied by Mr Eric Kwakye Daffour, the Eastern Regional Minister, his deputy, Samuel Nuertey Ayertey and Mr Kwaku Agyenim Boateng, a Deputy Minister of Railways Development, donated cash and material support to the Asuogyaman, Manya Krobo and Yilo Krobo Municipal Assemblies, the Health Directorates of the three Districts as well as to the chiefs and people of Akwamu, Manya Krobo and Yilo Krobo Traditional Areas, following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in the Eastern Region.

Mr Ghartey, while donating the relief items including veronica buckets, washing bowls, gallons of sanitizers, gallons of liquid soap, detergents, bags of rice and gallons of cooking oil to the three district assemblies, three paramountcies and three health directorates, was optimistic that victory over the coronavirus pandemic was imminent.

The two ministers, called on Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, Omanhene of Akwamu Traditional Area and Nene Sakite II, the Konor of Manya Krobo Traditional Area at Akwamufie and Odumase Krobo respectively as well as chiefs from the Yilo Krobo Traditional Area at the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly in Somanya.
The three Assembly Chiefs including Samuel Kwame Agyekum, DCE for Asuogyaman; Simon Kweku Tetteh, MCE, Lower Manya Krobo Municipality and Ebenezer Tetteh Kupualor, MCE, Yilo Krobo Municipality received the relief items on behalf of the assemblies and were highly appreciative of the gesture shown by Mr. Joe Ghartey.

Members’ of Parliament together with aspiring MPs for the three constituencies all joined in the event to offer their support.

The visits aside the Ministers’ efforts at supporting the respective bodies to combat the epidemic also gave him the first hand opportunity to assess the impact of the pandemic on the socio-economic lives of the people following the first case of the disease in the region reported on March 31.
Currently, total number of confirmed cases in the region stands at 51.

An Indian expatriate working on the Tema-Mpakadan railway line tested positive in the Camp ‘B’ of the construction firm undertaking the project, Afcons Infrastructure Limited cited at Kpong in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality, to record the Eastern Region’s first case of the virus.

As part of concerted efforts to win the fight, Mr. Ghartey called for the support of traditional leaders to back efforts towards educating the public on the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for them to follow the safety protocols including handwashing with soap under running water, observing social distancing, the use of alcohol based hand sanitisers, staying home, etc. to contain the disease.

Though suspension of work on the railway line is expected to affect the completion schedule, Mr Ghartey however said this is not expected to impact on the cost of the project.

To this end, the planned deadline for the completion of the project in August, 2020 would not be achieved.

Mr Kwakye who spoke extensively on the need to avoid stigmatizing infected and suspected persons said the phenomenon could be a big hindrance to the battle against the pandemic as infected people could refuse seeking medical treatment for fear of stigmatization.

Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, Omanhene of Akwamu Traditional Area said his traditional council was not resting on its oars at getting the situation under control with the formation of the Akwamuman covid19 team and the formation of a covid19 fund to raise funds to support the efforts.

The chief who expressed disquiet at the ten cases of the virus reported in the district urged the public to adhere to all safety protocols being advocated by the health authorities.

He dismissed calls for a lockdown of the Eastern Region but called for enhanced testing and contact tracing in the district to ensure that adequate follow up was made on persons who may have come into contact with the infected persons.

To him, adequately resourcing the traditional authorities was an appropriate step to widening efforts aimed at battling the virus.

The Akwamuhene also urged Government to help equip the District Health Directorate with the necessary logistics such as PPE, to adequately put them in a position to tackle cases of COVID-19.

Similarly, Nene Sakite II praised the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his unrelenting commitment and efforts aimed at winning the fight.

Aside the items, Mr Ghartey also donated an amount of GH¢10,000.00 and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Manya Krobo Municipal Health Director, Mr. Bismark Sarkodie on behalf of the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Health Directorate, as his contribution to contain the pandemic in the area.

Mr Bismark Sarkodie was grateful to the Railway Minister for his support as it had come when needed most. The donation, he said will motivate his team to put out their best.