The Chief Executive Officer of Omni Media Limited, mother company of Accra-based Citi FM, Samuel Atta Mensah has labeled persons mounting pressure on the government to give churches the green light to operate despite the surge in Coronavirus cases in the country as ‘jokers’.
Government, as part of stringent measures to fight the pandemic, announced a ban on public gatherings, including schools, conferences, workshops, funerals, parties, night clubs, drinking spots, beaches, festivals, political rallies, religious activities and sporting events. The ban has been extended till end of month as the country continues to record more cases.
Since the announcement of the extension, some religious leaders have been calling on the government to ease the restrictions and allow church services to be held. Some have argued that the development is stifling the spiritual growth of believers while some posit prayer can extricate the country from the quagmire.
But Sammens, as the media guru is affectionately called asserts that the call is misplaced.
“Our real headache should be about how to get our schools started. Big deal! The churches demanding that they be opened are jokers. Open churches?? Adongerrit,” his tweet on Wednesday read.
Our real headache should be about how to get our schools started. Big deal! The churches demanding that they be opened are jokers. Open churches?? Adongerrit.
— Sam Attah-Mensah (@Sammens) May 20, 2020
Meanwhile, Ghana’s COVID-19 case count has risen to 6,096, following the confirmation of 178 new cases. 19 more persons have recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 1,773. The death toll remains 31.
The Greater Accra region is the epicentre, followed by Ashanti, Central and Western regions.
Below is the breakdown:
Greater Accra Region – 4,536
Ashanti Region – 888
Central Region – 256
Western Region – 111
Eastern Region – 100
Western North Region – 57
Volta Region – 41
Northern Region – 31
Oti Region – 26
Upper East Region – 26
Savannah Region – 0
Ahafo Region – 0
Bono East Region – 0