Politics of Monday, 30 March 2020

Source: Joshua Kobby Smith, Contributor

Dr. Mike Oquaye Jnr donates sanitizers, cash to polling station executives

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Ghana's High Commissioner to India, His Excellency Dr Mike Oquaye Jnr has donated hand sanitizers and an undisclosed amount of money to 1040 Polling Station Executives in the Dome Kwabenya Constituency in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to his team, the move forms part of measures at providing and ensuring the Polling Station Executives are protected from contracting the COVID-19 virus.

Addressing journalists, Spokesperson for His Excellency Dr. Mike Oquaye Jnr, Samuel Ofori said "this gesture from His Excellency is not only to help protect them against the virus."

He added that since the virus has gained grounds in the country spreading uncontrollably, the team deemed it fit to surprise and present the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the executives in the 18 zones.

He also stated that the distribution was scheduled for a mini gathering but due to President Akufo-Addo's directive on social distancing and gathering, the team took to itself in the exercise.

"Some zones have few Executives. We chose to visit them and hand over the sanitizers and cash" he noted.

Mr. Ofori, however, explained that the exercise which began at Abokobi ran through Dome, Ashongman, Taifa among others.

He hinted that the kind gesture was also part of measures to connect with the locals and get first-hand information on the challenges facing them.

The Spokesperson said "I have been in this for years. We started from GA North before Dome Kwabenya Constituency was born. Dr. Mike Oquaye Jnr has been with us through thick and thin. He at some points was pasting posters anytime we stepped out"

Mr. Ofori, however, challenged the current Member of Parliament (MP), Adwoa Safo to pinpoint a single achievement chalked under her reign adding that construction of roads is not the work of an MP but Government.

He appealed to the Polling Station Executives to adhere to the directives given by the President during the lockdown period.

"I am pleading to all to be at home. The officers have been deployed and they will not tolerate any disrespect" he noted.

Mr. Ofori was confident that the country at the end of the two weeks period will see signs of improvement in the recovery rate of the pandemic.

He said "This partial lockdown to me is not enough. I wish the President gave a Nationwide lockdown. This could have reduced the movement of people"

He called on the persons who have relocated due to the lockdown announcements to visit health centres and test for the virus adding that it will help track those infected.

Some beneficiaries also thanked the team and promised to abide by the rules and follow the guidelines given to avoid being beaten by the deployed Policemen and Military.