The Community Water and Sanitation Agency, (CWSA) in the Central Tongu district has kick-start a hand washing campaign to help prevent the spread of the corona virus pandemic into the area.
The campaign is aimed at educating residents on proper hand washing techniques, a practice which has been identified as a key preventive protocol against the COVID-19 transmission among the populace.
Mrs. Shallom Abla Lumor, Community Relations Officer of the CWSA at Adidome, said the campaign was in line the agency’s mandate of providing safe drinking water and related sanitation services to Rural Communities and Small Towns in Ghana.
She told Volta Online that, her team has been visiting about 30 communities, engaging members on the need to make the practice of frequent hand washing with soap under running water, a regular feature in their Daily lives, in order to avoid contracting the COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
“We are educating our customers daily on how to make hand washing a habit, and this education is mostly done in the local languages to help community members understand the message better.”
Mrs. Lumor added that as part of the campaign, the agency has provided gallons and soaps to over 200 standpipe vendors in the district and also trained them on how to mount tippy taps using gallons to facilitate the hand washing at the vending points.
“We have mounted tippy taps at Stand Pipe fetching points, and we make sure customers wash their hands before fetching water from the pipes. We have also directed the vendors to ensure that customers strictly adhere to the social distancing rule at the stations.”
a demonstration of proper hand washing
She further noted that her outfit has engaged the media on the safety protocols against the COVID-19 and also placed jingles on Community Radio Stations and information Centres in the district, to keep reminding community members on COVID-19 Protocols.
On his part, the Adidome System Manager of CWSA, Mr. Emmanuel Akagbor disclosed that Community Water and Sanitation Agency is also implementing government’s directive on free water for all, and as consumers within the Central Tongu district were fetching water free of charge for the next three months.
“All consumers in the Central Tongu District both under the Adidome water system and 5 Districts water system are fetching water for free, and we are also making sure that water is always available for consumers to be able to use and also wash their hands regularly.”
On Tuesday, April 21, 2019 I had seen a post by one of Joy FM’s Senior Sports Journalist, Gary Al-Smith dominating most WhatsApp platforms on my phone and my timeline on Facebook. I initially brushed it off. However, the overwhelming outpour of comments on these platforms I belong to, made me read the post.
After first read, I became terrified. Then I took another read and realised there were some inaccurate information provided as fact; based on which he made his analysis, drew some conclusions and raised some concerns.
In as much as I disagree with his analysis, because it appeared he had inadequate information, I attribute his understanding of the issues with gaps in the information flow from government officials.
I also believe the viral nature of the message and how easily people took his analysis hook, line and sinker exposed how the average Ghanaian receives information, especially from influencers.
A good number of Ghanaians including the educated class take information wholesale; leaving no room for skepticism, further probing and verification, even when they might be aware of contrary facts.
This is a summary of his understanding of the facts available to him at the time.
That if Noguchi was doing 1000 tests per day and KCCR was doing 200 tests per day, how could the government claim to have tested over 68000 and also claim it was doing better than any African country as far as testing was concerned?
That if the over 68,000 tests done so far represented samples tested and not persons tested, the President was inaccurate to say, Ghana was doing more tests per a million of its population.
These two very important analysis reiterated his preconceived suspicion that “the lockdown lifted was not based on empirical data, but on economic considerations.”
Read Gary’s Full Post Below
Take note, I am not here to discredit Gary. For what it’s worth, he is one of the most progressive journalists I know in the country. He has since the outbreak of this COVID-19 pandemic in the country, being educating his thousands of followers on issues. It is his own way of supporting the agenda to contain COVID-19.
After reading his article I did what most of the people very close to me know I love doing; dispassionate analysis of his position.
Gary Al-Smith, (C) Facebook
On the capacity of the two main testing centres, I immediately had a flashback of a TV3 report I had watched on Monday, April 20, 2020. The report which was on their Facebook page was done by Portia Gabor on the testing Capacity of Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research. The report had stated that the facility was doing between 2000 and 4000 tests daily.
Watch The TV 3 News Report Below
In the case of the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) I had heard last week that they were now doing 800 tests per day. So a simple mathematics using an average of the two centers showed that the over 68000 tests so far, was very feasible. Since Noguchi gave a range, lets assume they are doing 2500 cases a day. Multiply that by 21 days and you will realize that they would have done over 50,000 while using 800 per day by KCCR will show they would have done over 16, 000.
The second part of Gary’s argument which was about duplication of the record of tests frightened me the most. However, I decided to look at the figures and break it down based on the categorization by the GHS. If you have been following the updates from government, you will know that the 99 who have recovered may have been tested thrice at the minimum; thus first positive tests and two successive negative tests.
Then there was the 1030 persons on mandatory quarantine after the borders were closed. They were tested at least twice within the 14 days quarantine period to isolate those who were positive. So 1030 multiplied by 2 and 99 multiplied by 3 will give a sum of something slightly above 3000. Let us even assume those who have been tested more than once amount to 5000 tests. Subtract 5000 from 68000 tests and you realised that those tested once, are still more than 60000. (I may be wrong)
Interestingly, I was not too wrong, as my layman’s view was somewhat confirmed by Dr. Benard Oko-Boye on Accra based Asempa FM when he clarified issues regarding his comments on Citi TV the previous day. Gary also clarified on the same show that his post was not intended to be malicious, but was based on how he understood the issues per the information he had at the time.
This elementary mathematics does not dispute the fact that Ghana is currently the only African country to have conducted more tests per a million of its population. Nonetheless, South Africa still leads Africa when it comes to cumulative tests.
The analysis however disputes Gary’s conclusion that the lifting of the lockdown was done based on economic considerations only; without any reliance on science and data.
At this point, my fear and worry based on Gary’s post was deflated. I then shared it with some of the WhatsApp groups where I had initially interrogated Gary’s post.
A good number of them also saw that the argument from my point of view was also worth considering and it also calmed them.
I was challenged on one of our professional WhatsApp platforms, to put out my analysis for others to also make their own judgment. I had initially declined, because I felt my analysis was based on my layman understanding which may also not be as reliable as Gary’s. However, King Nobert Akpablie (Formerly of Citi Fm) managed to persuade me to also make my voice heard.
As I have earlier indicated, the post is not to discredit Gary, but to establish that there are gaps in the information relayed from government to the masses.
If an influencer and early adopter like Gary; with all the opportunity to read and verify information could be inadequately informed, then there was a gap which requires bridging ASAP.
The Ministry of Information and the Ghana Health Service are losing the populace including influencers like Gary who could be playing a very important role of breaking down the complex health issues to thousands of people that the government may be losing.
Fred Duodu (C)Skef fotos
The viral nature of Gary’s post attests to his influence in the flow of information to the masses, but more critically, it also exposes the true nature of the average Ghanaian when it comes to information consumption. Thus, so far as it comes from an influencer, majority of Ghanaians refuse to make their own analysis and conclusions. They conveniently believe and spread.
If government is going to win the fight against COVID-19, it needs the support of all and sundry. However, without clear, unambiguous and comprehensive information to early adopters and influencers, it will lose the masses whose action and/or inaction can contain the spread or escalate it.
One more thing; Gary’s query about the real number of persons tested is still valid. I hope the authorities will provide adequate answers in this regard and ensure the slightest update on issues is clear and timely shared; to prevent the reliance on outdated and inadequate information like the figures used by Gary for his analysis on testing capacity.
On timely updates, I believe if the masses are clearly and consistency updated on the capacity of the two centres, influencers like Gary will make a much better analysis based on current information.
If the public must support the fight, then they must be let in on whatever there’s to know otherwise, they will assume government has a hidden agenda. We’re all stakeholders in this COVID-19 fight.
Source: Fred Duodu (k.duodu@yahoo.com)
NB: The writer is a Journalist. All views expressed in this article are personal and do not represent those of any organization(s).
A Member of Council of State, representing Volta/Oti regions, Mr. Francis Albert Nyonyo has extended support to some health facilities in the region as part of efforts to combat the Corona virus pandemic in the country.
Mr. Nyonyo through his charity organization, the Nyonyo Foundation on Tuesday donated sets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and other medical supplies worth GHC100,000 to the Ho Teaching Hospital and the Anloga District Health Directorate, in his home district.
The items which were presented on his behalf by the Member of Parliament for Anlo, Mr. Kofi Humado through the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa include, hand washing facilities with gallons of Alcohol based sanitizers and liquid soaps, Disposal N95 and Surgical Masks, Infrared Gun Thermometers, Video Laryngoscope, Contec Patient Monitor and Contec ECG Holter, all ISO certified.
Mr. Humado in a brief remark said the severe impact of the pandemic on the country’s healthcare system required the support of all stakeholders, which the Council of State Member was no exception.
“The Council of State Member believes that health personnel are our soldiers in the fight against COVID-19,” hence the donation was to equip them to adequately combat the pandemic.
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Letsa on his part said the donation was timely, as it would augment government’s supplies to the facilities to contain the situation. He however, entreated the public to strictly observe the necessary safety protocols to curb further spread of the disease.
A cross section of the items donated
Dr. Lord Mensah, Acting Chief Executive of the Ho Teaching Hospital, described the gesture as a morale booster, saying “PPEs are very essential in service delivery. So whenever when we receive such donations, they boost our morale to do our best for all patients.”
He thus expressed gratitude to the Council of State Member for reaching to them in this challenging era of COVID-19 and assured the items would be put to good use.
Similar Support to Oti Region
Meanwhile, Mr. Nyonyo has hinted of extending similar donations to health facilities in the Oti region. Speaking in later interview on ‘Egbenyawo’, a current affairs programme on Ho based Tosh 103.9 FM; the Council of Member said his office was making arrangements to reach out to the new region with medical supplies and PPEs in the coming days.
He also used the opportunity to entreat all and sundry to practice good personal and environmental hygiene in order to curb the spread of the pandemic.
So far, ten persons have tested positive to COVID-19 in the Volta region and are currently receiving treatment at designated isolation centres.
The flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has gone to the aid of the Keta Municipal Hospital, following an urgent appeal by management for Personal Protective Equipment to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the area.
The former President in a swift response to the SoS call, had 40 sets of PPEs donated to the facility on his behalf by a delegation led by former Chief of Staff, and chairman of the NDC’s COVID-19 Technical Team, Mr. Prosper Bani on Monday.
The items comprise, hand gloves, surgical and nose masks, gum boots, hand sanitizers, soaps, gowns, among others.
Professor Margaret Kweku, a member of the NDC Technical team and the parliamentary candidate for Hohoe, who spoke on behalf of the former president, thanked the frontline health workers for their hard work and sacrifice.
She said the former President was presenting PPE to health workers across the country and the Volta Region has not been left out. She reinforced the NDC flag bearer’s recommendation for the urgent need to build medical research centers and urged her colleague health workers to stick to the protocols for staying safe.
She also reminded the general public to adhere to the preventive measures against the spread of the pandemic and further encouraged local tailors to sew more face masks for distribution to all Ghanaians.
Mr. Prosper Bani on his part said the fact that the Coronavirus infections have crossed the One thousand mark means that citizens should take the President’s directives for the prevention of the disease seriously and be responsible.He therefore called on all to put away their partisan colours and support the government’s to fight against the deadly virus.
Medical Superintendent of the Keta Municipal Hospital Dr. Antoinette Akua Ekuban, who received the items, thanked the former President’s delegation and promised that they will go a long way to help protect health workers in the fight against the Coronavirus.
She also commended the Government of Ghana, Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Regional Health Directorate, Keta Municipal Assembly, the Member of Parliament for Keta and all donors for supporting the hospital to fight COVID 19.
Other members of the delegation include Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa MP for North Tongu, Mr. Henry Ametefee, NDC Regional Chairman and Mr. Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpe NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Keta.
A Tema based food processing company, Pioneer Food Cannery Limited has closed down temporarily following the confirmation of a Corona virus case at the company, Volta Online can report.
The company which produces canned tuna was part of the exempted categories of firms which were allowed to operate during the 3-week partial lock down of the Greater Accra Metropolitan area.
But management in a memo to staff members sighted by Volta Online, shutdown the factory last Saturday, April 18, 2020 for 4-days to enable full sterilization and cleansing of the facility as well the testing of persons who had contact with the infected staff.
The memo dated April 17, 2020 and signed by the Plant Director, Mr. Johnny Ladouce stated that, “As you may be aware, we have a confirmed case of COVID-19 at Pioneer Food Cannery (PFC) and have taken the decision, in agreement with the Centre for Disease Control Ghana to close the plant for four days starting tomorrow, Saturday 18th April 2020 and re-opening on Wednesday, 22nd April 2020.”
It however assured staff that “this is no cause for alarm and the closing of the factory is to allow us carry out a full sterilization and cleansing of the factory in order to ensure that there is absolutely no further risk to any of you.”
Regarding the affected worker, the memo said, “The person in question had come to work on Thursday 9th April 2020 and had passed all screening and checks before feeling ill during the day. They were then taken to the clinic and on to an isolation room before going home to self-isolate. They have not been working since that Thursday and are recovering well at home.”
The company, according to the memo has since activated the necessary protocols to manage the situation in collaboration with the relevant agencies, including the CDC, whose staff would be on site to test all potential contacts of the affected staff during the closure.
“We will also be carrying out further contact tracing as needed in addition to the full sterilization of the plant. There may be a need for some of you to self-quarantine and we will assist you in understanding the process should it be necessary,” it added.
While assuring the staff of the provision of the needed protective equipment, including nose masks upon resumption of work on Wednesday, the memo also entreated them to adhere to necessary safety and social distancing protocols against the spread of the virus.
“We wish to assure you once again, that you are our most valuable asset. It is of the utmost priority to us to keep you and your families safe and healthy and we are doing everything in our power to achieve this,” the management assured in the memo.
Meanwhile, some workers seem not to be satisfied with the assurances, as they are demanding a 14-day closure of the factory for all staff to undergo compulsory quarantine and testing to ascertain their full status before returning to work.
One of them told Volta Onlineon condition of anonymity that, “it will be risky for us to resume work just four days after the incident. We have all been exposed in one way or the other to the virus, because we use same bus to work and also use same changing room at the factory. The best thing is for management to shut down the factory for us all to undergo the 14-day quarantine.”
Volta Online will be following developments at the company and keep readers updated.
Lovemak Ventures, an indigenous trading company in the Volta region has reached out to the Sokode-Lokoe community in the Ho municipality with a number of hand washing facilities as part of its contribution towards the fight against the Corona virus pandemic in the area.
The items comprising, Veronica Buckets with stands and liquid soap, were presented to the community leaders by the company’s manager, Mr Mawuli Asigbey on Monday.
According to him, the gesture was part of the company’s corporate social initiatives to support government’s efforts in combating the deadly COVID-19 in the country.
He entreated residents to observe all the safety protocols against the spread of the pandemic such as frequent washing of hands with soap under running water, use alcohol based hand sanitizers as well the practicing of good personal and environmental hygiene.
He said similar donations would be extended to other communities in the coming weeks.
About Lovemak VenturesLovemak Ventures is a key distributor of consumable products in the Volta and Oti regions. and trading in home and personal care as well as food products from notable manufacturers such as Unilever Ghana, Fan Milk Ltd, Fareast Mercantile, Sunda International, among others.
Togbe Kodzo Doh, Chief of Sokode-Lokoe who received the items, thanked the management and staff of Lovemak Ventures for the gesture and pledged to put them to intended use.
Manager of Lovemak, (4th from R) with Lokoe Chief, (in Yellow shirt) & Assembly man ( in white top)
The Assembly Member for the area, Mr. Dickson Macbillions Bansah through whose instrumentality the support came, expressed gratitude to the company for responding swiftly to their request and said it would help to contain the spread of disease in the area.
He added that, facilities would be positioned at vantage locations within the community for the use of all.
Also present at the presentation ceremony were members of the Sokode-Lokoe development committee.
One person has tested positive to the Corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic in the Volta region, bringing the regional tally to 10 out of the current 1042 cases nationwide.
Volta Online understands the patient is a male resident of Ho, who had his sample confirmed last Saturday, April 17, 2020 after he was suspected of the disease at the Ho Teaching Hospital.
According to information gathered, the patient prior to testing positive was under self-quarantine at home but has since been moved to the treatment centre of the hospital.
He is however said not to be a known contact of any of the previous confirmed cases. Officials have since begun tracing of his contacts in earnest.
Meanwhile, 99 persons have so far recovered fully from the virus in the country with nine deaths recorded.
Highlights
The Region on Sunday, Sunday April 11, 2020 confirmed its first set of nine COVID-19 cases.
Six of them were travelers who illegally entered the country at Aflao in the Ketu South Municipality, where they arrested and put under mandatory quarantine for 14-day.
Two were confirmed at the Hohoe Government Hospital.
They include a 22-year old pregnant woman who travelled to Hohoe from Ashaiman to deliver with her mother, and a 32-year old man who also traveled to the area from Tema about 2 weeks ago.
The single case in Ho, the Regional capital involves a 48-year old Ghanaian, who returned to Ho from Accra and 12 days after, developed the symptoms.
There has not been anytime like this where Ghanaians have high expectations from companies and people of affluence to show they care.
Ghana has not been spared the novel coronavirus pandemic. The virus is widely spreading globally at the fastest rate and causing death in large numbers. Ghana is bearing the brunt of the spread with over 800 cases and 6 deaths.
But as Government fights the disease and addresses the challenges that come along with it, there is a seeming pressure on organizations to contribute to the fight.
This demand is a familiar concept in the business environment where an organization operating in a society needs to acquire a social license. This social license means putting a human face on your business, showing empathy to people that need it, running an environmentally sustainable business and providing financial and moral support to society. The social license is what we call, Corporate Social Responsibility.
The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) refers to the general belief held by growing numbers of citizens that businesses have responsibilities to society that extend beyond their obligations to the stakeholders or investors of the firm.
There have been various works of literature on this concept depending on how one sees it; either in a Business View or Societal View. These views are two opposing perspectives resulting from different interpretations of the role of Businesses in society.
Milton Friedman, one of the forerunners of the Business view, argued that the social responsibility of a business is to increase its profits. He explained that the only social responsibility of a business is to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it complies with the Regulations. He believes persons who directly benefit from the company’s profit through salaries or returns on their investment could play philanthropic roles on behalf of the company.
Edward Freeman and Achie B Caroll who argued for the Societal View insist businesses have a responsibility to their society in which they operate.
Whichever angle one may see it; it makes business sense for any organization to adopt a social responsibility policy. There is always a link between an Organization’s CSR activities and the organization’s unique selling proposition (USP). This unique identity differentiates a company from its competitors. CSR policies are cornerstones for the identity of many brands with deepened customer loyalty and support which translates into higher financial gains.
Sadly, Ghana has been relaxed in coming out with a comprehensive policy for all businesses operating in the country. What currently exist are sector-specific. For instance, Telecommunication, Petroleum, Tourism among others have their respective regulations largely focusing on how the companies could meet their ethical, legal and economic obligations without much focus on discretionary or philanthropic expectations that society has for organizations at a given point in time. The philanthropic activities sum up the whole idea of how business attempts to do well by doing good.
The absence of a comprehensive Regulatory Framework that merges all the sectoral policies exposes loopholes that are obvious during this pandemic. Citizens could barely feel the impact of organizations joining their hands to support Government in this pandemic. The random CSR initiatives without a comprehensive roadmap makes us lose focus on the crucial challenges CSR can address in Ghana.
It is common to hear citizens question the contributions of our Telecommunication Industry in this fight aside from the periodic tips they send via SMS educating citizens on the virus and health protocols to adhere to. The church is under pressure to support its members. While some Celebrities are being compelled to support, others have been scrutinized for being minimally engaged in the well-being of the society that support their arts. Politicians especially Members of Parliament are under similar pressure.
Interestingly we seem to have state-owned utility service providers such as the Electricity Company of Ghana and the Ghana Water Company bringing significant interventions with supports from the government but the private sector has been relaxed in its contribution.
Thanks to the few Corporate and Social Organizations who are giving back to society.
Social responsibilities of businesses or the affluent are drawn from the amount of social power that they have. To sum it; to whom much is given, much is expected.
Elsewhere activities of companies are reported to the state and the impact of CSR is measured. The US government requires Companies to provide details of their spending on CSR. In the United Kingdom, a company’s CSR activities are an essential component in its evaluation. Saudi Arabia levies a special tax of 2.5% out of the company’s capital for CSR. In India, CSR is mandatory and companies are supposed to use 2% of their net profit after tax for corporate social responsibility.
Ghana needs a comprehensive CSR Policy now than ever.
Source: King Nobert Akpablie
NB: The writer is a Public Relations and Media Specialist. All views expressed in this article are personal and do not represent those of any organization(s). (email:kingnobert2@gmail.com Mob: 0241145874)
After three weeks of lock down, life is set to return to the Greater Accra and Kumasi Metropolitan areas as the ban on movement in those areas has been lifted.
The ban which was imposed by President Akufo-Addo early this month, in bid to contain the spread of the Corona virus pandemic in the country, brought commercial activities within the country’s two major commercial hubs to a standstill as non-essential businesses were closed with many workers staying home.
An empty Central business district during the lock down
However, in a televised address to nation on Sunday night, the President announced an end to the partial lockdown effective, Monday 20th April, 2020.
The decision, according to him was based on the modest successes chalked at containing the spread of the virus in Accra and Kumasi after an aggressive contact tracing and testing, which currently puts the country’s case count at 1042 with nine deaths and 99 recoveries.
“In effect, tomorrow will see the partial lockdown in Accra and Kumasi being lifted,” the President announced as he acknowledged the severe impact the partial lock down had on the poor and vulnerable.
He nonetheless stated the ban on public gatherings, the closure of schools and the ports of entry still remain in force, as the country was not yet out of the woods.
He encouraged all and sundry to adhere to the social distancing protocols and further directs the use of nose masks to curb the rate of transmission of the virus in the country.
Credible information reaching Volta Online news desk indicates that, a pastor and two of his aides are in the grips of the Ho police for holding a church service in clear defiance of the government’s directive against public gathering.
The suspects were arrested Sunday at the Ahoe satellite Market in Ho, where they were reportedly having a church service with a congregation of about 20 in one of the stores, Volta Online has gathered.
They are currently being held at the Ho Central Police station, and would be arraigned before the court in the coming days on a possible charge(s) of breaching the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012).
This latest arrest comes barely a week after another pastor and two others were arrested by the Peki Police for similar offence in the South Dayi district.
They were subsequently arraigned before the Kpando Circuit court, where they were found guilty and fined 1,100 penalty units (Ghc13,200) each or in default serve a 4-year jail term.
Volta Online checks however revealed that, Apostle Sampson Agakpe, founder of the Church of Pure Christ, and his assistants, Maxwell Dzogoedzikpe and Samuel Agakpe failed to pay the fines and have since begun their jail term at the Kpando Prisons.
Background
Following the outbreak of the corona virus pandemic in the country, parliament passed the Restrictions law to give power to the President to impose restrictions as and when necessary in order to contain the spread of the virus in the country.
Since then, the government has partially lock down some parts of the country, closed all ports of entry, and banned all public gatherings including religious activities.
