Politicking Covid-19 Information Killing More Than The Disease Itself

Who would have thought that the security guard in a bank would have to ask a client to put on a mask before entering the banking hall? This indeed proves that we are in abnormal times.

Ever since the first case of Covid was recorded in Ghana, normal has been disrupted and what even makes it more worrying despite the measures put in place by the Presidency, Ghana Health Service and other Stakeholders is the alarming rate at which people are spreading and contracting this deadly viral disease.

The President of Ghana and his team undoubtedly with the continual regular update address to the nation has proven to be one of the most forthcoming and competent team in dealing with the pandemic in Africa and even worldwide, at least that is what we’ve been made to believe.

There is also the dominant opposition party, continually reminding voters of how irresponsible and incapable government is handling these Covid issues. We could have not been bothered with a struggling opposition political party against a struggling government in power but for the inconsistency that the sitting government continues to portray in the dissemination of information in these crucial times.

First was when the President in his second to last address to the Nation on Covid19, eased restrictions by saying drinking pubs could start operating of which the Tourism Ministry quickly moved to cancel a circular on that effect. Was there no communication between the Ministry of Tourism and the Presidency as it is evident that Tourism was responsible for the Hospitality sector in this instance?

As if that wasn’t enough, we had all received the news about the Health Minister being infected with the covid19 virus only for him to refute the claims saying he was just getting restive in the hospital. Here was the president in his last address to the nation wishing the Minister of Health Speedy recovery from covi19 infection. Now, who is lying to the nation? How many lies and misinformation have been ditched to citizens on this Covid matters so far? How well then shouldn’t we believe the opposition political party even if we thought they were all politicians and as such propagandists? Should we then believe that the death case in Covid are being massaged like the opposition are claiming?

Misinformation and inconsistency are making some citizens doubt the existence of this invisible virus hence the continual reckless living, ignoring precautionary measures leading to the upsurge of infections of this fatal disease.

Government needs to stop politicking with information. The citizens could only trust in the government if there are consistent and accurate information. How does government want citizens to believe it with such inconsistency when they tell us that cases are continually escalating with different versions from same institution. If you want citizens to take you serious, then get serious yourselves by giving the factual information.

Source: Ghanafeed.com