CCMA HOLDS SENSITIZATION PROGRAMME ON COVID
19
The Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly acting
on behalf of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) has
held a sensitisation programme on COVID-19 for the leadership of all five major
markets in the Cape Coast Metropolitan Area as part of measures to control the
spread of the coronavirus disease. This is in line with a directive by
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to the MLGRD to collaborate with
Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to ensure personal
hygiene and good sanitation practices in markets across Ghana.
In his welcome address, the Metropolitan
Chief Executive, Hon. Ernest Arthur, indicated that we are not in normal times
and in line with the directive from the sector Minister, Hon. Hajia Alima
Mahama, the Assembly has set up the Public Health Emergency Committee to
coordinate the Assembly's activities on the fight against COVID 19 pandemic. He
mentioned that already, the various
subcommittees have started working with
some members providing education at
markets to ensure proper sanitation practices. Other members are also providing
education on radio to the general public. There is a task force in place to
ensure that people adhere to all the measures put in place by government to
control the spread of the virus,” he said.
Explaining the rational for the meeting,
Hon. Kwamena Duncan, the Central Regional Minister indicated that the meeting
was to engage the leadership of markets
and explain to them what they need to do to control the spread of the coronavirus.
"We expect that from here, you will also engage your members in the market
and educate them on COVID 19. Make sure you protect yourselves by adhering to
the precautionary measures as outlined by thegovernment", the Minister
said.
Hon. Bright Wereko-Brobby, Member of
Parliament for Hemang Lower Denkyira and Deputy Minister for Employment and
Labour Relations, appealed to the general public to take good care of
themselves and take all the precautionary measures put in place to ensure that
they stay healthy in these trying times. He stated that any mistake on our side
will be disastrous for Ghana and all efforts put in place by the President,
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo will be in vain.
Hon. Hawa Koomson and Hon. Naana Eyiah,
Minister for Special Development Initiatives and Deputy Minister for Lands and
Natural Resources respectively advised the women to practice good hygiene and
wash their hands with soap at all times. According to them, we cannot afford to
shutdown markets and that they need to take care of themselves and their
customers to avoid the spread of the disease which has no cure.
The sensitisation meeting was also attended
by Mr. Simon Gador, Acting Metro. Coordinating Director, Mrs Hayfron, Metro
Director of Health, Mr. Iddrisu Shani, Environmental Health and Sanitation
Officer, Mrs. Margaret Nyarko Sampson, from the Metro Health Directorate and
leaders from Kotokuraba, Abura, Anafo, Efutu and Yawoada Markets.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Chief
Executive, Hon. Ernest Arthur has led the distribution of 10 Veronica buckets,
10 Jumbo tissue rolls, a carton of liquid soap consisting of 24 bottles, four
dustbins, 50 nose masks, and two cartons of hand sanitisers each to all the
markets in Cape Coast. The Mayor and his team used the opportunity to
demonstrate how to prevent the spread of the virus to market women.