Ghana must marry the ‘face mask’

Notice of Sunday, January 31, 2021

Journalist: Stephen Bernard Donkor

2021-01-31

Economic activities around the world have not been the same since the deadly COVID-19 pandemic paid us a courtesy visit. No country will ever have the temerity to disillusion the minds of all who believe that “Covid-19 has done more harm than good”.

COVID-19 is no respect for people.

He destroys without considering bribes and corruption. It reminds me of a movie I saw quite recently. It was called “the return of the ghost”. To a certain extent, some scenes in the film could be compared to Covid-19. I know the majority who read this article might have seen it too and therefore not bore you. However, for the benefit of newbies, let me be brief.

The film centered around a man’s hat and the desire to intermittently throw targets in an attempt to wipe them off. Absolutely nothing can change your destiny as long as it touches you. The one man who could practically see all of these events was not even spared. Talk less about the “Igwe” of the land.

Much like COVID-19, it takes the rich and broke to their first graves without the rules of engagement. It is very frightening to see videos of lifeless human bodies in Europe and other parts of the world falling victim to this deadly pandemic. My country has not been spared either. This can be seen in the number of deaths over a period.

COVID-19 has successfully recruited dozens of individuals from academia, politics, religion and medicine since its outbreak on March 12, 2020. Among them are the former Director General of the Ghana Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, affectionately called Sir John, Presidential Advisor, Amoako Tuffuor, the Head of Corporate Finance at Fidelity Bank, Leonard Gikunu, the Rector of the Ghana Physicians and Surgeon College, Professor Jacob Plange-Rhule, respected consultant surgeon at the Trust Hospital, Dr. Richard Kisser comes of to name a few.

COVID-19 is still not satisfied as it continues to settle on its wiping expedition. I cry for my nation today. I have tried to understand the reason for the increase in recorded cases of Covid-19. Is “the second coming of Jesus Christ near or is it a simple disregard of a simple instruction”? Forgetting to me, the majority of Ghanaians see the face mask as the new enemy, hence their refusal to wear it.

Others are real skeptics of COVID-19. How do we move forward with all of these issues at hand? You cannot survive without water even if it wiped out your whole family. It is a need. You understand. Our case continues to appreciate not because of politics, parties, churches or markets. This is simply a failure to comply with all Covid-19 safety protocols, especially that of wearing a face mask.

The fact that you are a believer does not allow you to have DDT for breakfast. Jesus Christ taught us a number of lessons about unnecessary challenges. A typical example was when the devil asked him to turn a stone into bread. The son of man saw absolutely no sense in it and consequently rebuked the devil. What am I trying to get across? Let’s marry our wife together, the “face mask” and our homes will be happy again. If we all decide to wear masks and avoid all forms of negative ideologies, we will triumph over this deadly obstacle.

Additionally, security agencies can also help matters by putting in place strict mechanisms to ensure that everyone strictly adheres to established COVID-19 protocols. They should do this without fear or favor. Let’s fight COVID-19 together by wearing a mask. Certainly, by the grace of God, I will see you healthier and happier after COVID-19. May God bless our homeland.

The author, Stephen Bernard Donkor, won the African Journalists’ Best Story of the Year Award for Economic Opportunity Training (AJEOT-2018) and a GIJ student.