Today is day 5 of the two week partial lockdown declared by the President last week. We must all continue to cooperate with these directives and STAY HOME. We need to stay home to prevent a faster spread of the COVID-19 virus and slow the rate of infection.
While we observe the period of lockdown, it is incumbent on Government to also take urgent action to resolve some of the obvious shortcomings in our response to the pandemic. The unpleasant news of an imminent strike by health workers at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital because of the poor response to COVID-19 is most disturbing.
The situation in Korle Bu is not an isolated case. Complaints of lack of PPEs and isolation facilities are coming from many health facilities across the country and it is important that steps are taken to identify areas of urgent need and supply the resources and logistics needed to build the confidence of our frontline health workers to battle this disease.
The well-intentioned lockdown has obviously led to some unintended consequences and I believe it is time to utilize the Stabilization Fund to build some additional buffers for the economy. The use of the fund should be directed at cushioning the general population through this period of economic slowdown. These measures may include short term temporary tariff relief in respect of utilities.
While petroleum prices have dropped in recent times, the directive to commercial drivers to reduce the number of passengers means their incomes have also reduced. Additional relief in the form of a temporary waiver of some petroleum taxes to further reduce fuel prices will be helpful to the motoring public, especially commercial drivers.
Additionally, since a significant number of people are in WFH (working from home) mode, the use of data and ICT mediums have become imperative. Government should consider also a temporary relief from the Communication Service Tax (CST) in order to grant some relief to data users. Possible discussions between the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the telecommunications companies could yield positive results in providing some relief to their customers during this difficult period.
We can also consider applying some revenue to procure the appropriate materials to facilitate local production of face masks by our tailors and dressmakers. This will make available millions of reusable masks by the general public. This will allow for medical masks to be reserved for health personnel only. This project will help provide income for thousands in the textile and garment sector.
And finally, I thought in these times, the National Security Coordinator's attention should be engaged with weightier matters of national security than who is presenting what branded item to our health facilities.
These are not normal times and we should elevate our activities above the petty partisan, parochial mode that we have been used to in the recent period.
John Dramani Mahama
Cantonments, Accra
Source: John Dramani Mahama/facebook
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Airbus Airbus Airbus Airbus Airbus Airbus! What saith thou, Mr. Dramani?? General Mosquito says he won't stop bothering Nana over the coronavirus test until Nana respond. Ghanaians also won't stop asking about Airbus until you answer us. Airbus Airbus Airbus.
@ naslghana. YES We all wait for Airbus comments. The sad thing is the MPs and Solicitors warning of dire consiquences if anyone dare question their man A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED -AIRBUS FOUND GUILTY. There is no doubt the deed was done - so if not JDM -WHO ? This crime committed on their watch - they should have exposed it and want to solve it now. By the way - we seem to be doing rather well against C19 - new cases down to 1 today. BRAVO the Virus Hunters - Well done.
Mahama and his people have nothing to offer Ghanaians. They should stop bothering us.
There is nothing nationalistic about you. You are just displaying your NPP party colors here, so please stop foooooooling yourself with this nationalistic nonsenseeee. For some of you without following and defending your political parties blindly your daily bread will elude you. This country will never progress with characters like you who cannot differentiate patriotism from party activist.
I will be very disappointed if JM keep mute, even for a day. The more he talks the more he angers nationalistic Ghanaians and the more he displays his childish incompetent mantra. The greedy opportunistic folks who depend on his weakness to milk the state will surely come to his defense
... when you had the opportunity, you assumes dead-goatt mentality, danced Yentie Obia and told Ghanaians that we have small memory. Now you come back and talk like you care! What a Johnnnnnnnnn...
Are you guys normal at all. Did this happen when Mahama was a president and refuse to implement the suggestions he made here. Sometimes I just don't get it why some human beings in this country chose to be stupiiiiiiiiiiid at all times.
These are not normal times and we should elevate our activities above the petty partisan, parochial mode that we have been used to in the recent period. JDM partisanship hasn’t been recent ooo. Just show some reliability small in some level of truthfulness. At least it helps to let’s know you really mean your submission. I have wondered why you didn’t do all you’re requesting done during your tenure when opportunities came to do same but rather told us you were goatishly dead. Hmmm tell Omane Boamah to rightly direct his talk talk talk bashing where it should belong wai.
Wopana pana pana! Charlie you dey be well well in opposition and it’ll be best to remain there. Where were all these good thoughts between 2012 & 2016. Hmmm ebe matter ooo. Let’s keep you where you operate best so we get the best of you for the betterment of our Motherland. Ahoy yaaa!!!
we are still waiting for his comments on the Airbus scandal