The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has asked the National Identification Authority (NIA) to suspend the ongoing registration exercise in the Eastern region.
A statement issued by the GMA, signed by its president and general secretary respectively said the call is in the “interest of public health and safety”.
Following President Akufo-Addo’s directives banning public gathering including church and funeral services, some have raised concerns about the refusal of the NIA to call off the exercise.
For instance, a civil society group, ASEPA has threatened to report two state institutions including the National Identification Authority to the World Health Organisation over their decisions ignore some coronavirus protocols announced by government and WHO to stem the spread of the pandemic in Ghana. The exercise most often attracts huge patronage, as many gather around registration centres.
So far Ghana has recorded seven cases as of March 17.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Medical Association that has been monitoring the country’s preparations and activities to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, said the mass registration by the Authority “defeats the spirit and letter” of the president’s directives.
“The GMA calls on the National Identification Authority (NIA) to suspend with Immediate effect the ongoing mass registration exercise in the Eastern Region,” it demanded.
It further noted: “It is the considered view of the GMA that this mass registration activities by the NIA if allowed to continue could create a fertile ground for potential spread of COVID-19, endangering the lives of the staff of the NIA, the communities involved and the entire nation in the process.
“This will undoubtedly be fatal for the country.”
The Association is therefore urging government to begin enforcement of self-isolation of all Ghanaian citizens and residents returning into Ghana from countries with high records of COVID-19.
Source: 3news.com | Ghana