Easing Restrictions by Gov’t devoid of science, data – Alex Segbefia

A former Health Minister, Alex Segbefia has said measures taken by government in lowering the restrictions that were previously imposed on Ghanaians as means to control the spread of the novel coronavirus is devoid of science and data.

According to him, the new direction is basically based on economics statistics instead of data and science.

Government imposed a ban on all social gatherings in March. These included the suspension of all activities in schools, churches, mosques, and even some businesses.

But in the latest development, the President, Nana Akufo-Addo announced a partial easing of these restrictions on gatherings.

He made the declaration during his tenth address to the nation on Sunday, May 31, 2020.

Schools are to reopen for final year students of the various levels of education.

Religious activities can also take place, with a maximum of just 100 congregants, alongside following strict safety protocols.

Reacting to this on The Point of View show on Citi TV monitored by thepublisheronline.com, Alex Segbefia said the recent move posed a high risk to the country as most Ghanaians were already not obeying the initial protocols.

”Our position on this very issue is still the same, and that is whatever decisions are made, we are of the view that it has more to do with economic and social issues. We do not believe this very decision is based on the science and data because we believe that, there are issues with the data we have.

”Secondly even if you decide to use what you have in respect to the data statistics, the easing of restriction directed by government doesn’t reflect. We are clear in our minds that, this decision is more on the basis of social intervention and economic intervention and that should be the narrative so that people know where they are and what they are pushing us through” he said.