ONMA Intensifies COVID-19 Fight

Chief Executive of Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly (ONMA) Boye Laryea has urged traders in the Municipality to support government in its fight against the deadly Corona Virus.

He said the devastating effects of the disease must be taken seriously by all persons.

Citing the United States of America as an example, he said even the worlds super powers have been brought down on their knees by the virus, the reason all Ghanaians must strictly adhere to the directives put in place to fight the global canker.

The MCE made the disclosure during the donation of hand washing facilities to market traders and institutions in the Municipality.

Mr. Laryea stated that the gesture is part of efforts by the Nana-Addo led government to stem the further spread of the disease in the municipality and the country at large.

He tasked the beneficiaries especially the market traders to cover their noses and observe maximum safety precautions.

At the Achimota hospital in Accra, Dr. Salamatu Nantogma, Medical Superintendent who received the items on behalf of the hospital said “We never understood what it meant when we used to say that our work was risky until COVID. COVID has really tested how you feel your work is risky and how you still have to go forward.”

She adds that “You go forward to take the bullet and you are not even sure how you are going to handle it so anything to make sure that our work is easier is very much welcome. Even our staff every day we have to encourage them to tell them that it is possible for us to go through this.

Ms. Nantogma however, called for more assistance especially the Protective of Personal Protective Equipment’s (PPE’s).

Receiving the items on behalf of the Lapaz New Market Traders, Kempis Yaw Boamah, Assemblyman for Anahoma Electoral Area was grateful to the Assembly for the donation and promised to use the items for intended purpose.

Joana Arries-Tagoe, the Municipal Information Officer told the paper that the Assembly on Monday made similar donations to the Abeka Market also within the Municipality.

She expressed worry over what she said was the people’s disregard for the presidents’ directives on social distancing but was quick to indicate that people are rather adhering to the hand washing directive.

Mrs. Arries-Tagoe said prior to the donation on Monday, the Assembly together with some nurses from the Achimota Hospital took the market women in the Municipality through the hand washing excercise.

The ONMA Municipal Information Officer disclosed that the sensitization started last week Tuesday with their Information Department, NCCE, NADMO, Planning and Nurses from Achimota Hospital.

She noted that NCCE and Information Services Department educated market women within the Municipality and drivers at the various lorry stations on the causes of COVID -19, symptoms and preventive measures which included frequent hand washing, use of sanitizer and practicing of social distancing.

Mrs. Arries-Tagoe said in addition, jingles in various languages were played with the van at markets, communities and lorry stations to create awareness of disease.

In all 25 Veronica buckets, 100 Tissue, 150 Liquid soaps and Sanitizers 25 worth thousands of Cedis were distributed in the Municipality.

The beneficiary institutions were the Lapaz Community Clinic, Achimota Hospital, Lapaz New Market traders, the Amasaman Lorry Station in Lapaz, Akweteyman Market, Achimota market, Kisseman Market. Achimota police station and Tesano Divisional Police Station.