The Spokesperson for the five divisional chiefs in the Lower Manya Krobo Traditional Area says politicisation of the novel coronavirus by political leaders in the country is a major reason why a majority of residents are flouting various safety protocols.
According to Nene Olepeme Sakinor Nanor I, who doubles as the Chief of Suisi Okwenya, the politicisation of the disease by politicians has created doubt in the minds of a majority of residents which has also given room for stigmatization of the virus among the citizenry.
In an interview with Citi News following concerns of stigmatisation raised by some residents of Lower Manya Krobo, Nene Olepeme Sakinor Nanor I blamed politicians for contributing to the stigma and doubt surrounding the virus.
“This situation is a global concern and we know in Manya it started at the camp of the railway workers but for the citizens I’m aware samples of over 200 people were taken for testing through the contact tracing which came out as negative meaning they do not have the virus so they were left to join the community.”
“Currently I learnt that over 70 cases of COVID-19 has been recorded in Lower Manya Krobo but we don’t really know where they are coming from. My problem is that the politicians are not allowing the doctors to do their work by clarifying certain things for Ghanaians to understand and know that the virus is real because from the look of things they seem to be a divided on the reality of the virus.”
The Suisi Okwenya Manste added: “The politicians are also taking advantage of this virus to be doing other things which is really confusing us all because it’s like a strategy they have adopted to campaign for the upcoming December elections. You see members of Parliament putting their stickers on the Veronica buckets being presented to residents. But if we believe that this COVID-19 is a disease affecting the entire nation then it’s time to put politics aside and fight the virus as one nation so that when we are free from it then we go back to our normal way of life but as it stands now other people are taking advantage of it.”