Several people have been arrested at Dambai in the Krachi East Municipality of Oti Region for allegedly failing to wear nose masks in contravention of Executive Instrument (EI 164).   

In a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo signed Executive Instrument (EI 164) last year that criminalises the failure to wear nose masks in public.   

The law states that those who are found guilty would be fined a minimum of GHC 12,000 or a maximum of GHC 60,000 or be sentenced to between 4 and 10 years in prison.   

In line with enforcing the law, Policemen have been deployed at various points in the Oti Regional capital to ensure that all persons moving in and out, wear a nose mask or are otherwise sanctioned.   

The people were arrested at Dambai market in a special operation conducted with the regional and municipal police commands.   

Police Superintendent, Mr Samuel Aboagye, Dambai Municipal Police Commander, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the arrest was a wake-up call to the people that the Executive Instrument (EI 164) would deal with recalcitrant ones, who are found in violation of the EI.

Mr Aboagye urged the public to adapt to the wearing of nose masks when leaving their homes to prevent the spread of the pandemic.   

He urged the public to make the right choice and avoid endangering the life of the rest of the population.