The National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE)’s campaign to sensitise the public to observe Covid-19 safety protocols received a further boost with the presence of men from the Public Affairs Department of the Ghana Police Service (GPS). 

The presence of the Police during the exercise helped compelled the public who were obstinate in observing the protocols to wear their facemask when Civic Educators reached out to citizens in some parts of Accra. 

In addition to encouraging the public and commuters at Kaneshie, Darkuman, Akweteman, Lapaz and Abeka Junction, the NCCE also engaged residents of Bubuashie and visited some schools to educate pupils and teachers on observing Covid-19 protocols.

The joint NCCE/Police team approached members of the public especially Trotro drivers to always wear a nose mask and insist that passengers wear nose mask before boarding vehicles.

The Deputy Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs, NCCE, Mrs. Rita Tetteh, on behalf of the Commission explained the rationale behind the campaign urging the public not to relent in observing the safety measures. She indicated that COVID-19 cases keep rising and insists citizens wear nose mask to stop the spread of the disease. 

"Wear nose mask to protect yourself and others from Covid-19. We realised that people have the nose mask but wearing it is a big challenge. 

"As the cases rise, our surest weapon is to adhere to the Covid-19 safety protocols and eat immune-boosting foods that would strengthen us even as we await the procurement of the vaccines," she added.

Likewise, Corporal John Teye Wisdom from the Public Affairs Department of the Ghana Police Service, commended the NCCE for its efforts and noted that wearing of nose mask is mandatory.

He reiterated that the Police Service has started arresting those defaulting in observing the safety protocols. With the rising cases, he encouraged Ghanaians to stay safe.

The Civic Educators used a blend of placards with educative messages on COVID-19 inscribed on them, which was complemented by jingles translated in 11 Ghanaian local languages, public announcements and Covid-19 music played using the new NCCE Cinema Van donated by the European Union (EU) under the Accountability, Rule of Law, Anti-corruption Programme (ARAP).

During the Commission’s engagement it was obvious that members of the public had in their possession nose masks but for some reasons refused to wear the nose masks.

Others also wore the masks wrongly whilst others kept the masks in their pockets or bags.