The Christian Rural Aid Network (CRAN) has called for an intensified education on the COVID-19 in the rural parts of the country if Ghana could sustain its fights against the pandemic.

According to the NGO, many of the rural folk still live their lives as if there is nothing at stake. This, they say, heightens the fear of the spread of the virus in the rural communities.

Many rural folk have either not heard about the coronavirus or have heard but they feel the virus is very far away from them.

For some, there is nothing like social or physical distancing and hand shaking is still in force. The folks, claim, they’ve not been educated on the severity of the virus and what to do in these times.

The Christian Rural Aid Network (CRAN) has been moving to rural communities in the Western and Central regions educating the folks on the virus and distributing hand sanitizers and other hand washing items to the communities there.

Director of Administration and Finance at the Christian Rural Aid Network, Doris Agbesinyale, wants the communities to take more proactive steps to protect themselves against the pandemic.

“Here, there is nothing like social distancing; life seems normal and the status quo remains. They tell us apart from us, there hasn’t been any attempt by any organization or agency to tell the about the virus. This is worrying,” she stated.

Programs Manager at CRAN, Allswell Hooper says the organization that works in seven communities in the Central, Western and Volta Regions would play their part to help support the communities in the fight against the pandemic.

“As part of our social responsibility to help the fight against the pandemic, we have made available 1200 nose masks, 400 pieces of hand sanitizers and other handwashing items. WE are also sensitizing them on the virus,” she explained.

Christian Rural Aid Network (CRAN) is rural development, advocacy and relief organization dedicated to working with the rural poor, women, children, families and their communities in order to improve their living and prospective conditions.