It’s been over a month since Ghana announced its first confirmed case of Covid-19.
With the figure 1,279, with 10 deaths, as at April 24, 2020, the country is the worst affected in West Africa.
A few days ago, Deputy Minister for Health, Bernard Okoe-Boye, indicated the curve representing transmission levels will begin to flatten and produce potential informative outcomes for other countries trying to control coronavirus.
This sounds good to Ghanaians as many are skeptical about when the virus would disappear.
Regional, metropolitan, municipal and district authorities are working tirelessly to prevent the spread of disease in their respective jurisdictions.
Food relief has been shared and the media is sending messages across to get people educated.
Unfortunately, people are still out and about, throwing precautionary measures to the wind because, they need to work in order to eat. Call them "the hand to mouth group of people" whose only survival depends on daily income.
"Informal workers, who comprise a large population, face the challenge of complying with the health protocols. They lack basic knowledge about the virus, “says Salim Bamba, an anti-Covid-19 campaigner.
He belongs to a group that developed preventive strategies and actions in Ejura Sekyeredumasi municipality, about three hours’ drive from the Ashanti region capital, Kumasi.
To monitor suspected and recovered cases, the Covid-19 Coalition, to which Salim belongs, is tracking coronavirus cases in the Ashanti Region to guide members in providing proactive measures against its spread in the municipality.
As messages are sent around the jurisdiction, the coalition is concerned about local coverage and grassroot organisation. It has been working with musicians to produce audio materials for the campaign.
Convenor, Abubakar Sadick, explains, “We understand that not all residents have access to the internet, so awareness via TV and Radio doesn't reach everyone.
"With this exercise, we manage to disseminate and interact with people to know their challenges.”
In communities like Bompa, and Babaso, some desperate residents have resorted to drinking local gin, popularly known as ‘akpeteshie’, supposedly to avoid contracting Covid-19.
They are so convinced about the theory, it would take strong advocacy to re-orient them.
With community outreach by the coalition, the narrative is set to change as members seek to make a positive impact by reversing the misconception.
The young graduates and other group of people ride motorbikes over long distances to reach out to rural folks with public education massages.
One of the simplest messages to the people is "your health is very important; don't forget to wash your hands and observe social distancing," Public Relations Officer of the coalition, Mahmud Mohammed-Rabiu, reveals.
He says the team is working full force to produce TV and Radio content on prevention and impact of Covid-19 for the locals.
The campaign also features women to reinforce hygiene and social distancing guidelines.
A second-year student of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Cape Coast and a student nurse at Nalerigu Nursing and Midwifery Training College, are among ladies who are dedicating their time to serve the rural folks. A 22-year-old Abubakar Sadique Basiru says she has always wanted to take up the humanitarian task and Covid-19, somehow, brought the challenge.
"It is an opportunity for me to visit rural communities and learn. At least, I am eventually applying the knowledge I acquired in school."
A 23-year-old Rebecca Nyamekye Adom, on the other hand, is touched by misconception among rural folks.
Abubakar Sadique, who teaches in a Senior High School in the Eastern Region, says the Covid-19 Coalition team is practising empathy and quick response, despite the difficulties.
"We are uniting information and communication initiatives that include townfolks and hinterlands.
“It strengthens our individual agency, creates the feeling that we are not alone and it helps us to fight the pandemic,” he emphasised.
Each day's journey can be life-threatening but the young men and woman on motorbikes say there is no better time to serve their people than now.
Members of the Coalition for Covid-19 are determined to achieve one thing- healthy Ejura Sekyeredumasi.
They would go the extra mile to cover most of the remote communities.
In health or in sickness, they stand by the people they have decided to serve to the glory of God.
While the group is doing its part within limited resources, the Municipal Assembly is studying ways, such as specific programme for addressing coronavirus concerns in the area.
Chief Executive, Mohamed Salisu Bamba, has made a cash donation of GH¢2,000 to the coalition.
Member of Parliament for the area, Mohammed Bawah Braimah, and Ejurahene, Nana Barima Osei Hwedie, have given GH¢1,000 each.
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