Former President John Mahama has accused the Akufo-Addo-led government of failing to effectively manage public education on the novel coronavirus.

According to him, whereas government is creating an “impression that all is well with the management and spread of the disease”, public education on the disease has rapidly dwindled.

He said this has led to many Ghanaians breaching the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s hygiene and distancing protocols.

“The advice from the President and other government officials that we should begin to learn to live with the disease suggests that you and I must take our destiny into our own hands as far as Covid-19 is concerned.

He reiterated his call on government to utilise some of the funds from the Stabilization Fund and the IMF to enhance local production and free distribution of re-usable face masks to especially vulnerable communities and groups.

“These funds voted by parliament are meant primarily to be used to contain the spread of the virus and the free distribution of masks is essential at this time.”

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) said the absence of an active mass education programme and a lack of involvement of key opinion leaders in the programme is partly to blame for the stigmatization of those who have recovered from the virus.

“Government’s refusal to involve traditional rulers and Assembly members in the education and management of the disease has been a big gap in our National Response Plan.”

He further called on government to “set aside some funds to assist those who have lost their means of livelihood and places of abode as a result of stigmatization.”