Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Covid-19 Team is mounting a campaign against stigma through drama and sketches.

The Assembly says it is collaborating with comedians and artistes from the camp of ‘Kejetia and Makola’ to sensitise the public on the bad side of stigma and its effects on the fight against Covid-19.

Technical Advisor to the KMA Covid-19 team, Dr Ernest Kwarko who revealed this to Luv FM said, “We are coming up with measures to kill the stigma. We are using infotainment, drama and short plays to sensitise the public on the need to avoid stigma.”

He is worried about increasing stigma against persons who have tested positive for Covid-19.

Dr Ernest Kwarko likened it to the crusade against HIV AIDS, describing it as a wakeup call on all to act.

 “Recent stigma on Covid-19 is a wakeup call for all of us to rise and fight against the canker,” he said.

"A similar stigma has been mounted against persons living with Covid-19. People are unwilling to buy from people whose relatives have contracted the virus and this is bad,” Dr Kwarko added.

He has, therefore, called for support for the team to ramp up measures to set up the drama and play to sensitise the public.

“We want the buy- in of the general public especially those who can support us in diverse ways to make the idea a reality.”

Stigmatisation remains a huge challenge to the fight against Covid-19 as  patients face negative public attitude, with reports of community protests to setting up of isolation centres.

Not even recovered persons are spared the stigma.

Dr Kwaako spoke to Luv News when KMA Covid-19 Team donated assorted food items and sanitary materials to the Ghana AIDS Commission to share to its members.

Officials of the Commission expressed gratitude for the gesture.

Technical Coordinator for Ashanti Region's Office,  Olivia Graham is also encouraging  persons living with HIV to adhere religiously to dosage for their anti-retroviral drugs.