The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has welcomed President Nana Akufo-Addo’s Executive Instrument (E.I.) mandating the wearing of face masks in public.

This will go a long way to help in the fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus, Alex Segbefia, a member of the NDC’s Covid-19 task force says.

However, the law is belated, with public education on preventive measures very low, Mr. Segbefia told Gifty Andoh Appiah on JoyNews’ ‘The Pulse’ news programme Friday.

According to the former Health Minister, the wearing of face masks should have been made compulsory long ago as the president’s mere appeal for its usage was defied by many.

“This E.I. is good, it has come a time when it is needed but it should have been earlier,” he argued.

Mr. Segbefia said when Akufo-Addo implored Ghanaians to wear the masks in April, it should have been made compulsory not optional.

Meanwhile, under the E.I. persons who fail to wear face masks in public could face a jail term of up to 10 years or pay a up to ¢60,000 fine or both.

President Akufo-Addo, in his 1th address to the nation on the management of the pandemic, directed the police to enforce wearing of masks.

“Leaving our homes without a face mask or face covering on is an offence,” he said on Sunday in a televised address.