It is strange that people are disobeying the President’s advice and encouragement to all to wear a mask. It is strange because it is intended for our protection as individuals and society. Except for the unconstitutional and illegal aspects of the one I have complained about, our individual and collective protection against getting infected with the dreaded nCovid-19 is the chief purpose of all other measures in the seven Executive Instruments (EIs) issued since Ghana recorded its first infections.

Not long after the outbreak, it was discovered that wearing a nose mask is one very effective protection against transmitting or inhaling droplets or aerosols from sneezing and coughing by infected persons. It was not surprising then that President Akufo-Addo passionately advocated wearing masks when he lifted the measured lockdown. Even those felt it was too early and a dangerous gamble, seemed to console themselves in the fact that wearing the mask when you are leaving home is a major layer of protection.

But Monday, the first day of implementation of the good advice, the media reported people were not wearing the mask, police in Kumasi hard a difficult time trying to enforce the advice.

I wear my mask and do everything to protect myself and others. I don’t need a law or police to compel me to do so. Yes, it a matter of common sense. But I observe others endanger my life by not wearing the mask. Unfortunately, the police can only enforce law, not advice or common sense. They are already endangering themselves and the least we must do is to empower them to enforce the wearing of the mask.

Realising the widespread non compliance with the advice, the Accra region security council issued a circular commanding mandatory wearing of masks. But that is not good enough until the command has the full force of law behind it. Mr. President, as you know, the coronavirus pandemic is a major public health crisis and we know the front door to spreading it. Those risking their lives, risk ours too.

Parliament passed the IRA 2020 (Act 1210) empowering you, to by the stroke of your pen, issue certain orders and instructions which we disobey on the pain of arrest, detention and prosecution leading to hefty fines and/or prison terms. The law mandates you to impose restrictions reasonable and necessary for public safty and public health. The cases are rising by the day and we are no longer forced to stay home.

Please act swiftly, or instruct the district assemblies to make the legally enforceable by-laws to compel wearing of the mask, regardless that sanctions through by-laws are far less severe (a fine up to only ¢2,400 and/or not more than six months in jail).

But first, the education ought to be increased and the masks supplied free by the State. Where are the guidelines on wearing a mask that you asked us to expect? In Nigeria’s Kaduna State, it is not only being added to the legally enforceable mandatory quarantine measures like in Senegal, but the free supply of masks as well.

People may not apply common sense, they may be ignorant, the State has a sacred duty to protect them by forcing them to protect themselves during this coronavirus pandemic. Truth is, nobody should be given the discretion to enforce common sense against you.

Human beings will always abuse discretion and that’s why we make laws so both the civilian and police know exactly what is being enforced. We could actually not need voter’s register or card but common sense on election day. We could drive without traffic regulations.

Samson Lardy ANYENINI
April 25, 2020