Ghana recorded its first case of global pandemic Coronavirus (Covid-19) on March 12, the numbers had since keep rising, with four deaths and one recovery so far.

This had come about the question whether the Akofu-Addo lead Government should consider lockdown option as part of response to prevent further spreading of the virus among the public.

Giving the fact that the country have such a fragile health system when compared with developed worlds that had but were the worse hit by Covid-19, had resulted a rising concern fo lockdown option.

One of such groups lamenting and calling for lockdown from the rooftop, is the Ghana Medical Association (GMA).

According to this group of doctors, they have observed with grave concern the increasing trend of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ghana and the national response to this pandemic, which one had been “Day of national prayer and fasting”.

Although, there have been other interventions such as closure of all points of entry into the country as well as quarantining passengers who arrived from Covid-19 countries, the GMA believes more need to be done for public safety.

In a statement signed by Dr Frank Ankobea and Dr Justice Yankson, Presidents and General Secretary respectively of the Ghana Medical Association on March 25, 2020 encouraged the government to opt for a lockdown.

It said: “The GMA being fully conscious of the threats posed by this pandemic, the disturbing trend of community spread and obvious inadequate of capacity (logistics and human resource) of the Nation’s health system to deal with increased number of covid-19 infection, especially in severe to critical cases, call on his Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana to declare a national lockdown with the exception of essential services with immediate effect.”

The statement continued by adding that: “The lockdown though is not a comfortable decision for leadership and citizens alike, as proven option backed by science and along with other measures will ultimately be in our best interest. We call on all Ghanaians to support such a move in the in the national interest to save our nation the devastating effects of this pandemic.”

However, some civil society groups and individuals had also raised the question of whether the country has what it takes to implement such decision.

One of such individuals is Samuel Komla Agbotsey, Human Right Activist and former staff of Social Welfare, who said lockdown may be the best approach but not practicable in the country.

He raised legitimate questions of how ready is the country and whether or not it has the adequate resources to support lockdown, adding “Do we have the money? Do we have a plan?”

According to him, before this decision is even considered, those at the hem of affairs must also think about vulnerable people who live on “hand to mouth” – those with low wages or no salary or have very little to depend.

He extended his worry to what life would be for street children, street workers and homeless people who could barely feed themselves and had to depend on alms for survival.

Though a decision on this matter is yet to be taken, Mr Agbotsey wants to find out what paper or plan of action that the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection had presented to the government on the lockdown.

Mr Agbotsey also wants answers on whether there are social workers on the Coronavirus Inter-Agency-Taskforce and if not so “it is not too late to go back and add them.”

He said it was the time for religious bodies, especially the Church go out to support the vulnerable members and destitute in society in case the lockdown is enforced.

By Bernice Bessey