On Sunday 10th May 2020, the President of Ghana, Nana Akuffo- Addo in his televised address to the Nation made a statement that struck many. According to the President, Ghana has recorded 5,127 COVID-19 cases, 494 recoveries and 22 deaths. Besides, he stated that one person infected 533 people in a fishery company. “All 533 persons were infected by one person,” The President said.
If the virus can spread from one person and infect 533 people, then one can understand the seriousness of COVID-19 and the need for radical measures and strict adherence to all preventive measures. One cannot afford to gamble with this novel coronavirus that has infected 4,318,883 people and claimed 291,398 lives with 1,569,774 recoveries globally.
Pioneer Food Cannery is said to be at the centre of the 533 new infections. The company has partially reopened after shutting down for three weeks after full disinfection of its plants, as well as the self-quarantine of staff who came into contact with the confirmed cases.
The question that comes to mind is, should larger companies with hundreds of workers still be operating during this COVID-19 pandemic where one has to practice social distancing and restrict movements? If yes, what stringent measures can they exercise to avert a lot of workers from being infected, who will unknowingly infect others at home and in the community?
This is a wake-up call for Ghana to rethink office work in a larger company with huge staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In my opinion, it is best that bigger companies limit the number of staff working at the office at a time. Also, they must strictly adhere to the protocols of facemask-wearing, hand washing with soap under running water, use of hand sanitizer, temperature checks, cleaning of surfaces and keeping a clean and healthy environment among others.
Ghana has recorded the highest number of COVID-19 infections in West Africa and had carried out 160, 501 tests more than any country in Africa.
With the jump in COVID-19 cases, the government has extended border closure for another one month and the ban on public gathering to 31st May after easing the three weeks lockdown.
Renate Dzodzomenyo- African Post Online
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Renate is a lawyer, publicist, and writer. She believes that education and information is the key to developing and shaping Africa. In her free time, she paints beautiful art pieces on canvas. Renate believes that life is a perception, and you live it the way you perceive it.
