Minority Chip Whip, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, has revealed that a Member of Parliament is currently in quarantine at an unnamed facility after testing positive for the novel coronavirus.
The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Health Committee made the revelations to highlight the need for COVID-19 safety protocols because the country was susceptible to another wave of high infections.
“Even if the Member of Parliament who has taken the first jab is currently in quarantine in a facility because of COVID over the weekend, it means we are clearly not out of the woods yet. We need to continue observing the protocols,†he told Joy News in an interview.
“We are trying to find out how many more MPs have not taken the second jab. So, if the number is large, then probably, all those who didn’t take the second jab have to go through the test…This is one of the suggestions I am going to carry to the Speaker that we may have to quickly take an inventory to see who and who have not taken the second jab and get them to re-test so we see our way clear,†he added.
In February this year, Parliament was shut down for at least three weeks over a surge in coronavirus cases among lawmakers and staff.
At least 17 members of parliament and 151 support staff were reported to have been infected with the coronavirus, which had already forced the MPs to limit sittings.
The latest case in Parliament follows fears that a recent funeral held for a former General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (Sir John) could be a super spreader because it was attended by thousands of party supporters, Members of Parliament and other dignitaries.Â
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Photos and videos at the event show many flouted safety protocols.
The President, Nana Akufo-Addo and his vice, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia also attended the mammoth funeral.
Apology
Speaking during the same interview with Joy News, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, spoke on behalf of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority to demand an apology from the President for what some have described as the wanton disregard for COVID-19 protocols at the funeral of Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, on Thursday and Friday.
“The President owes us an apology that as a Commander-in-Chief he was there when this thing happened, I mean nothing could be said rather than for him to apologise to the rest of the country,†he said.
Many Ghanaians who have taken to social media to condemn the video say apart from the failure of the multitude of people present at the funeral to adhere to the COVID-19 protocol, the Imposition of Restrictions Act still in force was flouted.
The Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012), passed by Parliament and assented to by the President on March 21, 2020, was enacted to provide powers to the President for the imposition of restrictions in accordance with the constitutional provisions on fundamental human rights in the event or imminence of an emergency, disaster or similar circumstance to ensure public safety, public health and protection.
This is in line with social distancing measures and restrictions the Government of Ghana has put in place against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Ghana.
In exercise of this Act, the President banned all large funeral gatherings, allowing private burials consisting of not more than 25 people.
Pathetic, failed, and oppressed Ghana.
A group of Ghanaian youth yearning for a better Ghana wanted to protest but were denied because the state claim we are in a pandemic.
Look at us celebrating and glorifying a man who died of covid?
Shame on us #FixTheCountry pic.twitter.com/bFCEhVz4HN
There were over 1,000 people at Sir John’s funeral.
Not long ago, some members of the Christ Embassy Church were charged for breaching Covid-19 protocols during a recent church event which hosted thousands of worshippers despite the ban on social gathering.