Accra, April 20, GNA – The National Commission for Civic Education on Monday called on Ghanaians to eschew acts of lawlessness to stem the spread of the coronavirus as a complement to government’s efforts to winning the fight against the pandemic.
Mr Kenneth Kponor, the NCCE Volta Regional Director, who made the call, urged the public to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Imposition of Restrictions Act, Act 1012, 2020.
He said the 1992 Constitution permits Parliament to pass laws to restrict the general rights and freedoms enjoyed under specific grounds.
These grounds include defence of public safety, public health, and running of essential services.
The President may also impose restrictions on the movement or residence within Ghana of any person or class of persons, and restrict movement within or into Ghana of a person who is not a citizen.
Mr Kponor, in a telephone interview with the Ghana News Agency, said it was important to adhere to the President’s directives to ensure the safety of all in these trying moments.
He said the Commission had launched the “NCCE Anti-COVID-19 Public Education Campaign” to educate Ghanaians that the coronavirus is not a myth but a reality with no known vaccine at the moment.
It focuses on symptoms, mode of transmission and the need to observe safety protocols outlined by the World Health Organisation and Ghana Health Service to prevent infection.
The NCCE is undertaking the campaign in collaboration with the Church of Pentecost, which has provided mobile cinema van for the campaign.
“Our team of civic educators are discussing the Imposition Restriction Act, 2020 (Act, 1012) on radio and information centres across the Region.”
The public needs to understand the consequences of infringing on the Imposition of Restrictions Act; “the President is clothed with the necessary powers to impose restrictions on persons to give effect in line with the 1992 Constitution of Ghana”.
The NCCE Regional Director explained that the ongoing public education is to ensure public compliance with established protocols by the Government to contain the spread of the virus in the country as well as sensitise the people on the dangers of the COVID-19.
Mr Kponor, said the Region had been divided into four strategic zones to ensure that “no one is left out in the community outreach programme”.
He said so far 874 communities have been reached with the information on the coronavirus pandemic, adding; “In all the zones, community leaders were urged to own the actions by government and appreciate all measures employed irrespective of their affiliations.”
The Team encouraged the public not to panic but rather maintain social and physical distancing, practice respiratory hygiene and stay home unless it was critically important to go out.
“Call the COVID-19 numbers if you suspect a case in your area or you experience a dry cough, fever, tiredness, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhoea and difficulty in breathing and avoid contact with other persons,” he said.
GNA