Accra, April 20, GNA – Disability Rights Director at Human Rights Watch (HRW) Shantha Rau Barriga has called on Ghana government to expand its existing social protection programmes to cover more vulnerable people as it fights the coronavirus pandemic.
“What the government should do is expand existing social protection programmes and introduce direct cash transfers to those who lost means to make an income because of the lockdown,” she told the Ghana News Agency in an interview.
“The issue is often that the government doesn’t have an updated database on vulnerable households – therefore the government should collaborate with community groups in identifying those in need,” she added.
In respond to a question on what the government should do to ensure livelihood support, Ms Shantha called for the need to ensure that food assistance reached everyone in need, stressing, “Don’t restrict to certain geographical areas, don’t exclude informal settlements, don’t exclude by party affiliation.”
She also urged the Government to introduce targeted provision of basic needs and a moratorium on rents, evictions, and water and electricity charges.
“Provide free water stations in markets and in settlements that don’t have water and sanitation,” Shantha said.
Ghana has since its first two recorded cases of COVID-19 infections on March 12, traced a total of 86,000 contacts and tested 68,591 out of the number, making it top in cases tested in Africa.
Out of the number, 1,042 persons, representing 1.5 per cent have been confirmed positive, with 67,549 (89.5 per cent), testing negative, while 99 persons have recovered and discharged.
The Government introduced several measures, including a partial lockdown to contain the situation but on Monday lifted the ban.
However, all other enhanced measures and protocols – closure of borders, ban on social and religious gathering, and strict adherence to social distancing, are still in force.
GNA