The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has commended government for refusing to host the 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ghana after Morocco pulled out.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) asked Ghana to consider replacing Morocco after that country pulled out because of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
CAF’s request to Ghana caused a public outrage with the GMA stating that government will import the deadly disease to the country should it host the tournament.
Government subsequently declined to host the AFCON.
[contextly_sidebar id=”FHtiQSVK5a7HAXhm5hZ54wY2U9p1jf17″]Speaking at an Ebola preparedness platform organized by TV3, the President of the GMA, Dr Kwabena Opoku Adusei said: “I want to commend government for listening and saying no to AFCON 2015. It’s a good thing that government did because at least, they listened to us.”
He however called on the government to put in place all necessary measures to get health officials ready for a possible outbreak.
According to the GMA president, it is imperative for government to believe that “Ebola may come to Ghana; they must believe the statistics and we cannot continue to be lucky.”
He stressed that although religious bodies are praying against the Ebola disease, “prayers alone may not help and we want government to be educating members of the general public frequently.”
Dr. Opoku Adusei questioned why state owned newspapers fail to publish facts on Ebola.
“If you take the Daily Graphic or the Ghanaian Times, they tell you about the level of water in the Akosombo dam so why can’t they do same for Ebola?” he asked.
He called for the intensification of training for front liners and all health staff in preparedness of a possible outbreak of the disease in the Ghana.
The GMA president gave the assurance that the members of the association are always ready to partner with government.
Regarding the compensation for health workers, Dr. Opoku Adusei disclosed that the GMA has had an informal discussion with government “and we are yet to sign a proper document that spells out all that our Deputy Minister has said.”
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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