Since the declaration of covid-19 as a global pandemic by the WHO in March, Ghana’s response to this new virus continues to attract international recognition and applause.
Organizations and media groups such as the WHO, the TIME magazine, the New York Times and other renowned publication’s have commended Ghana’s COVID-19 response efforts.
An international blogger namely Indi Samarajiva, who has been researching into countries’ response to the pandemic and how effective their measures have significantly reduced the impact of the virus on their citizens is the latest to acknowledge Ghana’s efforts.
Writing in his series of articles for medium.com, an international blogging site, Samarajiva presents to his global audience the effectiveness of Ghana’s COVID-19 response through what he describes as intelligent leadership by President Akufo-Addo in the time of crisis.
He also praises the efforts of Ghana’s frontline workers, including the staff at Noguchi and other testing centres.
In his article COVID Underdogs: Ghana, he notes how Ghana offered sober, intelligent leadership to its people while Western leaders were telling people to drink bleach.
In a report published by The Lancet last week, ‘according to WHO, Africa is the least affected region globally, with 1.5% of the world’s reported COVID-19 cases and 0.1% of the world’s deaths.’
The main advantage Africa had was African people that used their time wisely.
In February 2020, while many other countries were still dismissing the emerging outbreak, the African Union acted swiftly, endorsing a joint continental strategy in conjunction with WHO. (The Lancet, May 30)
Within the African Union, Ghana stands out. People can claim a lack of testing or data to explain away other nations, but not Ghana. At the start of its outbreak, Ghana tested at a higher rate than even South Korea. They deployed innovative solutions like drones to reach the last mile. More than anything, their leader spoke words that made sense and saved lives.
That’s all we really have against COVID-19. We just have our brains and our ability to cooperate. We have no cure. That’s why leadership matters.
Source: ghanaweb
