Member of Parliament for the North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has expressed disappointment over the management of COVID-19 testing of MPs and staff by the leadership of the house of Parliament.
According to the MP. decision to hold test results as a secret should not be encouraged because many world leaders and institutions of repute have not concealed the result of their tests. Hence, the Ghanaian Parliament should not be an exception.
Mr. Ablakwa in a Facebook post said ”As I noted earlier today on the floor of Parliament though with some resistance from the Rt. Hon. Speaker which I take in stride, I am totally disappointed in how the COVID-19 testing of MPs and Staff of the House has been managed.”
”There should be nothing to hide. Let us lead by example and in a way that avoids entrenching stigmatization which is becoming a major challenge in the national coronavirus response. Many world leaders and institutions of repute have not concealed the result of their tests, the Ghanaian Parliament shouldn’t be an unworthy exception,” he added.
Mr. Ablakwa argues that ”Refusing to be transparent we shall fail to observe the urgently needed contact tracing and disinfecting protocols thereby endangering the health of those associated with Parliament including all MPs, staff, journalists, family relations, guests of Parliament and our constituents, many of whom we continue to engage very regularly.”
Parliament last week, directed the Clerk and Medical Officer of Parliament to liaise with the Ghana Health Service to undertake testing of all Members of Parliament and staff of the Parliamentary Service for COVID-19.
“In addition to observing the established protocols, I have directed, on the authority of the Parliamentary Service Board, the Clerk and Parliament’s Medical Officer to liaise with the appropriate institution to immediately conduct testing of all honourable members and staff of the Parliamentary Service for COVID-19,” the Speaker said in his opening remarks to the plenary on Tuesday, May 19, 2020.
The three-day exercise which began on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, and ended on Friday, May 22, 2020 was meant to ensure all MPs are captured in the exercise and tested for COVID-19.
Reports went viral after the exercise indicating that some MPs and Staff of Parliament tested positive. A report parliament has described as false.
Minority Chief Whip Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka revealed that two Parliamentarians and 13 staff have so far tested positive for COVID-19.
According to him, the infected persons were informed of their status after Speaker of Parliament directed mass testing of all members and staff of the House last week.
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on Parliament to shut down after two MPs and 13 staff tested were reported to have positive for the novel coronavirus pandemic.
According to sources close to the legislature, closing down the House and allowing all MPs and staff to self-isolate will prove crucial in curbing the spread of the disease.
