Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang Manu’s comments about transferring food items to stranded students in China seems to have earned him some backlash. Speaking in an interview on Okay FM, Mr. Agyemang Manu, stated that plans have been put in place to send food items including ‘shito’ to these students who are currently stuck in China as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak.
In a petition for the immediate evacuation of Ghanaian citizens and students from Wuhan, China by families of stranded students at the Epicenter, spokesperson for the parents, Irene Callixta Songotu, called for the resignation of the Health Minister who they claim has belittled the whole situation.
Irene Callixta Songotu, who spoke on behalf of the parents added that they couldn’t believe that such an insensitive statement came from a senior member of parliament and a Health Minister of the country for that matter.
“Access to basic necessities of life has become impossible yet the Minister of Health, a parent as well, is saying that all is well with our children. We do not want to believe that the statement actually came from the Minister of Health, and if indeed that it is true then it is rather unfortunate and really a disappointing statement… we call on him to resign as he has failed to appreciate the sensitive, emotional and traumatic nature of the entire situation,” Irene Callixta Songotu stated.
Some parents who spoke to GhanaWeb pleaded with President Akufo-Addo to rescue Ghanaian citizens by evacuating all those locked-up in Wuhan China.
“We are asking the government to bring them (Ghanaian students) home, they are citizens of Ghana… they can hardly get food to eat, what he lives on is Lipton tea. He takes Lipton for the whole day, how long will he get that Lipton to keep him going.. they cannot go out, when they are sick where do they go to?,” Mr. James Adongo who is a parent of a stranded Ghanaian student in China questioned.
“Government is not quick, they aren’t acting. I feel bad… I feel sad. I mean it (evacuation) should not be toiled with, so long as you contact the virus the incubation period is very short…we can lose him (son). All that we need is to get him back home safely,” says one of the traumatized parents, Mr. Joseph Ledlum.
