The campaign team of the Upper East Regional Minister, Tangoba Abayage, who wants to become the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary candidate for the Navrongo central constituency, has put all political activities aside and moved into markets within the Navrongo area to sensitize people against the deadly Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
The team is using the exercise, including radio interviews and posters, to help avoid the spread of the disease in the area.
In the markets, the group did not only create awareness and educated the people about the viral disease but has also provided 'Veronica Buckets', bottles of liquid soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizers and Tissue papers at vantage points to encourage handwashing as a measure to ensure that people stayed safe and to prevent the possible spread of the disease.
The group visited the cattle, vegetable, fish and main markets within the Navrongo township where they demonstrated the process of proper hand washing and application of alcohol-based hand sanitizer to the market women and buyers, and urged them to include effective handwashing in their daily market activities.
The team replaced faulty 'Veronica Buckets' in the markets and provided water for the empty ones to make sure traders and buyers have no excuse not to wash their hands.
Leader of the group, Justice Kweku Ayidah, who briefed Journalists after the exercise, said the Minister haven heard about the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic directed the team to focus all attention and resources towards the education of the people to avoid its possible spread and havoc in the area.
“This team was formed to help her achieve the goal of becoming the NPP Parliamentary candidate for this constituency, but haven't heard about the spread of the COVID-19, she [the Regional Minister] has informed us to channel all resources and energies into informing and educating market women and all groups about the disease so we can as much as possible control the spread of the disease,” he said.
He added the sensitization was not going to be a one-off event, adding that the team would continue to visit the markets to provide the education, handwashing detergents and water, in some cases, until the disease is combatted.
He commended Tangoba Abayage for supporting the laudable idea and urge well-meaning persons to support the team do more in its campaign exercise against the disease which has threatened human existence.
“It has been positive and people are welcoming our campaign. You can see the crowd that wants to take part in the handwashing exercise. But the challenge is that our resources are limited, there many groups and places where the Veronica Buckets are needed, but we can’t provide for all these groups and places because we don’t have enough”.
“We are calling on everybody including other political parties to help in the supply of the Veronica Buckets and other items needed to increase the awareness”.
On the issue of poor maintenance of the equipment, Mr. Ayidah urged leaders of the various market groups, into whose care the equipment have been entrusted, to ensure that they are kept away from damage and people who may steal them for individual use.
Mr. Ayidah said added that “Mama Tangoba says human lives matter. Now, it is about the lives of the people which are at risk. COVID-19 is a threat to human existence. Hon. Tangoba Abayage wants to tell each and everyone that prevention is better than cure. Take good care of your lives”.
The team educating market women on how to properly wash hands