Security expert, and Executive Director for Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building, Adib Saani has called for the strict enforcement of the laws on citizens who will fail to adhere to measures to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
His comment is in relation to the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, instructing the Inspector General of Police to direct officers of the Police Service to ensure the rigorous enforcement of the laws on mask wearing at all public places and in public transports.
Mr. Saani intimated that the security personnel, had since last year, already been given the power to punish citizen who fail to adhere to COVID-19 protocols.
“As a matter of fact, the police service had the authorization since last year as certain laws were put in place to check the spread of the virus.”
Touching on the current surge in the cases and the total disregard of protocols as announced by the President on Sunday, Mr. Saani stated that, the disregard for the protocols emanated from the voter’s registration exercise and other election-related activities in the country.
“When it started, the information was well managed. We were all worried; we were all careful and very crucial of disregarding the protocols until the political season came in.”
Mr. Saani further stated that, he is hoping the officers will ensure there is strict compliance to the measures adding that, there should be strict punishment, meted out to faulters of the protocols especially those who are not first-time offenders.
“Enforce the law, make examples of some one, two, three people, let it put there for everyone to see.”
Additionally, he urged Ghanaians to not let their guard down like previously and ensure we comply to all protocols.
Touching on challenges with regards to ensuring the protocols are adhered to, he averred that, there must be strategic measures employed by the security personnel to ensure the effectiveness of the laws.
He suggested the location of target areas, which is mostly densely populated, where some people who fail to adhere to the measures will be arrested in order to send a clear message out.
“It will have people become conscious of the fact that, this is that serious after all.”
Additionally, he suggested the mounting of vantage points by security personnel especially at traffic intersections to ensure that, vehicle drivers especially, are adhering to the protocols as well as passengers in the vehicles.
“We have to get as many people as possible punished, so, it will serve as a deterrent to other Ghanaians who are perhaps tempted to feel that, this is just not as serious as it is.”
The President on Sunday, during his 22nd update on the measures taken against the spread of COVID-19, alerted the nation of the alarming rate of the spread of the virus and also employed citizens to adhere to protocols.
He most importantly instructed the Inspector General of Police, IGP, James Oppong Bonuah to direct officers of the Police Service to ensure the rigorous enforcement of the law on mask wearing at all public places and in public transport.
He also instructed that, they are also to ensure the closure of all night clubs, pubs, cinemas and beaches that may be operating in defiance of the law.
