The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr. Henry Quartey has intimated that, the active involvement of the various security agencies in ensuring the safety at the various beaches is in the right direction.
This comment comes on the back of the directive given to MMDAs to work closely with security agencies to ensure that the beaches close for the Easter festivities.
Mr Quartey further explained that, although the COVID-19 outbreak is a health issue, it is also a national security concern and that is why the security agencies are also on board to ensure compliance.
“Their mandate is to protect lives and properties and so, by protecting lives and properties, it also involves health because security and health issues intertwine.”
Henry Quartey
Explaining the reason for his directive to the MMDAs, he noted that this was to continue with the President’s directive;for people to stay off the various beaches as part of COVID-19 protective measures.
“So, yesterday I issued a press release and the press release is very simple. We have heard the President continuously in his address that people should stay off the beaches as one of the ways of stopping the spread of COVID-19. But people have refused to heed to the directive.
“So, myself as a regional minister and the regional coordinating council are in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior;and the Ghana Police Council are going on a joint operation. I have given a directive that all the beaches from Ada to between the boundary of Accra;and the Central Region, we will ensure zero tolerance and the police will be deployed heavily in those areas. If we find anybody there we will deal with the person.”
Henry Quartey
Make Accra Work Project
Also, he revealed that he was coming up with a project dubbed “Make Accra Work”, a project which will seek to look at a holistic approach to issues in Greater Accra Region.
“As a regional minister to a region that is more cosmopolitan compared to other regions. You will agree with me that, the task is very tough because we have a lot of urban areas.
“Now we have some challenges in the region mainly with security, health issues, education and many others. But as you know, this exercise involves lots of security and as such, we have to put together;all the strategic policies involved to ensure it works so it does not become a nine-day wonder.”
Henry Quartey
Further speaking on the role of local government in ensuring that these safety measures are adhered to, he averred that, all metropolitan, municipal and district heads have the responsibility to ensure the effectiveness of the exercise.
“The MMDCEs have role here and their role is to manage districts in their respective assemblies to ensure compliance. They are the President’s representatives in their assembly.
“There is the need to educate the people more. And this what I have tasked the MMDAs to do to educate the people that we are going to ensure strict compliance of COVID-19 protocols.”
Henry Quartey
Moreover, he said the MMDCEs will also have to liaise with the security agencies who will be deployed to make the exercise effective.
Further touching on how to execute plans in relations to the management of the region,;he revealed that he is in talks with various stakeholders and civil society organisations. This, he said, is to get their expertise and support to effectively implement these projects.
