Bishops in Ghana Concerned about “high level of disregard of COVID-19 protocols” in Public

Even as the Bishops encourage eligible Ghanaians "make the necessary effort to take part in the voters registration exercise," the members of GCBC urge all citizens to "take the personal responsibility to ensure that they observe all the necessary health protocols, especially those of social distancing and the wearing of face masks, during the registration exercise and at all social and public gatherings."

Bishop Joseph Osei-Bonsu of Ghana’s Konongo-Mampong Diocese recently issued a set of guidelines to be observed if church facilities within his jurisdiction are used in the exercise.

On Tuesday, June 30, Ghana Electoral Commission (GEC) kicked off the voter registration exercise targeting between 16 million and 16.5 million voters. The exercise that will end on August 6.

In a directive issued Monday, July 6, the leadership of GEC address the issue of overcrowding at some Registration Centers and recommend a way forward to the Queue Management System at its registration centers.

“The first 150 applicants who arrive at the Registration Centers will be provided with numbered chits. The first half of this number will be served from morning to early afternoon,” GEC leadership says.

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“The second half will be asked to leave the Centers and return in the afternoon when the registration process for the first batch has been completed. They will then be served,” reads the GEC directive. 

In the statement signed by GCBC President, Archbishop Philip Naameh, the Bishops hailed the Queue Management System and appealed to the Government “to assist the Electoral Commission with more Security Personnel who can ensure strict adherence to the protocols, especially social distancing and the wearing of face masks, at the various Registration Centres.”

They further appeal, "While we focus our concerns on national events that attract crowds of people, we also appeal to all to accept the reality of COVID-19 and thus modify their behaviours to conform to the safety guidelines." 

"It is our hope and prayer that the concerns raised here will be addressed immediately to prevent any escalation in our COVID-19 cases," GBBC Members conclude.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.