Covid-19: Arrest MPs refusing to self-isolate – NCCE boss

The Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Josephine Nkrumah, is calling for the arrest of Members of Parliament(MP) who tested positive for the deadly coronavirus but refuse to self-isolate.

“Personally, I can’t believe that somebody has Covid-19 and is still walking around. How do you convince your constituents that this is real? I think honestly, they must be brought to book. None of us is above the law.

“The Speaker of Parliament should call them to order and insist that they self-isolate. They shouldn’t be allowed into the chamber. And if they insist, the security agencies should pick them”.

Her call comes on the back of revelation by the Majority leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, that some MPs, staff, and journalists who had tested positive for the virus were still reporting to work in defiance of the safety protocols, which required them to self-isolate.

Coronavirus: ‘Stop coming to parliament’ – Majority leader begs infected MPs, staff

The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Ocquaye, has consequently ordered another round of mandatory Covid-19 testing for those who could not be captured by the first 2 exercises.

The NCCE boss, in an interview with Starr FM, said it was irresponsible for legislators with the virus to continue to endanger the lives of others.

“I think it is damn right preposterous and irresponsible. I think people should be made to answer for why they are endangering other lives. I don’t understand why some of the MPs have chosen to lament about it. It is almost nonsensical to think that this is going on.” she said.

Ghanaian culture does not encourage coronavirus status disclosure – Majority leader

Parliament had earlier publicly denied reports that two MP and 13 parliamentary staff had been infected with the virus.

It also refused to reveal the identities of the infected person after the Minority Chief whip, Muntaka Mohammed, confirmed the news, fearing the stigma and politicization of the pandemic.

The only politicians publicly known to have been infected with the virus are Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK, Papa Owusu Ankomah, and Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman Manu.

Mayor of Sekondi-Takoradi, Anthony Kobina Kurentsi Sam, died of Covid-19 few weeks after his driver tested positive for it.