Sam George raises alarm over re-launch of COVID-19 tracker App
The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, has questioned the rationale behind government’s relaunch of the COVID-19 tracker App.
According to him, the App, which was first launched on April 13, 2020, to help boost the government’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic had been dysfunctional.
The member of Parliament’s Communications Committee argued the App had failed to serve its intended purpose; hence there was no need for a re-launch.
On Wednesday, September 2, 2020, the government re-launched the application months after it was first launched in Ghana.
Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia first launched the App early this year as part of measures to help fight the novel coronavirus disease.
Government has justified the re-launch of the App stating that it is an updated version to enhance efficiency, an explanation Sam George has flatly rejected.
“Is there any testimony from the Ministry of Health and its contact tracing team about the App helping to detect contacts of positive patients? No, there is no record of any such thing happening with the App.
“That is why I am saying that technology exists that will help with contact tracing, but the Ministry has not shown that it has deployed that level of technology. That is the point we are making, and so PR gimmicks, razzmatazz, and glitz of an app launch when the functionality of the App itself has not worked is not necessary,” Sam George said in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM.
The Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said the re-launh had become necessary following the reopening of the Kotoka International Airport as well as the eased COVID-19 restrictions.
“We are here once again to re-launch an upgraded version of the COVID-19symptom tracker, in view of the President’s easing of restrictions on movement and the opening up of the airports to travellers. Our strategy of using a multi-staged COVID-19 recovery plan based on science and data requires the deployment and use of digital technology and innovation to restore every sector of the Ghanaian economy to normalcy.”
The minister said the updated tracker App would enable healthcare staff to contact COVID-19 patients and track suspected cases, as well as identify COVID-19 hotpots.
“Under this re-launch platform, healthcare staff will be able to contact patients and track the movements of COVID-19 live cases. The new platform can also alert users on moving out of allowed areas, report case breaches to authorities and push notifications to bulk users amongst others,” she added.
She further indicated that the COVID-19 tracker app forms part of measures to leverage technology to fight the spread of the disease.
She added that the new platform is accessible to everyone and not only smartphone users.