Covid-19: Stop The Skepticism, Get Vaccinated – Akufo-Addo Urges Ghanaians
President Akufo-Addo has made a clarion call on all persons who are yet to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus to stop entertaining any form of skepticism about the jab and get vaccinated.
Addressing participants at the 73rd Annual New Year School of the University of Ghana at the Great Hall, Legon under the theme; ‘COVID-19 and Socio-economic Dynamics in Ghana’, President Akufo-Addo said whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has well and truly impacted the Ghanaian economy negatively, his administration has a well-thought-out plan to salvage the situation and part of the plan is ensuring that all eligible Ghanaians get vaccinated.
“I want to urge all Ghanaians to get vaccinated and help end the spread of the virus in our country. The science tells us that getting vaccinated is the most efficient way to defeat the virus and go back to our normal way of life, reopen fully our economy and return our nation unto the path of progress and prosperity,” President Akufo-Addo said.
“And for the skeptics, they should take note of the data that says that 80% of those who are currently infected are those who have not been vaccinated. That is enough to tell us about the value of vaccination,” the President added.
*Available vaccines*
According to President Akufo-Addo, government has so far secured some 26 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines with some more on the way.
“Thus far, a total of 10,451,662 vaccines doses have been administered. 7,070,719 persons have received at least one jab with 3,380,949 persons fully vaccinated”.
“So I entreat all those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so. Our responsibility to one another requires that we be vaccinated,” President Akufo-Addo emphasized.
*Key speakers*
The keynote address of the 73rd Annual New Year School was delivered by two guests; first, Dr Juliette M. Tuakli, Medical Director and CEO of CHILDAccra Medical Group and Ghana Chair of the board of trustees of United Way Worldwide, and second, Mr Pierre Frank Laporte, the Africa Country Director of World Bank.
*Panel Discussions*
As part of the school, there will be three panel discussions. The first will discuss emerging technologies and innovations in healthcare delivery during pandemics and the second panel will consider the topic, ‘COVID-19 and global peace and security’.
The last panel will take a look at the topic ‘The Socio-economic Impact of COVID-19 on Ghana’s Economy: Challenges and Prospects.’
Wilberforce Asare