The Coastal Development Authority (CoDA) has presented 70,000 nose masks and boxes of hand sanitizers to the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) to support efforts to fight coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.
The Chief Executive Officer of (CoDA), Mr. Jerry Ahmed Shaib, speaking at the brief presentation ceremony, disclosed that the donation was to enable all residents within the coastal zone adhere to the wearing of nose masks directives and practice personal hygiene protocols to stop the spread of the disease. He also added that the items would be distributed among the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly (MMDAs) in the region to be given out to residents who stood the greatest risk of being affected by the virtue of their occupation. Primarily, the beneficiaries, he noted, would include commercial drivers, traders and market women and fisher folks who would also be sensitized on the magnitude of the crisis facing the country and world at large and the need for announced measures to be observed.
Hon. Ismael Ashitey, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, expressed gratitude to the Authority for the donation and said it would complement efforts to enforce the No Mask, No Entry directive issued by the Regional Security Council to compel residents to wear nose masks to nib the disease in the bud. He also said that although it was mandatory for people to wear nose masks, He acknowledge that not everyone had the means to acquire one, adding that such donation would ensure that all groups of people will be protected from the virus. The Minister finally entreated beneficiaries to adhere to the procedures for wearing and removing of the mask to ensure their safety from the deadly virus.
President of the Greater Accra Market Association, Mercy Naa Afrowa Nee Djan, who also spoke at the ceremony, disclosed that the leadership has educated the market women on the protocols and ensured social distancing is practiced effectively. She then cautioned buyers not to touch goods and items displayed for sale but rather point to avoid contamination.