Source: The Custodian GH
His Royal Majesty, Ndan Ya Naa Abukari Mahama II has directed with immediate effect, the suspension of all social gatherings in the Dagbon traditional kingdom in the northern region. In a statement issued by the Gbewa Palace on Wednesday, 18 March 2020, the Dagbon King stated the decision was imperative after consultations with the Dagbon Traditional Council and other key stakeholders such as the clergy. This directive affects the performance of some ongoing funerals in the area and Friday’s Muslim congregations across the various mosques in the region.
The Ya Naa commended President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo for demonstrating leadership in this trying time as Ghana records some cases of the viral disease. He noted the strengthening of health communication and information systems and the contribution of the nation’s media, led by a strong political will, have all helped to realize the national objective of and informed population.
However, the Dagbon Overlord urged the people of Dagbon and Ghanaians as a whole to support the government and adhere to the relevant safety mechanisms announced to control the rate of infection of the COVID-19 in the country.
“The responsibility of ensuring a controlled COVID-19 infection rate is the duty of all Ghanaians and people living in the country. While Social Media has lots of information, Ghanaians should seek information on COVID-19 from authorized and trusted sources only” the statement added.
“The experience of South Korea where religious congregational activity was a key factor in the Asian country’s loss of control of the COVID-19 infection rates should be instructive to us. This is not the time to invoke Constitutional rights as we are not in normal times” it the communiqué emphasized.
Ghana has so far recorded seven confirmed cases of the deadly virus and about 350 contact persons are being traced in the country.