Member of Parliament(MP) for Builsa South constituency in the Upper East region Dr Clement Apaak has said testing Members of Parliament for COVID-19 will demonstrate leadership by example and bolster constituents’ confidence in the fight against the virus.
The Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye on Tuesday directed that all Members of Parliament, including parliamentary staff, must mandatorily get tested for Coronavirus.
According to the Speaker, the directive forms part of measures instituted by the Parliamentary Service Board to prevent an outbreak of the pandemic in the legislature.
Reacting to the directive on the PM show on Bolgatanga based Yem Radio, Dr Clement Apaak who had prior to the directive proposed a mandatory test for all Members of Parliament said though the directive has come a bit late, it is important that the initiative is taken.
“Between when I made that call and today is well over 30 days. If you do the calculation within that time to see the number of cases that were reported and many others that are being reported, it is entirely possible that our action in leading the charge by example would have had a possible impact in terms of the situation that we find ourselves in but better late than never. I think it is so proper that we get ourselves tested,” he said.
Dr. Apaak added that the exercise will significantly add value and confidence in the fight against the virus and stigmatisation as lawmakers lead the efforts in practically educating their constituents.
He noted that the growing stigma around persons who have contracted the disease and recovered will reduce if some MP’s who may have contracted the virus get treated.
“I believe that that will help itself to reduce the level of stigma that is assigned to getting tested and possibly coming out positive and recovering,” he stated.
