As part of efforts to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the Sunyani Municipality in the Bono Region, the Sunyani Municipal COVID-19 Taskforce is to be resuscitated.
The Taskforce would strengthen enforcement and ensure the people strictly observe hand-washing with soap under running water and social distancing in public places.
The Bono Regional Minister, Madam Justina Owusu Banahene, instituted the Taskforce in 2020 to control the spread of the disease, when she was the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive.
The 52-member taskforce comprised personnel of the security services, the media and representative of the Sunyani Traditional Council.
However, operations of the task force were halted due to certain challenges, including a lack of funds to support its activities.
Speaking at a get-together organised for members of the Taskforce at the Residency in Sunyani, Madam Owusu-Banahene touched on the urgent need to get it back in action, and subsequently, gave the directive for its reintroduction.
“People’s disregard for government restrictions and health safety protocols put in place to flatten the COVID-19 curve has necessitated the need to revive the taskforce,” she said.
The Regional Minister commended the members of the taskforce for their sacrificial services, saying the Municipality did not record any COVID-19 deaths when the pandemic was first reported in the country.
“But now, the Sunyani Regional and Sunyani Municipal Hospital mortuaries are full due to COVID-19 deaths and we must revive our operations for people to comply with the health safety protocols,” she added.
Madam Owusu-Banahene asked the people to comply with all the safety protocols, saying the taskforce would intensify patrols and deal harshly with those who disregard the protocols.
COVID-19 VACCINES
Madam Owusu-Banahene said the Regional Health Directorate had received enough COVID-19 vaccines, and asked those who had not been vaccinated to take the opportunity, visit nearest health facilities, and take the vaccine to protect themselves and people around them from contracting the disease.
The taskforce would patrol public places such as lorry stations, churches, and markets to ensure everybody complied with the protocols and restrictions.
