The Ghana Bar Association is asking the government to consider reducing the legal sanctions meted out to persons who breach the COVID 19 Protocols.
The Association is of the view that more education and compliance with the COVID 19 protocols will help in effectively containing the virus rather meting out severe punishment to defaulters of the laws.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has earlier signed a law (E.I164) that criminalizes the act of not wearing a face mask that fully covers the mouth and nose in public places.
The law stipulates that persons who flout this will be fined a minimum of 12000 cedis or a maximum of 60000 cedis. As well, such an individual can receive a minimum prison sentence of four years and a maximum of 10 years in prison.
Since its implementation, some persons have fallen victim and faced prosecution while several others continue to defy the protocols.
Speaking on Okay FM, General Secretary of the Ghana Bar Association, Yaw Boafo says it is more important to sensitise people on the need to adhere to the protocols because largely, the sanctions have not been successful in containing the virus.
He explained since the laws were enacted, the cases keep increasing daily while persons keep flouting the laws.
“How many Ghanaians in the middle class even earn 12,000 to pay a fine of 10,000 cedis? However, that does not mean the government should relent in its efforts but we are appealing to the government to consider the sanctions because nothing has been done about it and the cases are still increasing. Observing the protocols is better than sending people to prison”, he said.
That notwithstanding, he said it is in the association’s interest that citizens comply with all laws and precautionary measures that have been put in place.
The Association in a recent release called on all recognized professional bodies, associations and the media to be ambassadors in a sustained effort to complement all efforts made so far to ensure public health, safety and protection.”
Source: Victoria Adonu/ATLFMNEWS
