Ghana’s Deputy Trade Minister Carlos Ahenkorah who tested positive for the coronavirus but still went ahead to deliberately socialize has resigned.
The minister who is also a member of parliament admitted visiting a centre for the ongoing voters’ registration exercise with the virus.
Mr. Ahenkorah said he was aware of his status but couldn’t isolate at the time in order not to create panic among his constituents.
He was subsequently isolated at Ghana’s premier health facility together with the campaign coordinator of the ruling party and the CEO of the Forestry Commission who later died on Wednesday.
Despite criticisms the lawmaker has defended his presence in public.
He told local media that “I decided to see how some of the centres were just operating. So, I stepped out into town a bit. It didn’t mean I couldn’t go out.”
“My test results had shown I was positive a week ago and after one week, my doctors said I could step out. Except that I needed to wear my mask and observe social distancing,” the lawmaker said.
Mr. Ahenkorah said he is asymptomatic and cannot merely infect others.
But he has now been forced to resign by the presidency of Ghana with a statement indicating that the president has accepted his resignation.
There was a huge public outrage in Ghana over the decision of a minister with coronavirus to still mingle with people.
Ghanaians are angry
But his action and subsequent defense have not gone down with many Ghanaians who have taken to social media to condemn him demand that he is sanctioned.
In a functional society, four things would have happened by now: 1. He gets fired 2. His nomination withdrawn 3. Criminal charges follow & 4. He makes a statement apologising to all. But, I’ll NOT be surprised if he walks away from this smiling like the cat who got the CREAM ?!
— Richard Sky (Snr.) (@RichardDelaSky) July 3, 2020
To be clear, the Deputy Trade Minister shouldn’t be stigmatized because of his #COVID19 status.
But he should be treated with the same disdain that he showed for the lives of others.
Normalize shaming the dis-Honorables because onyin nkyerÉ› nyansa.
— Nana Kofi Quakyi, MPH (@nkquakyi) July 3, 2020
Hon Carlos Ahenkorah at his victory dance. Inviting COVID-19. No mask, no protocols. GOD have mercy on us all ??#GhanaianLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/5FA93Ri522
— PRINCE HENRY KOFORIDUA ?? (@tabi_henry) July 2, 2020
Hello @NAkufoAddo one of your deputy ministers – Carlos Ahenkorah who has tested positive for the virus went to a registration centre, ignoring isolation protocols. He has passed on the disease! Is this what you want? I guess not! Kindly FIRE him for this is unacceptable.
— mutombo? (@MutomboDaPoet) July 2, 2020
I’m waiting for KON to come and say “Carlos Ahenkorah’s position is not the position of government”
— ? (@Bridget_Otoo) July 2, 2020
This Carlos Ahenkorah thing is so messed up. Holy moly. The sort of thing that crushes your faith in leadership.
— Michael Oti Adjei (@OtiAdjei) July 3, 2020
Carlos Ahenkorah don’t deserve to be in parliament. On God
— Content Nyame (@kwadwosheldon) July 2, 2020
Source: Africafeeds.com
