Several groups, organizations and students have made several pleas with the government to find immediate solution to the trapped Ghanaians in China as a result of the of the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus.
Unfortunately, the plea has not touched the heart of people in authority yet. The virus has already claimed over 1,500 lives and its rate of infecting others keep escalating.
On 12th February, 2020, one of the trapped students in Ghana made a very urgent request pleading with the government to either evacuate or relocate the students from the “virus zone” Wuhan province. But the government insists it is not possible to evacuate them.
Democratic Forum has cited a video on avalanche.com which suggests that infected victims are being shot dead by a group of armed men. This is worrying a requires a frank probe by all international organizations and human right institutions. One would have also expected the Government of Ghana to act swiftly to protect and ensure the safety of all Ghanaians in China, but unfortunately that is not the case.
Democratic Forum would want to send a caution to the Government of Ghana that they will be held liable for a single Ghanaian life lost in China.
As an institution, we would once again want to state it clear without any fear of contradiction that we would no longer accept the loud silence of the government over this current development. Several institutions including Democratic Forum have made available possible alternative measures of tackling the issue but to no avail.
Democratic Forum would want to call on the government of Ghana to within 72hr ultimatum constitute a stakeholder forum to brainstorm and find an urgent solution. As we have indicated in our earlier press statements, we outlined several options that could help save our citizens in China and we are willing to be part of the rescue journey for our citizens.
We would equally want to use this medium to call on the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and other International Human Rights Organizations to investigate the matter on the alleged shooting of the victims and ensure that human lives are protected.
Thank you.
Tetteh Djem Bismark
0245799748 / 0553094002
Director of Communication/Media Affairs
Democratic Forum.
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