Vaccination for Masquerade Groups In Sekondi Takoradi commenced yesterday ahead of the Christmas Festive season to increase the number of vaccinated populace to improve public safety.
According to the Deputy Western Regional Director of Health, Dr. Gifty Amugi, the move has become significant due to the low participation of the general public in the vaccination excercise since it commenced.
The current Western Regional statistics on COVID-19 vaccination indicates that over 1.4 million people are expected to be vaccinated but 5.8% have had two jabs whilst 14% have had one shot of the vaccine. This, she said does not offer protection for the masses and called on individuals to get vaccinated.
Two major centers have been set up for members of the various Ankos groups in the Metropolis to participate in the excercise to improve public safety. The centers include the Takoradi Library and Sekondi Youth Center as well as other health centers.
The exercise is a collaboration between the Ghana Health Service, Media and John Snow Incoporated(JSI) to enforce the vaccination of persons between the ages of 18 years and above with the exception of pregnant women.
Madam Kumi, in an interview on Adzekye Mu Nsem on Spice 91. 9Fm, said that it is important for everyone to get vaccinated against the deadly virus as we get into Christmas. There are lots of activities which are held during the Christmas season thus the need to get protected from getting infected with the virus.
Touching on the outbreak of yellow fever in some parts of the country, Dr.Gifty Kumi noted that there has been no record of the fever in the region, she therefore went ahead to advise people to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of the disease.
Christmas season in the metropolis is full of activities like the Masquerade Festival also known as the Takoradi Street Carnival celebrated annually by the people in Takoradi.
The festival attracts dozens of groups of people who dress in wild outfits and display their dancing skills and arts.
Christmas celebrations in Sekondi –Takoradi has always been the talk of town most especially with the display and marching of masquerade on the principal streets in the metropolis. “Ankos”, as known in the local parlance.
