Ghanaian culture does not encourage coronavirus status disclosure – Majority leader
The Majority leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensa-Bonsu, has rejected calls for the disclosure of the identities of MPs who reportedly tested positive for coronavirus.
The Suame MP said Ghanaian culture does not encourage the public disclosure of diseases.
Parliament has said it cannot confirm or deny media reports that two MPs and 15 staff have tested positive for the dreaded disease.
Initially, it even dismissed the report until a the Minority Chief Whip, Mubarak Muntaka Mohammed came out to say the reports were true.
‘Parliament lied’ – Muntaka confirms 2 MPs tested positive for coronavirus
In an interview on JoyNews’ PM express, monitored by theghanareport.com, the Majority leader urged Ghanaians to respect the confidentiality of a person’s medical history.
“Medical history is medical history. Absolutely nobody has the right to expose your background,” Kyei Mensa-Bonsu said.
In the case of coronavirus, the stigma associated with it means public disclosure of a politician’s status only worsens his conditions, he indicated.
“We must hedge ourselves against stigmatisation” he said, pointing out that full disclosure could be fatal for an MP.
The Majority leader also expressed fears, information on an MP’s medical history could be politicised.
The Suame MP said Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK, Papa Owusu Ankomah, who tested positive for coronavirus should not be used as a standard in demanding disclosure.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah in “stable condition” after coronavirus infection
Despite being a Ghanaian, Papa Owusu Ankomah disclosed his status outside the shores of Ghana and in the UK.
He suggested the High Commissioner because he lives in the UK would not suffer the implications of a politician living in Ghana. Papa Owusu Ankomah has since recovered.
“If he were here in Ghana the circumstances would have been different,” the NPP leader said.
In the end, full disclosure depends on the individual, he said.