The Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh known by many as Napo has called for an end to the stigmatization of people who have recovered from Covid-19.
In a Facebook post featuring images of some of his staff who contracted the disease and have since recovered, the Minister called for a fight not only against the disease, but the negative stereotypes around it.
He said “Those who survive it have a story to tell, and it is not a pretty one. We must not make it worse for them by stigmatizing and then ostracizing them”, he declared.
Spotted in different kinds of customized polo shirts, each attire had the inscription “I have been attacked by COVID-19. I have survived it and fully recovered”
Dr. Prempeh furthered expressed his pride saying, “Thank God we beat it. Today, we say No to Stigmatization”
It will be recalled that in recent times, Dr. Prempeh in his numerous interviews spoke extensively on his experiences whilst on admission in hospital for the disease, describing it as something he would never wish on his worst enemy.
He also emphasized the importance of abiding by the hygiene and social distancing protocols, stressing that he did abide by them religiously and yet caught it.
It is expected that given his significant public profile, the bold decision of the Minister to stand up publicly to fight stigmatization along with his team will further bolster the efforts of the government even further.
In an interview with the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Kwasi Obeng-Fosu who was also captured in the photos as having been attacked and recovered, he confirmed that the Education Minister is leading a campaign against stigmatizing people who have been infected with the novel corona disease.
He extended his call to mates, friends and family of the SHS students who have also recovered from the disease to extend some affection towards them.
He cautioned against the publication of their pictures on social media and other channels.
Below are pictures:
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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