Corona life TV series goes live

The Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) Sanitation and Water Project with funding from the World Bank and support from the Sanitation and Water Resources Ministry in partnership with InGenius Africa and Graphic Communication Group have launched a Television series dubbed corona life aimed at creating an attitudinal change among the populace, in an effort to curb the surge in Covid-19 cases.

The series which aims at attitudinal change which would be on the television, radio and social media would also sensitize the public on improved sanitation, good hygiene and observing the recommended Ghana Health Service protocols on COVID-19.

The educational series is also designed to attract the needed attention of the masses purposely in the local Ghanaian languages with known actors and actress Micky Osei Berko and Gloria Sarfo.

Corona life involves strict adherence to recommended norms on improved hygiene and protocols on Covid-19. How to enforce and punish transgressors of the basic protocols; regular hand washing with soap under running water, regular use of hand sanitizers, consciously practicing physical distance, avoiding crowded places, promptly reporting for support when one experiences any of Covid-19 symptoms (headache, coughing, frequent sneezing, increase in body temperature, loss of smell and taste) maintaining appropriately isolating/quarantine when infected or exposed.

Explaining the rational behind Corona Life series, the Project Coordinator of the GAMA Sanitation and Water Project, George Asiedu said, one of the effective means of communications is the use of music, dance and drama/theatre. These combine the verbal, non-verbal, use of body language, gesture, and facial expression to convey messages to influence behavior change.

Asiedu however bemoaned the lack of attitudinal change that is needed to reduce the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic despite the various efforts the nation has had to embark on to reduce the spread of infection, the attitudes of the citizens remain almost unchanged.

Today, we launch an educational  series on TV/Radio and Social Media dubbed ‘Corona Life’ to sensitize the Ghanaian public on improved sanitation, good hygiene and observing the  recommended protocols on covid-19  to effect willful behavior/attitudinal change” he stated.

The President as part of measures to control the spread of the virus, announced the closure of the country’s borders, imposed a partial lockdown of some major cities, supplied of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), enhanced contact tracing of people who have had contact with infected ones, and the mass testing, coupled with the setting up of isolation centres. The President also ensured the supply of essential drugs to support the treatment of infected persons and the implementation of social interventions and support services.

According to Ing. Asiedu, there is a close link between the spread of the virus pandemic and sanitation which are both public health issues.

To that end, GAMA since 2014 with the support of the World Bank increased  access to improved sanitation and water supply targeting mainly the vulnerable and the low-income people in Greater Accra, which has increased sanitation and hygiene among the recipient communities.

The GAMA project, he said has improved behavior change on good hygiene improved sanitation and  safe water to over 400,00 in GAMA and supported 225,000 low income beneficiaries with access to over 30,000 improved household toilets facilities.

In as much as Ghana’s situation appeared much better compared to the global spread of Covid-19, Ghana’s infection rate is (0.8) percent compared to (0.16) percent across the world, recovery rate of 84 percent compare to 55.2 percent worldwide and death rate of 0.6 percent compared to 3.9 percent.

The Project, through GWCL has also given 368,000 low income beneficiaries access to water supply through 10,040 new household water connections. The project has also improved the educational lives of some 232,000 school pupils in 243 schools in GAMA through the provision of fit for purpose, disability friendly and gender sensitive school sanitation facilities, with adequate water supply and hand washing facilities.