Actress Lydia Forson is advocating a comprehensive local language approach in educating the public on coronavirus (Covid-19).
This, she believes, is the surest way of curbing the high level of indiscipline and disregard for directives and measures put in place to halt the spread of the deadly pandemic.
Lydia Forson’s call follows a video that surfaced online Sunday of some residents of Chorkor, a suburb of Accra, defying President Nana Akufo-Addo’s directive to stay at home.
Currently, there is a ban on public gatherings. Some parts of the country –Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Kumasi – are currently under lockdown as the Covid-19 numbers surge across Ghana.
Reacting to the ‘Chorkor beach video’, which has stunned Ghanaians, the actress noted that the usage of the English language in educating the public is not working.
“I’ve said this repeatedly, people aren’t taking this seriously because we’ve not given them enough to make them see the severity of this,” Lydia Forson said in a post on Instagram.
She urged the government to use the chiefs, pastors and opinion leaders to communicate information to such people.
“We need to reach an educate people in a language they understand, use their chiefs, pastors and everyone they may listen to. There’s a reason why we’re able to put a ban on noise making and they obey, or a curfew when a traditional leader dies. Communicate with them in a language they understand!” the actress urged.
Lydia Forson added: “The abrofos3m [use of English] is clearly not working- those that matter aren’t necessarily on social media or watch the news. Even in the various languages it has to be strong so they get it.”
“Also how did these people get there without being stopped by security officials?” the actress also quizzed.
