Naagyei 90.3 Fm Agyapa
President Nana Akufo-Addo has rubbished the claim that taking a jab of the COVID-19 vaccine can cause one to change his or her political preferences.
The President’s comment follows reports of low turnout for Covid-19 vaccination in the Upper Manya Krobo District due to some misconceptions growing among the populace.
The Health Directorate estimated to vaccinate about fifty thousand, one hundred and four (50,104) people in the district by the end of this year, however, only 282 have fully been vaccinated since the inception of the vaccination exercise.
About 820 persons who took the first jab are however hesitating to take the second dose.
According to the District Health Director, Esther Dua Oyinka, some of the reasons noted for the high hesitation in the district which is a stronghold of the opposition NDC party include the fact that there is misinformation that the ruling New Patriotic Party government wants to use the vaccine to change the minds of electorates in the district to vote for the NPP in 2024 and subsequent elections.
“…Even some are saying it is the government that has put in certain things to make up for the vaccine to vaccinate them so that it will change their minds from voting for any other party except the ruling party” She lamented.
But in his Update No. 27 on measures taken against COVID-19 on Wednesday night, President Akufo-Addo stressed that the vaccines are safe, not harmful, and will protect families from the dreaded disease.
“Contrary to the mischief being peddled by some, getting vaccinated will not cause you to vote for the NPP in the 2024 elections if you do not want to. This is an outrageous claim. Vaccination cannot change your political preferences. That is not its purpose,” the President added.
President Akufo-Addo disclosed that as of Tuesday 14th December 2021, the Ghana Health Service has taken delivery of 17,736, 710 vaccine doses, adding that the country is expecting an additional 8,529,090 doses by the end of the year.
“We have enough vaccines in the system, so my fellow Ghanaians I encourage each and every one of you to take advantage of this and get vaccinated.”
