The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) is demanding that the law enforcement agencies investigate and deal with the organizers of the funeral of former Forestry Commission boss, Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie aka Sir John.

Dr Frank Ankobea, the Association’s president in a press statement Monday, said Inspector General of Police, James Oppong-Boanuh, holding the legs of organizers of the funeral and any such event to the fire will “serve as a deterrent to others who intend to endanger the public health of our nation.”

The Association registered its disappointment with the total disregard for Covid-19 protocols during the funeral rites which was characterized by mass gathering of people including President Nana Akufo-Addo and his Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

“This mass gathering of people with complete disregard for physical distancing and limited use of face masks occurred in the wake of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to some Africa countries to prepares for the what appears to be a new surge in Covid-19 cases in Africa.

“The GMA was, therefore, shocked to observe that a nation like ours struggling to vaccinate its population will permit such a potential super spreader event to take place and be attended by top government functionaries including the President and his Vice President,” it said.

The Association further reminded the country of the memories of the catastrophic consequences of the surge in Covid-19 cases in January to February this year in which many people lost their lives, and put the country’s health system under a lot of pressure.

“We should not forget that the surge was occasioned by similar mass gathering associated with the political activities and Christmas festivities in November and December 2020.

“The GMA condemns such activities that violate our protocols and has the tendency to reverse all the gains made in the fight against Covid-19,” Dr Ankobea said in the statement.

The Association encouraged the general public to continue to abide by all the Covid-19 protocols and refrain from such mass gathering and activities that endangers the country’s collective survival.

“The GMA wishes to reiterate that Covid-19 is still real and a present threat to our country and calls on all to adhere to the preventive protocols for the safety of all.”