By: Esmond Wedam Nonterah, BSc

I live in Navrongo in the Upper East Region, approximately 814 km from Ghana’s capital, Accra. I am a postgraduate student studying Population Studies at the Regional Institute of Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra and a trained youth advocate under the Youth Leaders for Health Program.

Youth Leaders for Health is a joint program by WACI Health, RESULTS UK, Health Promotion Tanzania-HDT, Hope for Future Generation and CISMAT- Sierra Leone with support from Comic Relief, UK.

I never imagined that in my lifetime, there would be a pandemic that would rock the world forcing us all to stay home.

Past

 I am told that I was born a happy child, always smiling, particularly when I was thrown up into the air and touching people with my little hands. As I grew, this did not change: having people close made me happy. Now we have to social distance…

 

In this town, people believe in the spirits having close ties with the people…is that changing too? Is COVID-19 having such a spiritual impact?

 

I lived through the Ebola scare which swept through Africa but fortunately didn’t enter Ghana. This pandemic feels different.

 

Present – First 8 Weeks of Hearing about COVID-19

 

Everything has changed. Every conversation is centered on COVID-19. Ghana had its first case of COVID-19 on March 13th 2020.

 

Market women practice social distancing, unheard of prior to COVID-19. The gates of all schools have closed, children play gleefully in the house but under the very watchful eyes of their parents and people are afraid to touch each other. The borders, drinking spots and public places remain closed apart from a few bars that open nevertheless.  Articles and documentaries on similar pandemics look like movies, except they are actually a reflection of today’s reality.

 

My health advocacy work

As I advocate each day, I do this with a little bit of fear mixed with greater portions of courage. Whenever you watch the news, you hear so much about COVID-19 myths, which have now been debunked. These uncertainties drive us to paranoia.

Some in my community, through ignorance, believe that drinking alcohol can prevent infections from COVID-19 so some drinking bars in Navrongo open up to customers. In these pubs, social distancing has been thrown to the dogs and misinformation thrives.

In my work as a health advocate, I have decided that my messaging within the community will combine the subjects of malaria and COVID-19. I was invited to speak on Radio FAS in Navrongo where I talked on preventive measures for both COVID-19 and malaria. It was a great experience as it gave me the opportunity to do what I love: “advocacy”.

I believe that mortality numbers for malaria is still higher than that of COVID-19. In order to have coherent messaging, I imbued COVID-19 precautionary measures in my antimalarial dissemination message on radio and on social media. Additionally, I continue to educate my peers on COVID-19. We meet in small groups of 5-6 persons in a prearranged location and we share thoughts, fears and strategies for keeping safe.

Despite mortality being lower among the youth, I believe we have a very big role to play in flattening the curve and also minimizing the spread. We must learn how to live with COVID-19. Until a time when a vaccine is produced, COVID-19 will keep serving as a threat and the best thing I think other advocates and I can do is to constantly remind the people around us that COVID-19 is real and that they have a duty to help stop or minimize the spread of the virus.

In my community, for several days there was talk about how COVID-19 only spreads to and kills older people. Misinformation, again. I met with community members and educated them about how infectious this pandemic is and that we are all at risk of contracting the virus, regardless of age.

These are real challenges to targeted and effective community advocacy.

Nevertheless, I admire the entrepreneurial spirits of Ghanaians. Face masks were previously expensive and scarce but are now affordable by kind courtesy of our tailors. Yet some people have simply decided not to wear them. It is difficult to blame ignorance because they see others wearing it.

 

After 8 Weeks of COVID-19   

I rarely go outside as school is now online, so every morning I open my laptop, log in to Zoom and listen to my lecturers speak with varying degrees of poor internet connection. It is not easy but this is the kind of life we have to live at Navrongo. As days turn into weeks then into months, we each long for things to go back to normal. Sometimes I ask myself, “what kind of normal are we looking forward to? The old normal or a new normal?”

The way of life of conservative Navrongo has changed. Sometimes, I wonder how life after COVID-19 would be and how we would socialize, how customs and traditions would change and how the internet would now be the major means of communication in contrast to face-to-face communication.

Oh dear.

In the words of my mentor, Dr Sylvia Anie: “Advocacy is challenging when faced with misinformation, fear and negative social norms… a true advocate is able to adjust and refine his/her message to suit the circumstance”.

 

 

 

By: Aloyce P. Urassa, Youth Leader for Health-Tanzania

Every time I listen or watch the news, I learn the world is speaking one language. Even though there are no new cases update within country, we are all in one way or the other talking about COVID-19, which has so far washed away over three hundred and sixty thousand lives, bruised the economy and social life at large.

As the world is in shambles and experiencing a huge adjustment into “the new normal” it is clear and beyond doubt that the world needs not only to bounce back but to correct and adjust for a better tomorrow.

On 26^th April 2020, during my presentation on radio about engagement of young people in health systems strengthening, I received a very interesting and rhetorical question from a listener who introduced himself as a young person, “How can the government or any institution move forward in planning and even implementation of policies without including the torchbearers? Will they not stumble in the dark?”

Indeed, young people are the torchbearers for combating global threats and for sustainable development. Some of us, through the Youth Leaders for Health program (YL4H) have had international training on leadership and advocacy. YL4H program has had a tremendous impact on me. I have learnt effective ways to do advocacy and tell impactful stories that help to shape and bring changes in communities.

WE NEED TO CREATE A STORY OF NOW

“Do what it takes to make it happen” Dr. Elichilia Shao

As young health advocates, it is time to amplify our voices in advocating for health systems strengthening and strong endorsement of the fight against other killers such as malaria in the midst of COVID-19. It is a particularly important moment now, to put into action all the good experience we have and we continue to learn.

We can do that, by creating public awareness on preventative measures and we can encourage behavioral change by example within our workplaces, universities,

We can do that, by creating public awareness on preventative measures and we can encourage behavioral change by example within our workplaces, universities, communities and homes. As the quotation from a book ‘Dream, make it happen’ by Dr. Elichilia Shao states above we shouldn’t be silent but start making a good story about our impact now.

communities and homes. As the quotation from a book ‘Dream, make it happen’ by Dr. Elichilia Shao states above we shouldn’t be silent but start making a good story about our impact now.

With fresh spirit and high motivation, we will write a story that will influence generations to come. Let us learn from our ancestors who are recalling past strategies that were used to fight pandemics successfully. They recall stories written by people to make a difference.

Some or most are in lockdown either by order of the state or voluntarily like me, I am writing this seated in my room and observing social distancing. When I can’t get out or don’t have resources to go out, I utilize well my internet devices, mobilize people via social media, engage in global, regional and local meetings, share relevant and vital information with family and friends, read publications and posts from people, learn and give my comments and keep the movement going. I participate in online campaigns such as the beat campaign on zero malaria, solidarity pledges as a global citizen. You can also learn and do the same. With just a small spark we can ignite a tremendous fire. GET STARTED!  

CO-OPERATION WITHIN LOCKDOWN

On 25^th April 2020, on World Malaria Day, I was puzzled with the strong unity created among youth leaders for health and their mentors without any physical movement.

A great beat was hit and spread to thousands about malaria fight and youth leaders celebrated with joy. This experience reminded me that social media is truly meant for socialization ‘getting us together’.

Currently a lot of webinars and virtual meetings are free for people to participate in. I always search, register and participate according to my interests. I make new friends. I get enlightened and this interaction gives me a story to share now and post COVID-19.  Volunteering in my community has also opened up opportunities for me to learn and interact with others. Through socializing via online systems or social media like Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and LinkedIn I have connected to other African youths and eventually being the administrator for African youth for public services group platform representing Tanzania. I also joined a virtual meeting with WHO Director General as a youth leader in civil society organizations.

 

EXCELLENCE IN DIFFICULT TIMES 

“When we are afraid and uncertain, the still small voice of an advocate becomes even more powerful” Dr. Sylvia Anie

There are great things I desire to achieve; I do not have to wait for this time to pass. It is in difficult moments that the strongest minds thrive, flourish and shine. As the quote above from one of my great and inspiring mentor Dr. Sylvia states, We as young advocates should never keep quite even in tough and desperate moments rather speak as our voices go further with more impacts in silent moments. Recalling the history of fighting for freedom in Africa and learning how young leaders at the moment emerged of whom we embrace to this moment gives me all reasons to never hide during tough moments rather getting out to serve others. Most of them were between 20s and 30s. You aren’t late to document your own story of now.

The future we want depends on the present we live. An excellent future will only rise from excellent and well prepared minds. READ! LEARN! DO!

Reading alone doesn’t matter if I learn nothing, learning will have no significance if not applied. I take my time to read new things and develop what I already know as access is even broader during this moment, learn from them and do or plan how to do whenever possible.

 

CALL TO ACTION

 

To stakeholders, young people are ready to do more tasks today and get prepared for tomorrow. If you are in position to support them, do not hesitate. Currently some organizations like Health promotion Tanzania-HDT and others are offering great support to young advocates. Give access to more platforms at every level, both local and global. Young people are the power. Use this power well to avoid stumbling and falling into the darkness.

 

To young people, a lot of opportunities are opened for us, let switch on the power within us and move to the grounds of reality. Let’s get together and co-operate for excellence.  “Go Youth Leaders Go” A great motive from our mentor.

 

Note:

Youth Leaders for Health is a joint program by WACI Health, RESULTS UK, Health Promotion Tanzania-HDT, Hope for Future Generation, and CISMAT- SL with support from Comic Relief. The platform facilitates and connects 25 Youth Leaders passionate about health and healthcare systems to advocate for policy change at key national, regional and global advocacy moments.

 

I come from a village in the Adaklu District in the Volta Region. I work in the Hospitality and Tourism sector and I am a trained youth leader participating in the Youth Leaders for
Health program which comprises 26 trained Youth Leaders across Ghana, Tanzania and Sierra Leone advocating for health systems
strengthening and increased domestic resource allocation to end malaria in Africa.

Presentation and use of hand sanitizer to a lady at Adidome, Central Tongu District

COVID-19 is here with us amidst all other health issues, including malaria which still remains an issue of national, regional and global concern. Various preventive measures and public advocacy by media, youth groups, NGOs and others are in the right direction. However, the expected results can only be achieved if everyone makes it a point to follow preventive measures strictly. In my role as a youth advocate, I have mobilized a group of 15 young people across communities in the Volta region and we routinely sensitise, inform, and educate community members. So far, we have interacted with 520 people over two weeks in the Kpetoe, Adaklu, Keta, Adidome, Anyarko, Hohoe, Sogakope and Ho communities through visits to homes, chop bars, small shops etc. We have conversations on the severity of the impacts of COVID-19 and the importance of  safety protocols.

 

Each day, it becomes even clearer that behavioural change in the midst of COVID-19 is unpredictable, unsustainable and difficult. Examples:

• There are people who constantly ensure they keep to the safety and hygiene protocols whilst some remain unconcerned.
• Some people use mosquito nets to prevent malaria and others refuse to.
• Some are reluctant to visit health facilities when they feel ill due to the fear of COVID-19.
• There are already signs of stigma in some communities so that people wearing face masks are regarded as having COVID-19 or as strangers in the community.
• Some people pick and choose from the various safety measures, based on what works best for them rather than their safety.
• Some people wear face masks but do not practice social distancing etc.
• In other areas, many people out of religious beliefs think that they cannot be infected by the virus and therefore see no reason for practicing various preventive measures.

Nevertheless, I believe sustained commitment is key.

The safety of a neighbour is our shared responsibility.

Let’s encourage our communities to carry on with preventive measures. As said by Dr. Peter Bujari, of Tanzania, ‘’Never say you know or have too little to make a difference’’.

My thanks to WACI Health, Results UK, Health Promotion Tanzania-HDT, Hope for Future Generations –Ghana and CISMAT – SL for their support.

Email: delight.siameh@gmail.com

 

COVID-19: USING MY VOICE AS A HEALTH ADVOCATE; EVERYDAY IS DIFFERENT

Author: Lucky Soglo

(Youth Leader for Health, Ghana)

 I am a trained youth leader for health and advocate regularly for increased domestic resources for enhanced malaria responses and health system strengthening. At a recent meeting in Addis Ababa, (Fig 1) we advocated through the Ghana Embassy and African Union for more political commitments towards malaria responses.

2:30am GMT mid-week and I can barely sleep.

I have been awake for the past hour and a half, thinking about global health. I have lost sleep over the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impact on other public health issues, especially malaria.

 

Fig 1: Youth leaders for Health Ghana, led by Dr. Anie (seated far right) meeting with Ghana Ambassador to Ethiopia (Her Excellency Amma Twum-Amoah seated in the middle), January 2020

I brace myself for the day ahead especially now that I mostly work from home.  I have decided to spend the entire month of April getting to know what it is like to be a health worker during these times. This means I will be paying visits to various health centers in the Sekondi-Takoradi district within the Western Region of Ghana.

I step out of the house at 8:00am without getting enough sleep.

As I walk past my neighbors, I realize everyone has got a face mask on, from the market trader to the flashy banker. Wonderful. Messaging and advocacy is working here, an area where the number of COVID-19 cases is increasing steadily. Who would take a risk and do otherwise?

My first stop is at the out patients section of the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, this facility serves as the referral center for the Western Region of Ghana. I meet up with the senior nursing officer on duty. She says to me

 “As hospitals fill up and more and more people get infected daily, medical staffs have to endure long hours, intensifying conditions and the looming fear of contracting the virus themselves”.

“We are at the end of our strength,” adds a doctor who came out of retirement to help at the hospital.

“We do not have sufficient resources and especially staff, because apart from everything else, the staff are beginning to get sick.”

Another nurse tells me “Rev Lucky, it’s not been easy at all, some of us, our own family members are scared to have interactions with us, our husbands are very careful when they are around us”.

 

You can clearly see the struggle these workers go through each day but at the same time you sense commitment and passion as they add their efforts to a national response.

The Senior Nursing Officer tells me, she will do this over and over again, given the chance. Admirable.

I respond to these comments by urging the nurse and doctor to consider malaria interventions concurrent with COVID-19 because immune systems weakened by untreated malaria will struggle more with COVID-19.

Community leaders and chiefs are key stakeholders in our fight against malaria, and so I end my visit at the hospital and decide to do a follow up visit to the traditional leader, the Chief of Apremdo, a community in the Western Region that has recorded high cases of malaria in recent years. We had met earlier in March.

As we navigate through issues regarding malaria, it’s hard not to talk about the impact of COVID-19. At the end of the encounter, I realize the head way I have made, as he sets up a meeting with the malaria focal person in the region. We talk about linkages between COVID-19, malaria and malnutrition and how as he talks to the community he should emphasize good sanitation, hygiene and proper nutrition, and so on to build wellbeing and resilience in these COVID-19 times. He assures me of complying.

It’s around 4:30pm, it’s late and I say goodbye. I feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that I can count on this traditional leader as an ally in health advocacy,  community mobilization and engagement.

I glance at my watch and its 4:45pm and I head home.

Not all days are the same though with this level of success.

A week ago, when I met the Head of the Public Health Division for the region to discuss strategies to address malaria, I was informed the Public Health Unit had suspended all malaria interventions and all attention was focused on COVID-19.

Sadly this is not just a Ghana thing; it’s the current tune the entire world is singing.

In all my interaction I ensure I adhere to all the safety protocols as I ensure social distancing and also I make sure I have my nose mask on, as much as it very uncomfortable sometimes, it’s important to lead by example.

As my COVID-19 journey progresses, I am learning to act like an advocate but think like a virus….what does this mean;

• Diseases ignore borders. Borders separating countries are meaningless to diseases. While there is the urgent need to act locally there is the danger of failing globally. My voice should cross borders.
• Distractions are an opportunity to lose sight of real danger and that is what COVID-19 is teaching me. As political dis-engagements and diplomatic spats continue the virus wreaks havoc everywhere. Every minute spent on arguing and blaming is a minute wasted on finding solutions. I will try to be focused at all times.
• Nothing makes a virus happier than misinformation. Confusing and inconsistent information has characterized this pandemic.  Facts, clarity and consistency of information should drive my work.

I am likely to lose more sleep in my work as a youth leader for health but I am encouraged by allies, influencers and motivators I meet along my journey including the support from Hope for Future Generations.

I will continue to follow up on visits and actions agreed.

I know what it is like to lose hope, so in my life as a health advocate, I aspire to be that thread of hope for someone else.

BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE, I am doing my part, I hope you do too!

My name is Jennifer El-Duah.

I am a Youth Leader for Health and currently work as a Lab scientist.  My journey over the last 6 months has given me remarkable experience on how advocacy can change in the arena of a public health threat.

I live in the Bono Region of Ghana in the Sunyani Municipality.  It is 4:50 am and already the distinct Muslim call to prayer can be heard in the distance. And so every day begins. Usually, the rest of the day simply unravels from there.  A quiet prayer, making a list of all the things that need to be done that day, grooming and then you’re out the door-heading to work. Also, one cannot resist the temptation to read news updates from the various outlets. “COVID-19 cases rise”, “Global death toll up”, “Patients tested positive on the run”, “Health workers need PPEs”. This is more than enough to raise anxiety and cause some despair.

All community conversations now dwell on COVID-19. We know from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa that a sudden increased demand on fragile health systems can lead to substantial increases in morbidity and mortality from other diseases, including malaria. Now with community spread in Ghana and the similarities between symptoms of COVID-19 and malaria, are people comfortable enough to report to the hospital when ill?

These days, I am inclined to stay in bed for just a few more minutes, dreading the thought of having to ride in a taxi to work. What if someone coughs and doesn’t cover their mouth? What if I touch the very surface that an infected person touched? Who ensures that people wear their masks? Are masks really preventive? There is also the mental effort for me to remember not to touch my face.

My region, Bono region, is one of the few which have not recorded any case of COVID-19. However, this is not something one must be happy about. Complacency is simply a recipe for disaster. As if a disaster is not already happening.  Despite the ban on school, church and public or social gatherings, you still find people chatting and laughing away. We have a long way to go.

After a very uncomfortable taxi cab ride to work, I am faced with yet another hurdle, getting through work while observing all safety protocols.  Truth is, I love what I do.  I walk toward the entrance to work, nodding cheerily to colleagues and careful to stand a safe distance from anyone I stop to chat with. Ordinarily, a hardy handshake would suffice. Then when I make it to the entrance and onward to my department, my work day finally begins. “Jennifer, don’t forget to wear your nose mask” my supervisor usually says. This is a welcome reminder, not that I need it. With my mask firmly fixed on and in my protective apparel, I start to work. While concentrating on what I am doing, I must not rub that itch in my eye.  It takes a second for the itch to crop up and another second for the involuntary response to rub. That’s a mental battle. Did I forget to mention washing my hands at least 10 times while at work?

All day I think of how to advocate for improved health under these conditions.  Can I talk about malaria as well as COVID-19 at the same time? Will people listen?

Finally, it’s 5pm, and I clock out. A girl must eat. I make another taxi trip to the market so I can restock my supplies.  A thought comes to my mind. As wonderful as it is to see so many hand washing stations around, what happens when everyone has to turn the tap with their hands? Are people taught the right way to wash their hands? We must be careful not to turn these stations into coronavirus breeding centers.

Then I find out the price of lime and ginger has shot up. Madam market woman, why? “Lime and ginger mix is very good for fighting coronavirus so people are really buying. They are in high demand”. The less said about that, the better.  The price of tissue paper has also shot up simply because there are hand washing stations everywhere and people need to dry their hands. The good thing is that market vendors are spread apart. You have to walk long distances to get what you want, but it’s worth it.

I get home exhausted, wash my hands and get to cooking and preparing for the next day.  A small voice in my head keeps repeating “these are not ordinary times.”  I am usually glad when I am home. That is where I feel safe and gather my thoughts to face the next day. I cherish the days that I don’t have to go to work. I relish staying indoors and trying some new recipes or reading a few chapters of a good book.

We risk losing the art of socializing. Our culture is based on gathering, touching, embracing, consoling and sharing. Will all that go away? I look forward to the day when wearing masks is not routine and you can give one another a warm hug. I cannot wait for the day we can congregate once again at a place of worship, or attend a flamboyant wedding. Indeed, COVID-19 has even affected the way I dress! I no longer wear watches or bracelets. They get in the way of hand washing.

I also look forward to when I can speak up for better strategies against malaria when I am certain that I have the attention of my audience. Undeniably, the coronavirus has affected everyone’s life.

It laughs in the face of social inequality. This is a fight for all races and gender.  “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself” Henry Ford. Certainly, there is great wisdom in this.

By: Jennifer El-Duah