The Pan-Africa Epidemic and Pandemic Working Group, a prominent global organization, is calling on African leaders to boycott a proposed pandemic treaty by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The group strongly believes that this treaty would grant the WHO excessive powers, raising concerns about its potential impact on African nations.
The proposed Pandemic Treaty seeks to amend the International Health Regulations (IHR) and establish a new framework that would empower the WHO Director-General to unilaterally declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
This would require African countries to implement stringent measures such as border closures, lockdowns, and mandatory medical examinations and vaccinations, potentially infringing on principles of informed medical consent and ethics.
Moreover, the treaty would compel African countries to suppress dissenting information and opinions, comply with WHO directives, and contribute financially to global pandemic preparedness efforts. This could divert crucial resources away from addressing pressing health issues in Africa, including malaria, tuberculosis, and malnutrition.
In response to these concerns, Professor Samuel Adu-Gyamfi, an eminent member of the Pan-Africa Epidemic and Pandemic Working Group, voiced his apprehensions at a press conference held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He argued that the treaty could serve as a means for Western countries to exert neo-colonial influence over African nations.
The group recommends that African governments advocate for a comprehensive review of the role of Western-dominated international health organizations and push for a more equitable and evidence-based approach to public health.
The group emphasized the importance of ensuring that African nations are actively involved in shaping global health policies that directly impact their populations.
“We are deeply concerned about the WHO’s pandemic policy. We aim to raise awareness among lower and lower-middle-income African countries about the implications of this treaty. Our advocacy efforts are focused on highlighting the need for African nations to have a voice in shaping global health policies, rather.” Professor Samuel Adu-Gyamfi told the press.
He went on to say that the decision made by the World Health Organization (WHO) will hinder the growth of African Traditional Herbal Medicine, which has long been a cornerstone of healthcare in Africa. Therefore, the people, African leaders, and advocates must come together to push for a review of the WHO’s treaty.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com/Joseph Marfo
