Mahama Should Have Been �Emotional� On Ebola Appeal

The Head of the Political Science Department at the KNUST, Dr. Amoako Baah is not impressed about President Mahama appeal to the international community to help combat the deadly Ebola outbreak in West Africa. According to him, the President in his appeal should have been �dramatic and emotional� to enable them [international community] �jump into action�. Delivering his address Thursday at the 69th UN General Assembly, President Mahama called on the international community not to take a back seat and allow Ebola claim innocent lives but rather play an active role to eradicate the deadly virus. He said the virus that has claimed many lives in affected countries is wreaking havoc on the world�s economy and must be tackled zealously. �Ebola is a disease of isolation, Ebola is a problem that belongs to the World because it knows no boundaries�we cannot afford to let fear keep us away,� President Mahama added. Speaking however, on Asempa FM�s �Ekosii Sen� programme Thursday, Dr. Amoako Baah said though the president tried his best, an emotional appeal would have done the trick. �The whole world knows we [Africans] are beggars so this is not the time to be proud when you have to speak to an urgent issue. We don�t need sympathy we need help,� he exclaimed. The Political Science lecturer indicated that a deadly virus which has killed over 2,000 people in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia should not be treated with kids gloves. �The appeal is not dramatic enough to move people to tears and get the international community respond appropriately,� he added. Dr. Amoako Baah stated that �if I were the president�s speech writer, I would have been very dramatic to appeal to the conscience of the international community especially the Russians, who think we are worlds apart,� he stressed. He however commended President Mahama for allowing the United Nations set up an Ebola centre in Accra. �The good thing is that UN is setting up Ebola centre in Ghana at least it will be a safe haven for citizens,� he noted.