COVID 19 Vaccinations: Should It Be by Choice or Mandatory in Ghana? Our Opinion in Response to Political Activists’ Arguments against Compulsory Vaccination

Abstract

Some political actors and activists have waged war against compulsory vaccination in Ghana by insinuating that such decision by government is an affront to the rights and freedoms of citizens as enshrined in the 1992 republican constitution. This paper scrutinizes this position and supports the fact that government did not err in its decision to impose compulsory vaccination on persons travelling into and out of Ghana. In doing this, relevant materials were reviewed. The World Health Organization at its thirteenth world health assembly on 25th April 1960 recommended compulsory vaccination. Chapter five (5), article twelve (12) section two (2) of the 1992 constitution makes it possible for citizens to enjoy their rights and freedoms but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for public interest”. The Public Health Act, 2012 (ACT 851), part II (Vaccination), Section 22, subsection (1), gives power to the Minister of Health, through a legislative instrument (LI) to order compulsory vaccination for public interest. The vaccination ACT 1919, CAP.76 in section 3, subsections (1) and (2) also give powers to minister of health to issue such directives. Again, articles 31 and 32 of the 1992 Republican constitution, give room for the declaration of state of emergencies making it possible for one to be “legally deprived” of the enjoyment of the fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in chapter five (5) of the 1992 constitution in times of natural disasters such as COVID-19.