President Nana Akufo-Addo refused to shake the hands of dignitaries who were present at the 63rd Independence Day celebration which took place in Kumasi on Friday.
Akufo-Addo instead of shaking hands, bowed to each dignitary including the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Dr Keith Christopher Rowley, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.
He declined to shake hands with the dignitaries due to only one reason- fear of contracting coronavirus.
Who is not afraid of the deadly coronavirus?
President Akufo-Addo is not the only head of state who has taken a decision to avoid handshakes at public events.
Tanzania’s State House recently shared a picture of President John Magufuli exchanging a foot greeting- instead of handshake- with opposition politician Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad.
President Magufuli was observing new measures by the health ministry to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Back here in Ghana, people have been advised to avoid hugging, kissing and greeting people by hand to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Ghana has not recorded any case of coronavirus yet. But two of its three closest neighbours to the east, Togo and Nigeria, have reported cases of the virus.
So far, 27 cases of coronavirus have been recorded on the continent; in Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia and Egypt.
Ghanaians place premium value on handshake. A handshake symbolises friendship. It is also great indicator of showing good spirit and familiarity to a fellow human.
Did the President not shaking hands with the dignitaries take anything away from the 63rd Independence Day celebration?
Watch the video below.
SOURCE: Kasatintin.com
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