EBOLA AFFECTS TRANSPORT BUSINESS

By: Kwamina Bamfo-Agyei & Kate Okyere

Ebola has affected transport business at the Liberia refugee camp in Central Region. Vehicles were seen at the camp full with goods parked due to the closure of the boarder.

Ebola is an infectious disease marked by fever and severe internal bleeding whose normal host species is unknown. It is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human to human transmission. According to world health organization, there is no specific treatment or vaccine and the fatality rate can be up to 90% and patient are given supportive care, which includes providing fluids and electrolytes and food.

The Station officer of the Liberia refugee’s camp Ghana Transport Road Union Ekow Eshun made it clear that, drivers at the camp have been suspended from operation for the past six months and it is only the camp officers who open their offices but do nothing.

 He explained that, since the Ebola occurred people do not move from Ghana to Liberia but rumors says people who went to Liberia are infected  by the deadly disease but he can’t say it is the fact until they find out themselves or the disease has been controlled.

He also said that, there has been a camp commander who educates them on the Ebola issue.   Moreover, they try to identify people who have been arrived from non-authorize areas and Liberia to put them on screening.

Andrew, a Liberian who has stayed in Ghana for more than twenty four years expressed his view that, although Ebola is not in the whole Africa, he urges the non-affected countries to assist the affected countries and see how best they can reduce the rate of Ebola.

He also explained in grief that, he has two friends who are dead as a result of Ebola, one was a Liberian and the other a Ghanaian so he is praying to God for his sisters will not be affected.

He went on to explain that, he do not get information directly from his relatives at Liberia but get information only from BBC and CNN.

According to the Central Press  reporter, whiles operations have been suspended, passengers still carry their luggage to the camp hoping a day will come when the Ebola outbreak will be controlled and also try their luck either a truck will move but in this situation, luck does not work only the law operates.