Ebola: A Call to Action

By Joachim Arrey in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

Ebola, the violent virus named after a village in Congo, has continued to terrorize communities across West and Central Africa. The number of fatalities is on the rise despite efforts by the international community to contain its spread. The “no-nonsense virus” has pushed the international community into taking desperate and rigorous measures. In West Africa, Ebola towns are cropping up, with residents even quarantined at gun point. In Liberia, the virus’ continuous push and huge appetite for more victims have resulted in soldiers building a “ring of fire” around cities such as Dolo to enforce a strict quarantine of the city’s residents. Desperate situations call for desperate measures and nothing short of such measures will kiss Ebola goodbye. Ebola wants to take up residence in West Africa, but the international community is working very hard to ensure that its dream never comes true. It is hard cohabiting with this virus. It is no respecter of persons and its ability to kill anybody in its path has put HIV to shame. This is a virus that is intent on ruining the continent’s economy by giving it a bad name. Ebola has caused investors to hold off on many major investments on the continent. A continent that was projected to post some attractive and significant growth numbers is today being considered a bad apple and not many investors are willing to sink their teeth into it. The trail of death and destruction that this virus is leaving across the sub-region is incredible and its impact on businesses will linger for a very long time.

Though Ebola is no good news to anybody, it is indeed a wake-up call and a call to action for many African communities that have thrown caution to the wind. Sub-Saharan Africa is Ebola’s prime target and for cause. Like other dangerous viruses, it sees Africa as a conducive environment due to poor hygiene and outdated traditions. The African is impervious to change. Western education has had very little impact on him. Time has always stood still for the ordinary African. This is a continent wherein old habits die hard and that is why, this continent, though endowed with the richest sub-soil, will always be the poorest. Innovation and research are still foreign concepts in this part of the world. While other peoples in other parts of the world have walked away from the bad habit of hunting animals for food, it normal for Africans to feast on wild animals, many of which have been driven to extinction. These animals seem to have signed a pact with dangerous viruses as a defense mechanism. Since humans eat them as food, they have decided serve as hosts for these viruses and once consumed, the viruses will attack humans in return. Africans must therefore understand that eating these animals can only bring “peace of the stomach” and not peace of mind that will enable them have a good night’s sleep. Since the outbreak of the virus, the entire continent has been on edge. Bush meat, which has always been on menus in most restaurants in the region, has disappeared overnight. Everybody is scared of being the next victim. Ebola has no regard for social status or academic titles. It has put many people out of business and work, and if not contained, it will displace many people in the region. Other regions of the world will soon be witnessing a wave of displaced people known as Ebola refugees. But will they be coming without the virus?

However, it is the virus’ spread that is a cause for concern. In recent weeks, the virus has rushed many people out of this planet. Africa, where it is traditional to shake hands, is gradually changing. Many Africans are scared of the enemy they cannot see and they are now greeting each other like Japanese or Americans. Ebola has imposed change on Africans; change that is non-negotiable. Africans are naturally frozen in time, but Ebola is helping to disentangle then from their ugly past. Old ways have only led to more tears and pain on this continent. Ebola has created the right conditions for the African to take a look at his past to understand that it should not dictate the future. The “viruses of the future” like Ebola and HIV are helping Africans to think twice before engaging in any irresponsible behaviour in the name of culture or tradition.

Ebola has indeed poisoned life on the continent, especially in West Africa. Socialization and promiscuity that are fertile grounds for these viruses are gradually diminishing. Many people now understand that sharing body fluids spells death. Many people are putting off casual sex as Ebola wanders the streets looking for the next victim. Sex workers are feeling the pinch. Ebola, the new “sex police”, is on the watch. Sex workers in many parts of the continent have simply fled the streets. Foreign sex tourists no longer consider Africa as an attractive destination. These are critical times for the commercial sex sector. These sex workers might have to seek employment somewhere else. The fear that Ebola could also be sexually communicable will linger for many years.

Ebola is a dangerous virus, but it is also a call to action. Africans have to walk away from their outdated traditional lifestyles if they really want to divorce some of these viruses that are undermining their development efforts and happiness. Culture and tradition are not God-given. They are human inventions which must be refined over time to bring the best possible happiness to those living within any socio-cultural context at a given time. Ebola may be something everybody will like to forget very fast, but it is also a reminder that those who are stuck in the past have no place in the future. If Africans continue to hunt animals for food and generate slums, dangerous viruses will continue to stalk them like stubborn shadows.