TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • Coronavirus: Restructure loans to save SMEs from collapse Minority

    The Minority Caucus has called on the government to immediately put in measures that will provide some relief for small and medium scale enterprises as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic.

    Interacting with some journalists on behalf of the Minority Caucus on the sidelines of Parliamentary sitting on Monday, March 23, 2020, the Ranking Member on the Committee on Trade & Industry and Tourism, Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, said even though government has started engaging captains of industry on how best they could support their business, an initiative he commended, he said players in the SME sector must be engaged by managers of the economy to see how best their businesses could be supported.

    Hon. Kofi-Buah who is also the NDC MP for Ellembele, said the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic on the Ghanaian economy both short and long term, will be dire, thereby, necessitating urgent support to prevent them from collapsing.

    For instance, he said the Ministry of Finance together with the Bank of Ghana should engage players in the financial sector, especially, the various banks to see how best they could repackage the loans contracted by the small and medium scale business to enable them stay in business.

    That notwithstanding, he said interest rates should also be reviewed and scaled down for players in the SME sector.

    “Government must be commended for taking bold measures by engaging captains of industry, thus the Association of Ghana Industries. It has also engaged players in the pharmaceutical industry which is a step in the right direction. However, it must make public the outcome of these engagements. We in the Minority would also like the government to put in place measures that will support small and medium scale businesses stay in business in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic. Loans must be restructured and spread considering the impact the coronavirus will have on our economy in the short and long terms. They must also see how best they could reduce interest rate. All these will help our brothers and sisters in the SME sector stay in business”, he noted.

    Source: kasapafmonline.com

  • WHO warns public about criminals impersonating the organisation

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned the public to be aware of some criminals disguising themselves as the WHO, to steal money and sensitive information.

    It said these criminals often use emails, websites, phone calls, text and fax messages for scams and urged people to clarify the legitimacy of such communications by contacting WHO directly.

    It advised that any contact by a person or organisation that appears to be from the WHO must be verified for their authenticity before responding.

    In a publication on its website, the WHO said it would never ask for username or password to access safety information and advised the public against emailing attachments they did not ask for.

    It also said the WHO would never ask anyone to visit a link outside of www.who.int, or charge money to apply for a job, register for a conference, or reserve a hotel, and neither would it conduct lotteries or offer grants, prizes, certificate or funding through emails.

    It said the only call for donations WHO has issued, was the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, and that any other appeal for funding or donations that appeared to be from WHO was a scam.

    The WHO is aware of suspicious email messages attempting to take advantage of the COVD-19 emergency, a fraudulent action known as “Phishing”, by which these criminals ask people to give out sensitive information such as usernames or passwords, or request users to click a malicious link or open an attachment.

    In preventing phishing, individuals are advised to verify if the sender had an email address such as ‘person@who.int’ and if there was anything other than ‘who.int’ after the ‘@’ symbol, then the sender was not from WHO.

    For example the WHO does not send email from addresses ending in ‘@who.com’, ‘@who.org’, or ‘@who-safety.org’.

    It urged users to make sure that the link stated with ‘https://www.who.int’, or to better still, navigate to the WHO website directly, by typing ‘https://www.who.int’ into their browser.

    The WHO further advised people to be careful when providing personal information, not to rush or feel under pressure as cyber criminals often would use emergencies such as the COVID-19, to get people to make decisions quickly.

    It urged all who have given such sensitive information to criminals, to immediately change their credentials on each site where they had used them and quickly report it to the WHO.

    Source: GNA

  • Don’t allow your children to sell on the street Deputy Minister

    Mrs. Freda Prempeh, the Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, on Monday advised parents and guardians not to allow their children and wards to hawk and sell on the streets to protect them from contracting Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    She also urged them to teach their children proper handwashing with soap.

    Mrs. Prempeh who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North indicated that children were vulnerable and allowing them to hawk and sell sachet water and other items on the streets exposed them to avoidable dangers.

    Speaking in an interview with the GNA on the sidelines of a short presentation ceremony at Goaso in the Asunafo North Municipality, Mrs. Prempeh indicated that though children had strong immune systems to fight diseases, parents must also restrict their movements so that they would not be contaminated.

    The Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council presented items such as Veronica buckets, washing bowls, medicated soaps, litter bins and sanitizers to the Municipal/District Assemblies in the Region to be distributed to public institutions to aid hand washing.

    Mrs. Prempeh applauded the level of public education on the COVID-19, and commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for measures put in place to control the spread of the disease.

    She said public education and precautionary measures on COVID-19 must be extended and intensified in rural communities to protect rural dwellers as well.

    Mrs. Prempeh said Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) should also not be left out or neglected from the public education on the disease and called on the Municipal and District Assemblies to ensure that education on COVID-19 go down well with them.

    The MP said she had bought 5,000 sanitizers and 100 Veronica buckets and soaps to be distributed in her constituency.

    Mrs. Prempeh called on the media to be circumspect and ensure that their publications on the COVID-19 did not stigmatize infected people.

    She also urged Assembly Members and traditional authorities to collaborate with health services to help improve on sanitation in the localities.

    Mr. Evans Opoku-Bobie, the Ahafo Regional Minister, emphasised that the RCC would monitor and ensure that the items were being used to benefit the general public.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: National Labour Commission suspends all hearings

    The National Labour Commission (NLC) has from Monday, March 23, suspended all hearings of the Commission and facilitation meetings until further notice.

    A statement signed by Dr Bernice A. Welbeck, Director of Administration and Human Resources, NLC, which was copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the decision was as a result of the COVID-19 virus outbreak and the advice by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Ministry of Health and other governmental agencies to observe the necessary protocols, which among others include regular hand washing with soap and social distancing.

    “We shall duly notify you when we resume the hearings/meetings. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted,” it added.

    source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: No soldier has been infected – Military Command

    The Military High Command has debunked a social media report that some serving soldiers have been infected with the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    A statement signed by Colonel E. AggreyQuashie, the Director of Public Relations, Ghana Armed Forces, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, on Monday, said: “The attention of High Command was drawn to a false publication circulating on social media that alleged that some serving soldiers have contracted the Coronavirus.

    “We wish to inform the public that the story is false and should be disregarded”.

    It also cautioned those individuals involved in the publishing of fake news to desist from the practice.

    “At this sensitisation time in our national life, the collective effort of all and sundry should be aimed at sensitising the public on preventive measures against COVID-19, and not the spread of false information,” it advised.

    Source: GNA

  • Bureau of Public Safety calls for partial lockdown of regions battling coronavirus cases

    The Bureau of Public Safety is calling for a partial lockdown of regions that has recorded coronavirus cases in the country.

    So far, the Ashanti and Greater Accra Regions have recorded cases of the global pandemic.

    Currently, the number of Covid-19 positive cases in Ghana has risen to 24 with one death recorded.

    In a radio interview monitored by primenewsghana.com, Research and Advocacy Director at the Bureau of Public Safety, Etornam Kordah called for a partial lockdown of the two regions as part of measures to contain the rapid spread of Covid-19 in Ghana

    ”The need for a lockdown being that, we looked at so many happenings around the world and looked at the trend in Ghana. One thing we realized is that, the cases keep increasing and its not wise wanting to record higher numbers in the hundreds before we announce lockdown. We are looking at the regions that has recorded cases of Covid-19 so we may not call int a total national lockdown but a partial lockdown for these two regions”.

    On his part, Research Scientist at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Dr Michael Owusu advised government in hastily announcing lockdown contrary to suggestions by some experts

    ”A lot has to go for a lockdown, I don’t think for what am seeing we are prepared. This shouldn’t be rushed because lockdown involves a lot of thinking and structural planning to enable us to do this. A lot of people in Ghana are in the informal sector hat if they don’t go to the market to sell they will not get anything. So the various governments, DCEs must begin to have a plan”.

    Dr. Owusu also warned for a possible increase in cases of the coronavirus following some community infections. He added more than half of Ghana’s population could be exposed to the deadly virus if the necessary precautions are not adhered to.

    However, as part of strengthening the measures to prevent a rapid spread COVID-19 cases, markets in the Greater Accra Region will be fumigated today March 23, 2020.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • I was invited for coronavirus prayers but I left Owusu Bempah

    General Overseer of Glorious Word Power Ministries International Prophet Isaac Owusu Bempah has cleared the air on the recently held breakfast prayer meeting hosted at the Jubilee House by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    The man of God says he was invited and he was even there before the meeting started.

    But he left for an equally important assignment, he disclosed on Onua FMs Yen Sempa on Monday, March 23.

    He said he even returned to the presidency, hoping to join the clergy but the meeting had ended.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo called for a meeting with the various heads of religious bodies to hold a prayer session at the Jubilee House in Accra on Thursday, March 19, 2020 amidst the growing cases of the deadly coronavirus in the country.

    Present at the meeting included members of the Christian Council, Bishop Conference, Rev. Eastwood Anaba, Archbishop Duncan Williams, among others.

    Source: 3news.com

  • Coronavirus: Allow journalists to work from home GJA

    The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has encouraged media houses to adopt remote work systems that allow staff to work from home and ensure their safety and protection as part of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

    The GJA said journalists, in the news gathering process and programming such as interviewing and discussion programmes, face greater risk of being infected by COVID-19.

    The association also said the health crisis is likely to have serious consequences on media practitioners and their working conditions in newsrooms, given the closeness of contact in their workplaces.

    It has, therefore, advised journalists and media practitioners to, as much as possible, adopt innovate ways of news gathering and reporting such as the use of Skype and telephone for interviewing instead of inviting panellists to the studios for interviews.

    The GJA also urged media owners to acquire Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) such as gloves, bodysuit and full-face mask for use by their reporters who may be engaging infected persons or reporting from compromised sites.

    In a statement, the GJA further called for the provision of running water or Veronica Buckets where necessary as well as soaps, alcohol-based hand sanitisers and other protective equipment to journalists in order to guarantee them optimal protection.

    “We also encourage media houses to adopt remote work systems that allow staff to work from home and ensure their safety and protection since we are not in normal times,” the statement said.

    Ghana has recorded 24 COVID-19 cases so far with one death.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Rastafari Council applauds Parliament for legalising ‘ganja’ for medical use

    The Rastafari Council have applauded Ghana Parliament for legalising cannabis for health and industrial purposes in the country.

    On Friday 20th March 2020, the Parliament passed the Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2019, which transforms the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) into a Commission with enhanced powers to control and eliminate trafficking of prohibited narcotic drugs.

    Per the new law, NACOB also becomes a Commission with additional powers to oversee the industrial use of some narcotic substances.

    The new law empowers the Minister for Interior to grant licences for the cultivation of cannabis of not more than 0.3 percent THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that gives the users a high sensation, for industrial and medicinal purposes.

    Reacting to this development, the Rastafari Council who have been advocating the legalisation of cannabis over the years congratulated the government and urged it to take advantage of this opportunity to initiate policies to industrialise the production and processing of cannabis in the country as part of the Ghana Beyond Aid agenda.

    “The legalisation of Cannabis in Ghana paves the way for sustainable job creation, income opportunities for households and marginalised populations, enhanced foreign capital remission through export, lawful access to medicinal advancements in cannabis, and the regeneration of lands which have been destroyed through surface mining and acts of environmental degradation,” the Council said in a statement.

    The Council admonished the public to abide faithfully by the regulatory requirements contained in the Act in order to realise its objects.

    The Council further said it looks forward to engage further with Parliament and the various arms of government on ways to harness the enormous economic, medicinal and environmental prospects of cannabis legalisation.

    Already, countries like Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho, and South Africa are among African countries that have decriminalised the use of cannabis for health purposes.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Let’s observe simple rules – Ursula Owusu

    Ghana’s Communication Minister and Member of Parliament for the Ablekuma West construction, Ursula Osusu Ekuful has called on the Ghanaian populace to ‘observe simple rules’ as the country fight to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    The outspoken politician, on Sunday tool to her Facebook page to advice Ghanaians on some simple rules to follow in order to stop the spread.

    Below is her full write-up

    The battle is still the Lord’s and our God reigns. Let’s observe the simple rules………. hand washing, social distancing, avoiding unnecessary trips and staying home as much as possible.

    No hugs and hanging out with strangers. Avoid groups of over 10, I say.

    Catch up on your reading, call or text your friends and loved oned to see if they are OK and share the little you have with those in need.

    Above all, have faith and believe that the God of the day is still God in the night and this too shall pass.

    For those observing lent like me, let’s fast and pray more.

    Those who aren’t, should join the rest of the nation on Wednesday 25th to cry out to the lord to sustain us in these trying times.

    May we avoid becoming like Italy by obeying these simple rules. Stay safe and God bless us all and our homeland Ghana.

    Source: ghanaguardian.com

  • NPP suspends Chairman over leaked audio recording

    The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has suspended its Constituency Chairman for Krachi-Nchumuru in the Oti Region Mr Joseph Kwame Danso Asiam following a petition that has been filed against him, MyNewsGh.com has confirmed.

    A letter communicating the decision signed by the Regional Secretary Joshua G. Makubu dated March 22, 2020 reads “I write to inform you that disciplinary action has been initiated see against Mr Joseph Kwame Danso Asiam over an alleged audio.

    Pursuant to Article 3(7) (1-2) the regional at a meeting decided that the Chairmen steps-aside as an enquiry into the case against him is being carried out”

    “In reference to 7(19) of the constitution of our party you are requested to act in the place of the constituency chairman pending the outcome of the enquiry”, the Constituency First Vice Chairman was told.

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • SHS students create touch-free Veronica bucket to help fight coronavirus

    A group of students from the Obuasi Secondary Technical School have made a hand free Veronica bucket to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

    Unlike the normal Veronica bucket, one does not need to turn on the tap before water would flow.

    Rather, the artifact is designed in a way that, once you place your hand beneath the tap, the water begins to automatically flow.

    This invention ensures that people are able to wash their hands using water from the Veronica bucket without touching its tap.

    Interestingly, once the hand is pulled away from the tap, the water also stops running.

    The invention was made by the robotics team of the Obuasi Secondary Technical School, with guidance from one of their teachers.

    “This is a COVID-19 prevention electronic bucket…the main aim of designing this bucket is to allow people to avoid touching tap of the bucket since the virus can be transferred when an infected person touches the bucket,” one of the students said in a demonstration video.

    Source: Pulse.com.gh

  • Government taking good care of us, paying all expenses COVID-19 victims

    The government has been commended for it immense support persons who have tested positive for the deadly coronavirus disease and their family members, MyNewsGh.com reports.

    “Since we tested positive for the virus, President Akufo-Addo and his NPP government has taken care of the cost of our medical treatment, the food we eat and support being given to our family we cannot reach them for now”,  a  victim spoke on Nhyira FM monitored by MyNewsGh.com from the Ridge Hospital in Accra where he is being quarantined.

    According to Nii, [not his real name], life in his quarantined base can be described as happy despite restrictions of movement for him contrary to rumours government has neglected them.

    “We are served delicious food that is boosting our immune system. … We eat a lot of food that contains cabbages and Vitamins and we are happy here like any individual living home”, he told host urging people to submit themselves to the test if they suspect they have contracted the diseases.

    According to him, he never showed signs and symptoms of the deadly virus but results came out positive when a test was run on him.

    “I have shown no symptoms of any virus; I have no flu, cold or anything like that but when I submitted myself for a checkup and I was eventually tested positive for the conoravirus”.

    Source:MyNewsGh.com/Stephen Zoure

  • Coronavirus: Cases in Africa pass 1,000

    Africa has seen its coronavirus cases pass the 1,000 mark this weekend. There are currently 1,198 confirmed cases of Covid-19, the continent’s Centre for Disease Control has announced.

    Uganda reported its first case last night after testing a passenger who had returned home from Dubai.

    The confirmation came hours after President Yoweri Museveni had announced several crowd control measures including banning of all flight operations starting midnight on Sunday.

    In neighbouring Rwanda, the government has announced that it may extend its 14-day lockdown which was imposed last week on Thursday.

    Rwanda has so far recorded 17 cases of Covid-19, the most in the East Africa region.

    In the Democratic Republic of Congo recorded its first Covid-19 related death after a doctor who had returned from France succumbed to the disease.

    The Africa CDC has also announced 108 patients have recovered after contracting the virus:

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: Full list of 137 Accra markets that will be closed today

    The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has published a list of 137 markets that will be closed on Monday (March 23, 2020) for disinfection as part of measures to curb the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Accra.

    The Ministry in a statement said the closure of the markets follow a Presidential directive that it coordinates with the Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDA) to enhance the conditions of hygiene in markets across the country.

    All the markets would be reopened for business on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

    “In pursuant to the directives, a number of activities have been initiated including the disinfection of markets, public education initiation of market women on the COVID-19. In view of this, the general public is hereby informed of the disinfection of 137 markets in the Greater Accra Region on Monday 23rd March 2020,” the statement said.

    “Metropolitan Municipal and District Anomalies (MMDAs) in collaboration with Market Queens and leaders are to close the attached lists of markets under their jurisdiction Monday 23 March 2020 for disinfection to enhance conditions of hygiene in order to contain and prevent the spread of the virus”.

    Below is the complete list of markets;

    Accra Metro (MMDA) Markets;

    Jufo Jala (Tuesday)

    Makola SSNIT

    Makola 31st

    Okaishie

    Kantamanto

    Agbogbloshie Vegetable

    Makola No. 2

    Kaneshie

    Neoplan Station Circle

    Salaga / London

    Timber

    Korle -Bu

    ABLEKUMA NORTH (MMDA) Markets;

    Mallam

    Odorkor

    Kokompe

    Darkuman

    ABLEKUMA CENTRAL (MMDA) Markets;

    Abossey Okai

    ICGC

    Onion Market

    Zongo Market

    Shukura

    Takoradi & Environs

    Dan Lartey Area

    Station Station

    ABLEKUMA WEST (MMDA) Markets;

    Dansoman

    Last Stop

    AYAWASO CENTRAL (MMDA) Markets;

    Circle Market (Tip Toe Lane)

    Mallam Atta

    Alajo

    Ayi Diki

    AYAWASO NORTH (MMDA) Markets;

    Kasoa Kuda

    Kasoa Maamudu

    AYAWASO WEST (MMDA) Markets;

    Santana

    University Night Market

    KORLE KLOTTEY (MMDA) Markets;

    Osu

    Arts Centre

    Tema Station GNA

    Tema Station Metro Mass

    Tema Station Market

    Tudu

    Adjabeng CMB

    Abuja

    Railway

    Odornaa

    Novotel No.1

    Novotel 2

    Pedestrian Shopping Mall

    Adabraka

    SHAI OSU DOKU DIST (MMDA) Markets;

    Dodowa

    Doryumu

    Agomeda

    Asutuare

    Old Gazelle

    Asutuare Junction

    Kodiabe

    Siakuman

    ADA WEST (MMDA) Markets;

    Sege

    Koluador

    Ayawaso North (MMDA) Markets;

    Kasoa Buda

    Kasoa Mahmudu

    GA NORTH (MMDA) Markets;

    Ofankor

    Pokuase

    Mile 7

    Afiaman

    KROWOR (MMDA) Markets;

    Nungua Central

    Old Town Bus Stop

    Ga South (MMDA) Markets;

    Galilea

    Hobor

    WEIJA GBAWE (MMDA) Market;

    Mallam Station

    GA CENTRAL (MMDA) Markets;

    Anyaa Market

    Ablekuma Curve Market

    Chantan Market

    Cosmos

    Ga West MMDA Markets;

    Amasaman A

    Amasaman B

    Medie

    Sarpeiman

    Three Junction

    GA EAST MMDA Markets;

    Yam

    Dome

    Taifa

    Abokobi

    Bohye

    LEDZEKUKU MMDA Markets;

    Lascala

    Aduemli

    Accra Yoshishi

    Tsui Bleo

    Mangoase

    Martey Tsuru

    Teshie Zongo

    ADA EAST MMDA Markets;

    Kasseh

    Big Ada

    Ashlemanor

    Big Ada Community Centre

    Ada Foah

    KPONE KATAMANSO MMDA Markets;

    Kpone New Market

    Zenu

    Katamanso

    Timber Market

    Tulaku

    NINGO PRAMPRAM MMDA Markets;

    Old Ningo

    Prampram

    Abekope

    AYAWASO EAST MMDA Market;

    Nima Market

    LA NKWANTANANG MMDA Markets;

    Madina

    New Road

    Bohye Redco

    VRA

    Kufuor Market

    Mandela

    Valco

    Afariwa Junction

    Ashaiman Main

    LA DADEKOTOPON MMDA Markets;

    Main

    37

    License Office

    Burma Camp

    Prisons

    TEMA WEST MMDA Markets;

    Texpo

    Klagon

    Adjei Kojo

    Cambodia

    Kanewu

    Community 2

    Community 5

    TEMA MMDA Markets;

    Community 9

    Community 8

    Community 7

    Community 1

    New Town

    Fishing Harbour

    Okaikwei North MMDA Markets;

    Akweteman

    Nii Boye Town

    Achimota

    Abeka

    Ashawo

    ADENTAN MMDA Markets;

    SSNIT Shopping

    Centre Ogbojo

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Dont leave us behind in COVID-19 education — Deaf Association

    The President of the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD), Mr Mathew Kubachua, has appealed to the government and other stakeholders not to leave out persons with hearing disability in the various Coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention campaigns.

    He said there had not been the involvement of a sign language interpretor, neither were they materials in sign language for the deaf in the ongoing education campaigns about the virus and “what to do and what not to do to stay safe.”

    Mr Kubachua, who made the appeal after receiving some antiseptic liquid and antibiotic soaps from Delta Agro Limited on behalf of the association at a ceremony in Accra, further claimed that the deaf were often the last group of people to receive education of such occurances in the country.

    Concerns

    Mr Kubachua, who spoke through an interpreter, said the association was scared about the prospect of any of their members contracting the virus due to their lack of adequate information about it.

    “For instance, if not for the interpreter with us here, communication between us would not have been possible,” he added.

    The president, however, said his outfit was ready to support the government in its sensitisation exercise of the virus if only they were contacted and the necessary materials made available to them.

    Donation

    In all, Delta Agro donated 105 cartons of soap and antiseptic to the association for onward distribution to members.

    The Business Development Manager of the company, Mr Fares Gerges, said his outfit considered it prudent as a local manufacturing industry to give back to society and also support the government in the fight against COVID-19.

    Mr Kubachua expressed appreciation to their benefactors for the support, saying “to think about the deaf community is a great efforts; you have done what others could not do.”

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • GPHA suspends high-risk ships, port tours and academic internship

    Following the declaration of the COVID-19 a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), and Ghana recording 24 cases, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has decided to suspend all port tours by schools and organisations with immediate effect.

    It is also liaising with shipping agents to identify all high-risk vessels that may be coming into the country for the necessary precautionary actions to be taken.

    Already, the Authority, in consultation with agents of cruise vessels, has advised the postponement of all cruise ships scheduled to take berth at the Ports of Tema and Takoradi and assured the public that all other high-risk vessels would be treated with the same urgency.

    This was in a statement issued and signed by Mrs Esther Gyebi-Donkor, General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Affairs of the GPHA.

    It called on students who wished to undertake their internship with the Authority to hold on until further notice and advised them to avoid coming to the offices for such opportunities based on health and safety reasons.

    The statement said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visits to patients admitted to the GPHA health facilities in Tema and Takoradi would be strictly regulated and urged family members and loved ones to bear with the medical teams while they did their best to care for the patients.

    It said there was no immediate threat to the Port community but the action had been taken out of caution to prevent the spread of the virus and safeguard the health of its stakeholders and the public.

    The Port Authority would continue with its sensitisation exercise of users and stakeholders and encouraged everyone to follow the precautionary measures, the statement said.

    It gave the assurance that port tours and other public-spirited assignments would resume when conditions were favourable.

    Source: GNA

  • NHIA owes no health facility a year’s arrears in Volta Region

    Joseph Homenya, Volta Regional Director of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has said the Authority was working to ensure that all accredited health facilities were paid their claims on time.

    He said the Authority consistently paid claims, and that with the Government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo paying the over GH¢ 1.2 billion arears it inherited, the past two or three years could be described as the “best times” of the NHIS.

    Mr Homenya was reacting to a statement by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Region, accusing government of “peddling untruth about NHIS payments”.

    Mr Homenya said most facilities had been paid up to July 2019, and that none had claims accumulated for a year.

    “If we owe any facility, it should be in the range of four months. We even made some payments last week”, he said.

    The Director said the Authority remained committed to effective health delivery in the Region, and called on all to exercise restraint as Government worked round the clock to resource health facilities.

    The NDC in their statement said, the majority of NHIS accredited facilities in the Region had since January 2019, not been paid their claims, leaving them under resourced to deliver crucial services especially during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

    “We can say on authority that upon our investigations, the President and the Finance Minister peddled serious untruth to Ghanaians, because majority of accredited NHIS facilities in the Volta Region have not been paid by the Government since January 2019 to date as claimed”, the statement signed by Kafui Agleze, Regional Communications Officer and copied to the Ghana News Agency said.

    Source: businessghana.com

  • PURC condemns recent power outages

    The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has condemned the recent power outages and voltage fluctuations being experienced by electricity consumers in various parts of the country in the past weeks.

    The utilities regulator has noted it is monitoring and examining the situation to identify the cause of the challenge to ensure that utility service providers deliver quality service to Ghanaians.

    In a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the PURC, Mami Dufie Ofori, the Commission assured consumers that appropriate regulatory actions would be taken against any utility in the power value chain found to be noncompliant with regulatory standards and benchmarks.

    The Commission urged affected consumers to submit complaints including grievances over damaged electrical appliances to the utility service provider in the first instance.

    The statement continued, “If such grievances are not resolved, complainants can forward them to any PURC offices in their respective areas for investigation and redress.”

    Source: goldstreetbusiness.com

  • Todays newspapers front pages

    Source: backend.theindependentghana.com

  • Sanitise your hands before I give you my license Driver tells police officer

    A police officer got the shock of her life when a driver she stopped by the road, insisted she sanitized her hands before he would hand over his license for inspection.

    The incident which was caught on camera showed the police officer with a straight face as she repeatedly ordered the driver to present his license.

    “Please can I inspect your license?” she asked.

    The driver, who is heard saying he is a staff of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) gently told the officer that he has the license but will only heed to the order on condition she sanitized her hands.

    “Kindly sanitize your hands before I give my license to you,” he said.

    This incident comes on the back of the Coronavirus outbreak in the country.

    Among measures citizens have been advised to take to prevent contracting the disease, which has claimed over 10,000 lives worldwide, is to ensure that their hands are always clean either by washing with soap and water or using a sanitizer.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Nigeria shuts Lagos and Abuja airports as 10 new cases are confirmed

    The Nigerian Government has announced the closure of both the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja from Monday, March 23.

    This is coming minutes after the FG confirmed an increase in the country’s coronavirus cases from 12 to 22 on Saturday.

    Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Musa Nuhu, said in a statement that domestic flight operations would continue normally in all airports in the country.

    Nuhu stated that the 32-days closure would end on April 23, adding that emergency and essential flights could be operated from any of the airports within the period.

    He said the closure of international flight operations at the Lagos and Abuja airports are in addition to the three other international airports in Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt shut for flight operations on Saturday.

    He said, “Further to our earlier letter on the restriction of international flights into Nigeria, we wish to inform you that effective Monday, 23rd March at 2300Z to 23rd April at 2300Z, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos (DNMM) and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja (DNAA) will be closed to all international flights.

    “This is in addition to the closure of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano (DNKN); Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu (DNEN); and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa (DNPO) effective Saturday, 21 March at 2300Z.

    “Henceforth, all airports in Nigeria are closed to all incoming international flights with the exception of emergency and essential flights.

    “Domestic flights will continue normal operations at all airports.”

    Source: mynigeria.com

  • Rwanda imposes shutdown, suspends ‘unnecessary movements’

    Rwanda has suspended all “unnecessary movements” outside the home and clamped down on travel across its borders, in one of the toughest measures yet imposed in sub-Saharan Africa to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

    “Unnecessary movements and visits outside the home are not permitted,” the government announced in a statement late Saturday, excusing trips for healthcare, food, or banking.

    All borders are closed except for the passage of goods and cargo and returning Rwandan citizens, read the statement, which also announced the closure of all but the most essential markets and restrictions on travel between cities and districts.

    Rwanda as of Saturday had recorded 17 confirmed cases of coronavirus, the highest number in the East Africa region.

    All commercial flights to the country had already been suspended, and all bars closed.

    Anyone arriving in Rwanda will be subject to 14 day quarantine at designated locations.

    International visitors for tourism and trade shows are a major source of revenue for Rwanda and the capital Kigali in particular, which markets itself as an attractive location for global conferences.

    But authorities moved quickly to curb fears of a coronavirus outbreak, banning large outdoor events such as concerts and political gatherings before the country had even confirmed a case of the illness.

    Source: AFP.com

  • Coronavirus: Libya’s Haftar forces enforce night curfew

    Forces loyal to Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar have been deployed to enforce a night curfew imposed since Wednesday in anticipation of an outbreak of the new Coronavirus in the war-torn country.

    The parallel government controlling eastern Libya imposed a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., excluding security and emergency personnel, to stop any spread of the Coronavirus, its interior ministry said in a statement.

    Libya has not yet confirmed any cases of the virus, but both its internationally recognized government in Tripoli and the rival one in Benghazi have imposed tight restrictions on travel over the crisis.

    Fighting between the rival forces remains deadlocked as no side is making any headway in the conflict that has killed hundreds and displaced thousands of people from their homes.

    Eastern Libyan General Khalifa Haftar in April 2019 launched an offensive to take over Tripoli but his push for the capital city has been thwarted by forces loyal to the United Nations recognised government.

    Source: africanews.com

  • 7 key things from Akufo-Addo’s coronavirus address

    President Nana Akufo-Addo on Saturday addressed the nation on the latest measures his administration had taken to protect Ghanaians against the spread of the Coronavirus.

    Confirmed coronavirus cases surged past 300,000 globally over the weekend, infections and fatalities are soaring across Europe. In Africa, lockdowns have began as cases rise above 1,000.

    In Ghana, 21 cases of the contagion has been recorded and one person, a Lebanese, dying.

    Below are 7 key things the president said in his address to the nation

    Ghana has recorded 18 cases (now 21 cases) and one death

    18 patients doing well. Eight of the patients in isolation at their homes.

    50,000 COVID-19 test kits procured

    Closure of Ghana’s land, sea and air borders to human traffic being Sunday midnight

    Contracting tracing of all persons who came into contact with infected people as well as testing them for the virus.

    Mobilizing retired health workers to help in the fight against COVID-19

    Seeking the face of God by declaring Wednesday March 25 as national fasting and prayer day.

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Agogo Hospital receives support from Salt Media GH

    Management of Salt Media GH has donated washing and sanitary materials to the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital to support the center in the wake of the Covid-19 virus outbreak across the world.

    The items were submitted on behalf of the CEO, Ohene Kwame Frimpong to senior staff and nurses of the hospital, who expressed excitement for the generous gesture.

    The items donated included Smart Sanitizers, Detergents, Soaps, Veronica buckets and other cleaning materials.

    Presenting the items, one of the representatives of Salt Media GH, said the donation was made to support the hospital in its efforts to treat and stop the spread of the virus should a case be reported in the community.

    Ghana as at Saturday 21st March had recorded 21 cases of the novel Corona virus with one death.

    The Ministry of Health has disclosed that most of the patients are currently responding to treatments and tracing of persons who they may have come into contact with is underway.

    The management of Agogo Hospital also appealed to other donors to come to their aid as the hospital urgently needs testing kits, gloves, masks, and other key items to take care of patients.

    Source: Kelly Nii Lartey Mensah, Contributor

  • Coronavirus: 18 patients responding to treatment

    One person out of the 19 persons who had earlier on tested positive for COVID-19 died in the early hours of Saturday, March 21, due to the patient’s serious underlying health complications.

    The rest are doing well and responding to treatment, with eight of them being managed from their homes, in isolation.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced this on Saturday night in his third national broadcast to update the nation on COVID-19 in the country.

    However, shortly after the national broadcast, the official Ghana Health Service website updated the total case count, reporting two more cases to make it 21, with one death.

    The President said the health authorities had also begun contact tracing to test all those who had come into contact with the affected persons.

    Fifty thousand (50,000 ) additional test kits, which had been ordered, the President announced, were expected soon to augment those in existence for effective diagnosis.

    The health authorities were also mobilising new and retired health professionals to deal with the disease.

    He urged the public to strictly comply with the prescribed health protocols and preventive measures – washing of hands with soap under running water; covering one’s mouth when coughing and sneezing; avoiding handshakes; and frequently using alcohol-based sanitizers.

    Citizens should also eat healthily and have enough sleep to enhance their immune system.

    Additionally, the President asked citizens to seek the face of God and declared a national day of fasting and prayers on Wednesday, March 25, to ask God’s intervention to curb the spread of the virus.

    The Government has earmarked the cedi equivalent of $100 million to implement its preparedness and response plan, part of which would be used for the construction of critical health facilities, procurement of materials and supplies, as well as for public education.

    All the measures being taken, the President said, were geared towards achieving five key objectives.

    They are; limiting and stopping the importation of the virus; containing the spread of the virus; providing adequate care for the sick; limiting the impact of the virus on social and economic lives; and inspiring the expansion of the domestic capability to deepen self reliance.

    The pandemic has, so far, claimed more than 10,000 lives and affected over 200,000 people globally.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Health ministry seeks more hands to combat spread

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has announced that the Ministry of Health (MOH) is mobilising new and retired health professionals to augment Ghana’s preparedness and response in managing the COVID-19 outbreak.

    He said it had become necessary to put these additional measures in place to beef up the strength should there be a surge in the number of confirmed cases of infection in the coming days or weeks.

    In a national broadcast on Saturday night to update citizens on the COVID-19 situation, the President said 50, 000 additional test kits had been ordered and were due to arrive in the country very soon.

    More Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) were also being procured to beef-up supplies for frontline health workers.

    It was heartening, he said, the number of healthcare professionals who had come forward to offer their services.

    He commended the entrepreneurs who had positively responded to the crisis by producing greater quantities of sanitizers and ‘Veronica Buckets’.

    He appealed to members of the pharmaceutical industry to scale up their domestic production of pharmaceutical products, saying the government would do its best to support them.

    The President thanked all essential service providers for their support and commitment towards the common goal of suppressing the spread of the COVID-19 infections.

    He said there would be a constant review of the measures announced, and if necessary, enhanced.

    Ghana had recorded 21 confirmed cases, with one confirmed death, as at 2115 hours on Saturday, March 21, 2020.

    President Akufo-Addo urged the MOH not to only step up contact tracing, but to also ensure that all persons who had come into contact with any person who had tested positive to also get tested.

    He stated that the cases of localized infections required all persons to maintain strict self discipline, and to continue the practice of the prescribed social distancing and enhanced protocols in all aspects of their daily lives.

    These include frequent handwashing with soap under running water, or the use of alcohol-based hand rub, avoiding shaking of hands and unnecessary close body contact.

    The President pleaded with all citizens to comply with these measures, saying their survival was in their own hands.

    Source: GNA

  • Missing Sogakope police AK 47 rifle surprisingly surfaces at Sarpeiman in Accra

    A police rifle loaded with about 30 rounds of ammunition and nine extra rounds that went missing at Sogakope Charge Office in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region has been found at Sarpeiman near Amasaman in Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.

    The weapon, it would be recalled, got missing on March 7, 2020 and two police officers, Lance Corporal Sarfo and one Constable Yeboah Charles were arrested and detained to assist in the investigation.

    Latest information gathered by MyNewsGh.com has revealed that the rifle with Number 5426 without magazine was last Thursday found at Sarpeiman.

    Police reveal that a resident at Wachild Estate (name withheld) visited the station with the weapon and explained that he exited his uncompleted room to use the washroom outside and spotted a thief in his compound.

    He raised an alarm and pursued the thief who was at a distance but the suspect left the rifle on the ground and bolted. He, therefore, brought the rifle to the station

    Police indicated that they proceeded to the scene and a brown magazine with 25 rounds of ammunition was retrieved and retained for further investigations.

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Coronavirus: Tourism activities suspended at Wli Waterfalls

    Tourism activities including meetings and visitations to the Wli Waterfalls in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region have been suspended until further notice due to the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

    The suspension also includes funeral and marriage ceremonies in the Wli Traditional Area for the next four weeks, unless it is a private burial service, which should not have more than 25 people in attendance.

    A statement signed by Togbega Lo I, Paramount Chief of Wli Traditional Area, said the 2020 Easter Monday and Tuesday activities had also been suspended with immediate effect as part of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

    The Wli Waterfalls, which cascades from a height of about 80m, is mostly visited on holidays and festive occasions including Easter Mondays.

    In December 2019, more than 400 individuals and 30 groups of people both local and foreign, visited the Waterfalls in the Hohoe Municipality on Boxing Day.

    In a separate development, the Plant Quarantine Service of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture at Wli Border Post had directed for the confinement of ruminants at Wli Afegame and the Border.

    The directive was to safeguard public health, agriculture and the environment and tasked that “all stray and or estray ruminants or animals be kept in strict confinement without any excuse.”

    Source: GNA

  • Fisheries Commission urges fishmongers to adopt personal hygiene

    In the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Fisheries Commission has admonished fishers and fishmongers to adopt personal hygiene to ward off the disease.

    Fishmongers who travel from place to place to sell their fish must wash their hands frequently where there is soap and water available, use tissue to cover their mouths and nose when coughing or sneezing and use hand sanitizers.

    Madam Rebecca Sackey-Mensah, an officer at the Marine Fisheries Management Division in Accra, gave the advice at the Fisheries Closed Season Stakeholders Dialogue at Agona-Nkwanta in the Ahanta-West Municipality.

    The dialogue afforded the stakeholders the opportunity to solicit views on the ideal month for this year’s closed season.

    The Fisher to Fisher Dialogue is being sponsored by the USAID.

    Madam Sackey-Mensah said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had identified the scourge as a pandemic and said as preventive measures were adopted during the Ebola outbreak, same must be done to mitigate the Coronavirus in the country.

    She advised fishmongers, fishers and other stakeholders to avoid handshakes and observe all the precautionary measures as directed by the President.

    The Western Regional Director of Fisheries, Professor Godfrey Baidoo-Tsibu, warned that the use of DDT and Dynamite among other things for fishing made fishes toxic, which could kill consumers.

    Mr Abaka Edu, the Secretary, Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC), said to ensure a successful Closed Season, which was the spawning period of the fish stock, it behoved on the Government to ban the trawlers on the high seas, who destroyed the juvenile fishes.

    Madam Henrietta Eyison, the Municipal Chief Executive of Ahanta-West, whose speech was read on her behalf, asked the fishermen to sacrifice in the short term and gain in the long term by allowing the juvenile fishes to grow.

    She said the Government would dialogue with fishermen on how best to leverage on pre-mix fuel to boost fishing activities in the country to ensure food security.

    Madam Eyison tasked the fishermen to pay their dues to make the association flourish.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Ghana closes ports, KIA

    Ghana has shut down all of its borders and entry ports following the coronavirus outbreak.

    The country has recorded twenty-one cases of the outbreak.

    Addressing the nation on Saturday, President Akufo-Addo said: “All our borders; by land, sea and air, will be closed to human traffic for the next two weeks beginning midnight on Sunday”

    “Everyone who comes into the country before Sunday will be mandatorily quarantined and tested for the virus,” he announced.

    “Fellow Ghanaians”, the President noted, “All that the government is doing is intended to achieve five key objectives: limit and stop the importation of the virus, contain its spread, provide adequate care for the sick, limit the impact of the virus on social and economic life, and inspire the expansion of our domestic capabilities and deepen our self-reliance.”

    “The Ministry of health is mobilising new and retired healthcare professionals to augment our preparedness in dealing with a possible surge in infections. It is heartening to hear the number of retired healthcare professionals who have stepped forward to offer their services,” he said.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Mad rush for sanitizers as philanthropist distributes them for free

    The crave for hand sanitizers in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic manifested Friday morning when residents of Dagomba Line, a Muslim community in the Asokore Mampong Municipality, rushed for the product as a native of the community distributes them for free.

    Mr Ali Suraj, the Philanthropist, was virtually mobbed in the desperate attempt by residents to secure the sanitizers, which has been in high demand since Ghana recorded its first case of the coronavirus.

    No amount of persuasion to calm them that the product was in abundance would make them retreat, thereby creating a chaotic scene throughout the exercise.

    The residents could not hide their joy for having access to one of the basic products needed for self-protection against the dreaded disease.

    They told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the sudden hike in price of sanitizers had denied some of them access to the product.

    “We are very grateful to Ali Suraj for this timely intervention since most of us cannot afford the sanitizers due to the increase in prices,” Jamal Abubakar, a resident, said.

    He praised the Philanthropist for going to the aid of his people and called on others to emulate his example to help protect the less-privileged in society.

    Mr Suraj said he decided to give back to his community to protect those who could not afford the sanitizers, having lived there for many years.

    He said it was important to target the vulnerable in society to ensure they were also protected against the disease, and that no one must be left behind in the preventive efforts being made by all stakeholders.

    Mr Suraj, who took the opportunity to educate the people on the dangers of the COVID-19, entreated them to adhere to all safety measures.

    Source: GNA

  • Hospitality industry reinforces coronavirus safety measures

    Businesses in the hospitality industry in Accra have reinforced safety measures in line with both local and global health directives to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

    A visit to some hospitality centres by Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Tuesday saw a dramatic adjustment of frontline operations, as some of the hotels, restaurants, fast food and indigenous food joints have all introduced measures to protect staff and patrons.

    All of the hotels visited, which included Tang Palace Hotel, Marriot Hotel, Alisa Hotel, Holiday Inn, Africa Regent, Airport View, AH Hotel, Airport West, Tomreik Hotel, Green Oak Hotel, and East Gate among others, had instituted COVID-19 safety measures.

    Some of the safety measures included provision of hand sanitizers at the frontage for people to use before entering, provision of gloves and masks for staff and public education posters placed at vantage points.

    GNA observed that at the Buka Restaurant as well as other centres, in addition to the provision of hand sanitizers, they had adopted social distancing sitting arrangement to ensure that customers were protected. “We have also detailed a staff whose duty is to sanitize all door handles and other surfaces every 30 minutes to ensure that any particles or droplets are cleared immediately,” an official told GNA.

    Many of the managers told GNA that COVID-19 was having a major impact on their business as customers continued to cancel conferences and other social events booked earlier.

    “The hotel industry is in distress, as our source of income is dwindling at a fast rate, our overhead costs has increased astronomically as the issues of sanitizers, gloves and masks has become a major commodity on our purchasing list, which we never anticipated or budgeted for,” a manager said.

    Other hotels have already started cutting down staff whilst others are monitoring the business environment for the next four weeks to adopt appropriate measures on the management of staff.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Coronavirus cases rise to 19 in Ghana

    Three more confirmed cases of the global pandemic, coronavirus have been recorded in the Greater Accra Regional capital, Accra and Ashanti Region.

    Three (3) new COVID-19 cases confirmed on the 20th March 2020. Two were reported from Greater Accra Region and one from Ashanti Region.

    1. 55-year-old Ghanaian woman; resident of the UK; returned to Ghana within two weeks; sample confirmed positive in the laboratory

    2. 84-year-old Ghanaian lady resident of the United Kingdom; came back to Ghana within the past two (2) weeks; developed symptoms and sample confirmed positive in the laboratory

    3. 27-year-old Chinese male; returned to Ghana (Ashanti Region) in the past two weeks; developed symptoms and sample confirmed positive in the laboratory.

    This brings to a total of nineteen (19) confirmed cases in Ghana, with no death. Contact tracing has started in all these confirmed cases.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • MTN takes precautionary steps against virus

    MTN focuses on network continuity and takes precautionary steps to safeguard its employees, suppliers and customers from Covid-19

    MTN Ghana has implemented a series of precautionary measures to ensure continuity of services and the safety of its stakeholders including employees, customers, communities and suppliers following official confirmation of COVID-19 cases in Ghana and subsequent directives by the state to control the spread of the disease.

    A key priority for MTN is to ensure that customers experience the best network connectivity to undertake their business activities and connect with friends and family in this period of limited social interactions and distancing.

    In line with safety measures, MTN has provided temperature guns at MTN facilities, as an early detection method for testing body temperature. MTN has also enhanced hygiene measures including the easy access to hand sanitizers in all its offices. In addition, MTN has placed restrictions on all international travel and also reducing, wherever possible, domestic travel, as the company continue to monitor the situation.

    Customers have been encouraged to use the digital channels for customer service support (Twitter @MTNGhana/ @AskMTNGhana, on Facebook MTNGhana, WhatsApp 0554300000, 0555300000, live chat from mtn.com.gh and email customercare.GH@mtn.com). The use of Mobile Money for financial transactions are also being encouraged.

    Commenting on the developments, the CEO of MTN, Mr Selorm Adadevoh said, “Our customers are very important to us and even more so in these times. We have already started several communications through various channels to give them updates on the Corona virus and personal hygiene tips on how to manage the virus. We will continue to support broad customer education and awareness through our platforms and where possible we are partnering with the Ministry of Health to support their response efforts. In due course we will advise of any other customer support initiatives we come up with.

    We encourage our employees, stakeholders and customers to remain calm and take the necessary precautions as outlined by the medical fraternity to minimise the spread of the virus”.

    Additionally, MTN is playing a key role in the implementation of some key initiatives undertaken by the telecoms industry to educate and share information on the pandemic. They include the broadcast of safety tips on COVID -19 via Caller Tunez service for all customers.

    Further to these, MTN is working closely with our regulators, Telecoms Chamber and by extension Bank of Ghana on some few initiatives to promote digital payments.

    COVID-19 is, unquestionably, testing our society. We continue to monitor the global situation closely and strictly adhere to the recommendations of relevant international authorities such as the World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Health, MTN CEO said.

    Source: MTN Ghana

  • Coronavirus: Bring your knowledge to bear Pharmacists told

    The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSHG) has told all its members to bring their pharmaceutical knowledge and expertise to bear in the fight against the coronavirus infection.

    Ghana has recorded sixteen cases of the coronavirus outbreak as at Friday Morning, March 20.

    A statement issued by the group said: “As the professional body of pharmacists, PSHG has continued to reach out to its membership on the appropriate measures to take to contribute professionally towards mitigating the spread of the COVID-19.

    “Community pharmacies (and pharmacists) are often the first port of call within the healthcare system for most people with health-related concerns or simply in need of information or reliable advice.”

    “We call on the government to provide the needed and appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for the use of community pharmacy practitioners. This will enable them to discharge their duties professionally and reduce the risk of infection.

    “The PSGH is collaborating with the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana (PMAG) to make available locally prepared sanitizers in bulk to community pharmacies.

    “The PHGS is also engaging and collaborating with small scale pharmaceutical manufacturers to prepare alcohol-based hand sanitizers for supply to community pharmacies.

    “All pharmacists are also entreated to bring their pharmaceutical knowlegedge and expertise to bear in these critical times and extemporaneously prepare safe and efficacious alcohol-based hand sanitizers for use by various facilities, staff, personnel and the general public.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Active mobile money accounts hit 14.7 million

    Registered mobile money accounts as at the end of February 2020 was 32.7 million.

    This was 0.30% growth over the January 2020 estimate of 32.6 million consumers.

    According to the Summary of Financial and Economic Data, active mobile money accounts was estimated at 14.7 million in February, 2020. This is an increase of 4% over that of January 2020 figure.

    This means that many more people are undertaking banking transactions electronically.

    Registered agents were also estimated at 324,000 at the end of February 2020.

    In February 2020, the total number of transactions was estimated at GHS193 million whilst the total value of transactions was GHS30.1 billion.

    With respect to the clearance of cheques, GHS14.0 billion was cleared in February 2020, lower than the January 2020 figure of GHS15.5 billion.

    Regarding ezwich transactions, an estimated 965, 000 transactions took place in February 2020, representing a total value of GHS772.3 million.

    This is against 957,000 transactions, representing a total value of GHS589.4 million

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Santol Energy sensitizes motorists

    As part of its corporate drive to support the wellbeing of customers and the general public, amidst the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Santol Energy is embarking on a public health campaign to give away free hand sanitizers to drivers and passengers.

    In addition to this, the indigenous Ghanaian owned oil marketing company (OMC) has also announced a reduction in prices of products at all fuel stations across the country in line with the drop in global crude prices, as countermeasures continue frantically to help contain and stop the spread of COVID-19 goes on.

    From this moment a litre of petrol is now selling at GHS4.85 cedis per litre, down from GHS5.25 a litre, at all Santol Energy outlets across the country, being one of the lowest on the market and these prices are predicted to drop.

    The Chief Executive of Santol Energy, Alhaji Fareed Amin Yakubu, said: “We find it dutiful to keep Ghanaians healthy and help fight the coronavirus pandemic.”

    He noted that it is critical that everyone commits to measures put in place to avoid becoming infected, especially as the number of cases in the country rises. The country has so far recorded 11 confirmed cases, according to the Ministry of Health

    It is against this backdrop that he explained that the provision of the free sanitizers to motorists, transport unions and Police officials on the street while it forms part of efforts to help in the fight against the deadly coronavirus pandemic is also intended to reduce the hoarding and racketeering of the sanitizers.

    “As for the reduction in the prices of fuel, it has always been our delight to provide our cherished customers with the lowest and most competitive prices on the market while still maintaining the product quality,” Alhaji Amin Yakubu noted.

    Moreover, all Santol Energy outlets also provide ‘clean fuel and friendly service’ to its customers under hygienic conditions with strict safety protocols against the coronavirus pandemic.

    Mr Micheal Wepeba, who is the marketing manager revealed, Drivers, passengers and their customers can be assured of good hand-washing practices with soap under running water. Drivers on a long-distance journey are to anticipate getting a promo food pack whilst those with long trailers and buses will get their trucks washed for free at our new state of the station located at Gomoa Mpota in the central region, as drivers take a nap before they continue their long journey.

    Santol Energy, one of the burgeoning Oil companies in the downstream sector has been meticulous in its service delivery with strict adherence to safety regulations outlined by the regulator.

    It only recently received the ISO certification which is a testimony of the company’s reliability for business, productiveness and consumer satisfaction.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Ministry of Transport donates items to transport operators

    The Ministry of Transport on Friday donated a quantity of sanitary items to some road transport operating companies, with a call from Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, the Sector Minister, to the operators not to abuse the privilege granted them to carry more than 25 passengers on a vehicle.

    Following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana, Government has announced a number of measures including not more than 25 persons at a place at a time, a directive which the transport companies are being allowed not to do with for now.

    The Minister reminded the transport operators as well as transport owners to always keep their vehicles clean.

    Mr Asiamah said the coronavirus puts everybody at risk and that was why the Ministry as a partner is providing the items so that all would sanitize before getting on vehicles.

    He urged the transport operators to keep a manifest of passengers on a vehicle for recording their details as their names, addresses, travelling route, plan and destinations to make the tracking of vehicles easier.

    The items donated, all amounting to GH¢100,000.00 were made up of 200 Veronica buckets, 200 plastic bowls, 800 pieces of hand sanitizers, 400 bottles of Dettol, 400 bottles of liquid soap, 400 rolls of tissue paper and 300 pen drives.

    The Ministry donated also an undisclosed amount of money.

    The beneficiary transport operators were the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC), Metro Mass Transport, InterCity STC, VIP, Ghana Committed, Uber and Bolt.

    Mr Ernest “Adakabre” Frimpong Manso, General Manager of VIP Jeoun Transport Company Limited, acting as spokesperson for the transport operators, thanked the Ministry for the kind gesture.

    He announced that the transport operators have put in a number of interventions in the wake of the corona virus scare, they are still maintaining their old fares.

    Mr Frimpong Manso urged all to cooperate to win the fight against the disease.

    Source: GNA

  • Farmers appeal to government to complete Pai Katanga warehouse

    Farmers in Pai Katanga in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region, have appealed to government to complete work on a warehouse project in the District.

    The 1000-metric tonnes grains capacity warehouse under Government’s “One District, One Warehouse” programme, which started in 2018, was said to have come to a standstill due to lack of funds.

    The facility is expected to provide farmers at Pai Katanga and its environs opportunity to avoid post-harvest loses.

    Some farmers who spoke to Ghana News Agency (GNA) said due to the lack of such a facility, they preserved yams in pits or in sheds, or sometimes forced to sell them early at cheaper prices to avoid getting them rotten.

    Mr Sey Kwasi, the Municipal Best Farmer, 2019, told GNA that farmers in the Krachi East were happy about the project but were getting disappointed as the project had stalled.

    Mr Patrick Chartey Jilima, the Municipal Chief Executive, in an interview with GNA said his outfit was putting the necessary measures in place to ensure that work resumed soon.

    Source: GNA

  • 5 more coronavirus cases in Ghana send tally to 16

    Sixteen cases of the novel coronavirus have been recorded in Ghana.

    Three of the five new cases have no travel history.

    According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS), all five were reported from the Greater Accra Region.

    The first new case is a 29-year-old Ghanaian lady who is a resident of Accra who has no history of travel.

    The second case is a 34-year-old Ghanaian lady also resident in Accra. The patient is a contact of a confirmed case at a place of work; sample confirmed positive in the laboratory.

    A 53-year-old Ghanaian male is the third confirmed case. He is resident in Tema with no travel history. GHS said there was no evidence of close contact with confirmed case and sample confirmed positive in the laboratory.

    — 41-year-old Ghanaian male; arrived in Ghana by KLM on the 15 March 2020; indicated exposure with family members in Amsterdam exhibiting respiratory symptoms and also on the flight with some passengers sneezing and coughing; sample confirmed positive in the laboratory.

    — 36-year-old Ghanaian male; resident of Paris, France; date of arrival in Ghana unconfirmed; no evidence of contact with infected person;

    This brings to a total of sixteen (16) confirmed cases in Ghana, with no death.

    Source: MyJoyOnline.com

  • 2 pastors escape death after fire guts their vehicle

    Two pastors of The Church of Pentecost in the Hohoe area were saved from death after fire gutted their vehicle, a Toyota Highlander with registration number WR 1381-11 on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.

    The duo, Ernest Wisdom Worlanyo of Tokurano district and Henry Haywood of Dormaabin district were on their way to a meeting at Hohoe.

    According to Pastor Worlanyo, who was driving the vehicle, when they reached the Asukawkaw Mountains on the Tokurano-Hohoe stretch, he sensed a strange scent in the vehicle. He said he parked the vehicle and realized that there was fire beneath the car. Immediately they alighted from the vehicle, the central lock system of the vehicle got locked.

    As they tried with a fire extinguisher to put out the fire, other commuters came to the scene with fire extinguishers to help but to no avail.

    He said the people thought turning the vehicle to its side could have given a better view of the starting point of the fire and then put it out.

    However, immediately the vehicle was turned to its side, the wind increased and the fire engulfed the whole vehicle, burning it beyond recognition.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • NIA official arrested for registering people at night

    A Registration Supervising Officer of the National Identification Authority(NIA) has been arrested by the Suhum Police for illegally registering applicants Thursday night.

    The suspect, Richard Kudjo Pinto,37, was arrested at the Adarkwa Station area around 8:30 pm.

    The suspect who is a teacher by Profession and the Supervising Registration Officer at Kuano Church of Pentecost registration centre in the Coaltar District was arrested with documents of the National Identification Authority.

    According to the Police, 27 pieces of National Identity Card Application forms with one bearing the name and particulars of Otubea Rebecca, 12 pieces of Oath of Identity Form with 4 pieces bearing the names of Opoku Mabel, Martey Ebenezer, Lomotey Christiana Tetteh and Korkor Comfort and an Instructions Manual for registration and card issuance were retrieved.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command, DSP Ebenezer Tetteh, who confirmed the incident said, the suspect upon interrogation claimed that the applicants he was registering could not register when they turned up at the registration centre earlier during the day and so he decided to document their particulars to facilitate their registration the next day.

    He said the suspect has been detained while efforts are underway to arrest other accomplices whose names have been mentioned.

    The ongoing mass registration exercise by the NIA despite the Presidential directives in the wake of coronavirus has come under strong criticisms by some Ghanaians and Associations. The Ghana Medical Association, Commission on Rights and Administrative Justice have all urged the NIA to suspend the exercise.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Akufo-Addo, NIA boss must be held responsible for any coronavirus case in E/R – Afriyie Ankrah

    Director of Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Elvis Afriyie Ankrah says President Akufo-Addo together with Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Prof Kenneth Attafuah must be held responsible for any case of coronavirus in the Eastern Region.

    According to him, the NIA is an agency under President Akufo-Addo and that the President has knowledge of all activities the NIA involves in, including the Ghana Card registration.

    Following the rapid spread of the pandemic in the country as cases recorded currently hits 11, the Ghana Medical Association in a statement yesterday called on the NIA to suspend with immediate effect the ongoing mass registration exercise in the Eastern Region indicating that it was in the interest of public health and safety to suspend the exercise.

    However, in a radio interview today, the Eastern Regional Minister, Eric Kwakye Daffour said the ongoing Ghana Card registration in the region will continue despite warnings to suspend it.

    He argued that registration is regarded as an essential service therefore it cannot be halted.

    But responding to the development in a radio interview today, monitored by primenewsghana.com, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah stated that the President together with Ken Attafuah must be held responsible if a case of Covid-19 is recorded in the Eastern Region

    ”If there is an outbreak beyond this the President should be held accountable together with Ken Attafuah. People should be held accountable because this is no joke. It’s between life and death. If the President has stated measures and an agency under him is doing the contrary, wouldn’t he call them to order? This thing has the potential of causing a big problem for us”

    He further indicated that “Let’s be practical and stop propaganda. Ghanaians will struggle to get their ID cards done and before 25 people will be selected there will be disagreement. For instance, if 25 people are selected out of 300 people, social distancing will not be observed. Lives of Ghanaians are been endangered. NIA is directly under the authority President. So the President cannot tell me that he has no knowledge of what is going on”.

    Meanwhile, two Ghanaians have sued the National Identification Authority (NIA) over their decision to keep the mass registration exercise ongoing despite the Presidential directive against public gathering in the wake of coronavirus.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Todays newspapers front pages

     

    Source: backend.theindependentghana.com

  • Stacy Amewoyi talks about dedicating her life to helping orphans & street kids

    Businesswoman and philanthropist Stacy Amewoyi has spoken at length about the plight of orphans and street kids in the country.

    During an interview on Ride & Chat – a new lifestyle and entertainment program on tmghlive – she made the revelation about her work with the less privileged, whom she has been helping, and shaping their lives for the past twenty years.

    However, she coughs every supportive element from her own pocket, and some somethings drains her dry but according to her, it’s the fulfillment of making these kids happy and knowing they won’t go back to the streets that keep helping hands towards them always.

    Stacy’s work expands from just sharing clothes or foods with orphans and streets kids, she also provides shelters for them at times where they learn handy works like bead-making, sewing and more.

    She discussed the challenges she faces over the years helping these kids get a better standard of life to contribute meaningfully to society.

    Watch the full interview below as hosted on Ride & Chat:

    Source: Tmghlive.com

  • COVID-19: Avoid transacting business with cash Access Bank

    Access Bank has appealed to customers to avoid transacting businesses with cash in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

    The bank has asked customers and the general public to use the mobile app and other electronic platforms to do business in order to reduce the rate of infections.

    Ghana has so far recorded nine cases of the coronavirus which has been declared pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).

    Access Bank in a message to customers said: “Dear Valued Customer, in the wake of COVID-19, we encourage you to observe basic health protocols including the avoidance of cash in transacting business to protect yourself and your families.

    “Use the AccessMobile App, *901# or AccessPay to make payments, transfer money, process salaries and monitor your account.”

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • COVID-19: ExxonMobil to reduce capital and operating expenses

    ExxonMobil says it is looking to significantly reduce spending as a result of market conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and commodity price decreases.

    “Based on this unprecedented environment, we are evaluating all appropriate steps to significantly reduce capital and operating expenses in the near term,” said Darren Woods, chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

    He added, “We will outline plans when they are finalized.”

    Woods further said that ExxonMobil has faced numerous market downturns throughout its long history and has experience operating in a sustained low-price environment. “We remain focused on being a safe, low-cost operator and creating long-term value for shareholders,” said Woods.

    The company is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and has adjusted work arrangements to ensure a healthy work environment and support communities where we operate.

    Woods stressed the company will maintain its ongoing commitment to safety and environmental performance.

    “We are confident that we will manage through these challenging times by taking deliberate action to keep our people safe, our environment protected and our company strong,” said Woods.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Golden Star Resources to invest $10 million to revive Prestea Mine

    Golden Star Resources (GSR), a mining company, says it is investing US$10 million to revive operations at its Prestea Mine and to ensure it is streamlined to become profitable.

    The new capital will be invested in machinery, operation of a second level underground, access development, extensional drilling and other operations to get the mine to the next level and to enhance efficiency.

    Mr Andrew Wray, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Star Resources, said in a press briefing that although there were challenges at the Prestea Mine, the potential was there for it to be successful.

    “Prestea has the potential to be successful. What we believe the site needs is a plan for success and then the methodical execution of that plan,” he said.

    To properly prop up Prestea Mine to deliver, Mr Wray said enough time was spent in the second half of last year re-working the plan for the Mines and to support the team to deliver on the plan.

    “We are now given the team a plan that is achievable and we can then hold them to account,” he said.

    He said because the company was making an upfront investment in Prestea this year, it would be hit with some losses, but the expectation was that the Prestea Mine would be in a position to deliver from 2021 and beyond.

    “So Prestea is a very key focus for us and what that enables us to do, is to ensure that Wassa, which sits on the vast majority of business also gets the proper focus,” Mr Wray said.

    “Prestea is going to stand on its own two feet so that the profit that we generate from Wassa is reinvested in mining, and looking more regionally. “It is almost certain that there are other mines.”

    Apart from the investment in Prestea, Mr Wray said an additional US$45 million would be invested to expand operations at Wassa and to take it to the next level of growth.

    He said the focus was to start investing more in exploration programmes so that the company could deliver on the plans and promises to investors and the markets.

    Mr Wray said in 2018 and 2019 the business fell a little bit short of the guidance and the target it had set for the market largely because of performance at the Prestea Mines.

    He said while the investors knew the company was doing a great job, it was important to retain their trust and confidence in the business through good performance.

    On COVID-19, Mr. Wray said the Company had triggered all contingency measures to make sure production was not affected by coronavirus.

    He added, “As a business that has lived through Ebola, we have clear protocols and programmes in place and are ensuring that we monitor the risk levels and trigger-points.

    “This means protecting the people and the business. We are already screening people on site to ensure they do not pose a risk, and we have an isolation facility on site.”

    Source: GNA