TIG Post

Tag: coronavirus in Ghana

  • Coronavirus: Schools need more facilities Former Vice Chancellor alerts government

    Emeritus Professor Ivan Addae Mensah, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, has proposed to school authorities to reduce the sizes of their classes when schools reopen, as part of the efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Sunday, May 31 announced the reopening of schools for final year students at all levels of education from Monday, June 15.

    He said after an engagement with the various teacher unions, government has decided to allow final-year students to go back to school to prepare for their final examinations.

    In his 10th televised address to the nation on measures taken by government to ease restrictions, President Akufo-Addo said all other levels of education will remain closed to students.

    Final year university students will resume classes on Monday, June 15 while Form 3 Senior High School students, as well as Form 2 SHS students on Gold Track, will reopen on June 22, 2020.

    Junior high school students will reopen on June 29.

    Speaking in an exclusive interview with Alfred Ocansey on Sunrise on 3 92.7FM Tuesday, June 9, Emeritus Prof Addae Mensah said: “Certainly methods of teaching are likely to change, class sizes will need to be minimized.

    “That will mean having more teachers in the classroom, more facilities in the classrooms.

    “Government should be prepared to put in the necessary financial and other resources to make sure that these facilities are provided for the educational institutions.”

    He added: “When it comes to the rural areas you will really have serious challenges especially with children in the basic schools. You can have social distancing or physical distancing in the classrooms but what do you do when they go out during recreation?

    “How can you prevent them from interacting with each other and from chasing each other on the football field?” he quizzed.

     

    Source: 3 News

  • Ghanas coronavirus cases hit 9,910 with 4 new deaths

    Ghana has once again recorded another major surge in coronavirus cases as 271 more people have tested positive for the deadly virus raising the numbers from 9638 to 9910, in barely 24 hours.

    Four more people have also died raising the death toll to 48 from 44.

    Recoveries, per the new updates, did not see any major improvement as only 9 people added up to the previously recorded coronavirus-free cases. The recoveries now stand at 3645.

    Active cases, on the other hand, are now 6,217.

    In terms of the regional breakdown, Ahafo remains the only region with no cases yet while Greater Accra maintains its lead with 6,436 cases.

    Regional breakdown

    Greater Accra Region – 6,436

    Ashanti Region – 1,734

    Western Region – 769

    Central Region – 489

    Eastern Region – 166

    Volta Region – 102

    Western North Region – 74

    Upper East Region – 42

    Northern Region – 37

    Oti Region – 28

    Upper West Region – 22

    Bono East Region – 7

    North East Region – 2

    Savannah Region – 1

    Bono Region – 1

    Ahafo Region – 0

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus chased Kumasi prostitutes away – Ashanti Regional Minister

    The number of commercial sex workers known in local parlance as “Ashawo”, who usually stand on the shoulder of major roads in Kumasi to operate, has significantly reduced lately.

    The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, who made the observation, attributed the sharp drop to two major factors, one of which is the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

    According to him, the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) had also apprehended most of the prostitutes during swoops and that had reduced their number.

    Mr. Osei-Mensah stressed that the security agencies would continue to flush out the rest, that is, those daring to operate since it is illegal.

    “The number of prostitutes that operate in Kumasi, especially those that stand on the shoulder of major roads and wait for their clients has dropped. Clearly, the outbreak of Covid-19, which has killed thousands of people globally, is a contributory factor to the sharp drop in the number of sex workers. Also, REGSEC has carried out a number of swoops, leading to the arrest of most of the sex workers…,” the minister indicated.

    He said most of the sex workers, especially the foreigners, had been deported to their various countries after being nabbed.

    “Before the outbreak of Covid-19, we carried out major swoops and the foreigners that were arrested were sent back to their countries,” he told journalists in Kumasi.

    He expressed delight in the sharp drop in the number of sex workers that operate on the roads, saying “the development has brought some level of decency in the city.”

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Coronavirus: Pastor demands more hours for churches

    The Founder and Leader of Spirit of Fire Ministry Ministries, Prophet Kofi Owusu, has called on the government to ease certain restrictions on churches especially the one-hour church service.

    He said the one-hour church service is too small for a congregation to manage.

    On Sunday, May 31, 2020, President Nana Akufo-Addo announced that religious activities would commence in stages starting from June 5, 2020.

    Despite the government’s decision to ease coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions on social gatherings, some churches have decided not to congregate for church service until further notice.

    However, Prophet Kofi Owusu in an interview with Atinka TV News noted that one hour is too small, although he admitted the church was able to abide by the measures put in place by the government to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

    Source: Atinka FM

  • 177 Germany-based Ghanaians flown back

    Some 177 Ghanaians resident in Germany were on Monday, 8 June 2020 airlifted from Accra back to Germany despite the world grappling with the coronavirus pandemic.

    The Ghanaians, legal residence in the European country, were left stranded in Ghana after the borders were closed to prevent the importation of the coronavirus.

    But on Monday, the German Ambassador to Ghana, Christoph Retzlaff, confirmed the departure of the Ghanaians in a tweet.

    The aircraft arrived in Accra from Riga International Airport in Latvia. Travellers were subjected to strict baggage standards of one check-in baggage of not more than 24 kg and one carry-on bag not exceeding 5 kg.

    The cost per head is 750 Euros.

    The Ghanaians depart as nations have begun to ease restrictions.

    Source: ghanaweb.com

  • ‘We depend on rainwater to wash hands, open water project for us’ – Concerned Youth of Nkroful cry

    Angry residents of Nkroful, the hometown of the first President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region rely on rainwater to wash their hands against the deadly Coronavirus pandemic.

    The only source of drinking water which serves the entire community had been polluted as a result of the ongoing illegal mining (galamsey) activities in the area.

    This River, (Subre River) also serves as a tourist attraction where Dr. Kwame Nkrumah used to bath when he was a child.

    Due to the illegal mining (galamsey) activities that started early this year, the Subre River had been polluted beyond recognition and mixed with poisonous chemicals.

    In the wake of the Coronavirus, Ghana Health Service and World Health Organization (WHO) had been advised Ghanaians to use potable water to wash their hands frequently.

    But a visit to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s hometown by Danie Kaku over the weekend observed that most residents use rainwater and buy pure water to wash their hands and use some to do other domestic things.

    During the visit to the community a water project which could help minimise the situation, had not opened since it was completed.

    This water project was constructed by the Ellembelle District Assembly.

    Some of the residents lamented on the delay in use of the water project since its completion.

    Speaking to the leader of the Concerned Youth of Nkroful on camera, Daniel Johnny bemoaned what crime had Dr. Kwame Nkrumah committed to deserve this embarrassment.

    “We the residents of Nkroful we don’t know what crime Dr. Kwame Nkrumah did to Ghana because if you look at the hometowns of Jerry John Rawlings, President Kufuor, President Atta Mills, President John Mahama and all the former presidents, we have not seen any galamsey activities going on in their towns and it is only the hometown of Kwame Nkrumah that people are doing galamsey and right now it is uncontrollable”, he stated.
    He averred that “We all know that President Akufo-Addo has put ban on galamsey and he even put his presidency on line to fight the canker but when that statement was made, it was then the Chiefs of Nkroful, Teleku-Bokazo and Anwia gave the land to people to do galamsey”.

    He emphasized that they had been informing the District Chief Executive for the area and authorities about the galamsey but he said nothing had been done to stop the menace.

    “We have been informing the DCE and we have informed all authorities and they have decided not to mind us and we informed our Assembly Member and told us he can’t do anything about it”.

    The angry youth leader challenged, “You just look at what they had done to our water body, this River is the only source of drinking water for the entire Community and now that the Coronavirus has come, they are saying we should use water to wash our hands”.

    “We use this stream to do our things but right now they had polluted it and Nkroful as a whole we don’t have any potable water to do our things, we don’t have water to wash our hands”, he worried.

    He added that “We only use pure water (made by water producing companies) to wash our hands when we entered into dry season, we were using pure water to wash our hands because the galamsey had polluted our river”.

    Daniel Johnny stated and claimed that “The only source of water we can use to wash our hands against the Coronavirus when the virus broke into Ghana is the River Subre that the Chief and his Elders have given to people illegal miners”.

    Appeal to open the completed Community Water Project

    The youth leader seized the opportunity to appeal to Authorities to commission the completed water project situated in their market center for public use immediately as possible.

    “Right now, our only hope left is this water project here that we could use to wash our hands against Coronavirus, which was completed last year and had been abandoned”.

    “Right now, we are helpless, we don’t have anywhere to go so we are appealing to Authorities to come and open this water project for us so that we get potable water to wash our hands. Because they had polluted our stream so we also rely on the rainwater, unless it rains so that we can store some and use it to wash our hands and use some too to bath”, he noted.

    He, therefore, concluded by vowing that, “But right now, in case we get the disease (Coronavirus) here, we will blame Nkroful Chief Nana Kwasi Kutuah V, the Assemblyman…and we will put the bigger blame on the DCE Kwasi Bonzoh K because when they started the galamsey we have been informing the DCE and he didn’t mind us, he did not do anything about it”.

    Response

    In a telephone conversation with the Chief of Nkroful, Nana Kwasi Kutuah V who was not around as of the time of filing this report has denied of giving any stool land of Nkroful to some people to do illegal mining on it.

    He emphasized that “We have not given any land to anybody to mine on it and nobody is doing galamsey on Nkroful stool’s land.”

    He said some residents out of hatred wanted to tarnish his image and his elders.

    On Friday’s flood which occurred at Nkroful, the Chief rubbished claims made by some residents that it was caused by the galamsey activities.

    He said the flood was a perennial one and also attributed it to a bridge which links the old town and new town adding that the bridge was too narrow which doesn’t help the water to flow well.

    He, therefore, promised his readiness to construct a carnal to allow the water (Subre River) to have a free flow.

    On his part, the District Chief Executive (DCE) Kwasi Bonzoh pleaded with the residents to remain calm as he was talking with the ECG to the water project a transformer so that the project could be commissioned for public use.

    On the galamsey issue, the DCE reiterated that he was not doing galamsey in the area and promised to flush out the Galamseyers as the Head of the Ellembelle District Security Council.

    Source: Daniel Kaku, Ghanweb Contributor

  • South Sudan vice-president recovers from Covid-19

    South Sudan’s First Vice-President Riek Machar and his wife, Defence Minister Angelina Teny, have recovered from Covid-19, local media report.

    The two tested positive for coronavirus three weeks ago.

    The Sudan Tribune newspaper quoted a statement from Mr Machar’s office as saying that he had been discharged on Saturday “having fully recovered”.

    The statement further said the two government officials have been discharged after the second coronavirus confirmation tests conducted on them returned negative.

    “The two leaders are therefore expected to resume their daily active public office duties anytime soon, hopefully by Monday, 8 June, 2020,” the newspaper quotes the statement as saying.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Nigerian state governor tests positive for coronavirus

    The governor of Nigeria’s Abia State has tested positive for coronavirus and has gone into isolation.

    Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s sample returned a positive test on 4 June, according to an official quoted by local media.

    The governor is reported to have directed his deputy to act on his behalf as he undergoes treatment.

    The south-eastern state has 83 out of about 12,400 confirmed coronavirus cases in Nigeria.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Former athletics chief Lamine Diack’s trial to proceed

    A court in Paris has ruled against delaying the trial of the former head of world athletics Lamine Diack and his son, who is in Senegal.

    Both deny taking bribes to cover up doping by Russian athletes.

    Lawyers for the son, Papa Massata Diack, say essential defence witnesses have been barred from attending due to coronavirus restrictions.

    Senegal has refused to extradite him to France.

    Lamine Diack, 87, led the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for 16 years until 2015.

    He is under house arrest in Paris.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Nyaho Medical Centre MD tests positive for coronavirus

    Managing Director of Nyaho Medical Centre, Dr Elikem Tamaklo, has tested positive to coronavirus.

    The doctor tested positive June 4 and has been isolated.

    His family has been quarantined in line with coronavirus protocols spelt out by the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

    The managing director has said, he was “doing well”.

    Reaching out to his staff in a video, Dr. Tamaklo condemned the stigmatisation of COVID-19 patients.

    “The stigma that some have had to endure is unfair, unfounded and has no basis. Through no fault of their own, they have been exposed to an invisible threat, a virus, and now have to keep focused on their journey to recovery, for themselves, their families and their wider community,” he advised.

    He cautioned the public to desist from flouting any of the COVID-19 protocols.

    The Nyaho medical  centre said Dr Elikem had been working from home, conducting virtual meetings with staff, since March 23.

    The center believes their medical director could not have picked the virus from the health facility. It believes he was infected through community spread.

    The hospital said Dr Tamaklo “was not physically present on the hospital premises, and thus, we can confirm that the exposure was from the community”.

    Spokesperson for the health centre, Rita Agyeiwaa Rockson, explained that the “positive diagnosis has affected his family, but we are happy to say that they are all well”.

    In view of the development, Dr Tamaklo will be taking a leave as Dr. Victoria Lokko, the Medical Director takes charge of the affairs of the clinic.

    Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in Ghana, Nyaho Medical Centre rolled out a programme to test members of the public for the virus.

    Airport branch was liaising the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) to carry out the test.

    However, in the wake of the latest development, the testing services have been suspended until June 9.

    The clinic is therefore not taking any samples until after the stipulated time.

    Source: theghanareport.com

  • Coronavirus slows down banking sector business John Awuah

    Mr John Awuah, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Association of Bankers, has revealed that the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic have slowed down banking business and increased risk of impact on loan performance.

    COVID-19 has had a negative impact on the economy and the banking sector as economic activities had taken a downturn with growth projected to be 1.5 per cent compared to an earlier outlook of 6.5 per cent for 2020, he said.

    Mr Awuah explained that some sectors of the economy have had zero cash inflows during the pendency of the pandemic especially Aviation, hotels and resorts, bars and restaurants.

    Mr Awuah said this at the Second Edition of Webinars organised by Integrity Magazine, a subsidiary of Krif Ghana Limited, on the theme: “Effects of COVID-19 On Corporate Ghana- The Banking Sector- Part 1”

    He said economic projection of the COVID-19 was that: “It will take much longer for businesses and households to return to normal operations with its consequential impact on the ability to perform on existing obligations resulting in a heightened probability of increased non- performing loans”.

    Mr Awuah outlined some post-COVID-19 activities by the banks amongst which were credit expansion to productive sectors such as the manufacturing and small and medium enterprise financing.

    Others measures were for banks to invest heavily to enhance Fintech capabilities, whilst Government introduced policy initiatives to redirect the trajectory of credit expansion and the Banking Regulator to proactively balance the need for regulatory prudence and inertia post-COVID-19.

    He said banks had a duty to anchor the economy by cautiously continuing with credit expansion to productive sectors among others.

    He also mentioned that banks have cut interest rates by between 1.5 per cent and 3.5 per cent. In addition, a total of 1.6 billion Ghana cedis of Payment Holidays had been granted to selected customers with specific needs during this COVID-19 period.

    The Reverend Mrs Patricia Sappor, President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, said the banks had begun to aggressively drive the digital agenda whilst encouraging customers to jump onto the digital train using channels like Mobile Apps, USSDs, Internet Banking, and ATMs to facilitate transactions.

    “One of the key impacts of the current pandemic is the emphasis on social/physical distancing and contactless payment options. The situation presents financial institutions with the opportunity for digital transformation both at the front and back-office levels.”

    “This, if done effectively, could result in efficient service delivery, quicker turn-around time and improvement in the overall service experience for bank customers,” she noted.

    Rev. Sappor explained that investing in large and expensive edifices to accommodate employees could be curtailed as banks have found ways for workers to work more remotely and digitally.

    “This will reduce the operating costs of banks since lesser expenses on utilities and depreciation are incurred”.

    She said banks have had to re-strategize and re-prioritize projects due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Banks can no longer go back to their old ways of operating since the needs and psyche of customers have changed significantly as a result of COVID-19”.

    “In a nutshell, low transactional volumes will result in low profitability, low deposits, and significantly, high Non-Performing Loans and high operating costs are some of the adverse impacts to be envisaged by financial entities as a result of COVID-19.”

    She said banks should proactively stay in touch and build good relationships with their clients supporting them in these difficult times.

    Rev. Kennedy Okosun, the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Integrity Magazine, called on stakeholders to find out how banks and other financial institutions in Ghana could better protect themselves from the harsh effects of the lockdown and still play their important role as “engine of growth.”

    He said through such webinars solutions would be proposed as to the way forward for policymakers and industry players to reduce the biting effect of the Covid-19 on corporate Ghana.

    Source: GNA

  • E/R: Majority of COVID-19 patients are youth, eight are children

    A total of 108 out of 166 persons who have tested Positive for Covid-19 in the Eastern Region are youth between the ages of 15 to 39.

    Persons with ages above 40 tested who have positive are forty-six in number.

    Children with ages between 0-14 years tested Positive are eight( 8).

    The minimum age of persons tested positive is a 5-month-old baby with the maximum age been 91years.

    The young age group are mostly asymptomatic, according to report sent to Ghana Health Service-Headquarters by the Eastern Regional Health Directorate intercepted by Starr News.

    According to the report dated June 6, 2020, 84%of the cases recorded in the region are asymptomatic.

    Meanwhile, 31 health workers in the Eastern Region have tested positive for Covid-19.

    The affected health workers are a mixture of those conducting contact tracing and those working in hospitals and other health facilities.

    About eight (8) out of the total number have, however, recovered.

    Spike in Koforidua cases.

    The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in New Juaben South Municipality (Koforidua) have jumped from 2 to twenty-four(28) within two weeks.

    Out of the total number, only one(1) has recovered with one death being a Senior Police Officer who died May 29,2020.

    The four new confirmed cases in New Juaben South Municipality-Koforidua have increased the Eastern Regional case count from to 166 with about 100 recoveries as of June 6, 2020.

    Fifteen (15) out of thirty-three (33) Municipalities/Districts in the Eastern Region have recorded confirmed cases of Covid-19.

    The Districts and Municipalities are Lower Manya Krobo, Asuogyaman, Akauapem North, New Juaben South, Denkyembuor, Nsawam- Adoagyiri, Fanteakwa North, Kwahu West, Birim Central, Achiase, Suhum, West Akyem, Birim North, Upper Manya Krobo, and Akauapem North.

     

    Source: Starrfm.com.gh

  • Coronavirus is not over; Strictly adhere to protocols Medical Assistant

    Christians have been urged to adhere strictly to the laid down COVID-19 safety protocols and wear their face masks when stepping out as the COVID-19 is still prevalent.

    Mr Emmanuel Obeng Apau, the Head of the COVID-19 Committee at the Assemblies of God, Ghana – Berean Assembly at Ogbojo, on Sunday said regular washing of hands with soap under running water, sanitising with alcohol-based sanitizers and observing the social distancing protocols at all times were very important.

    He said this when he engaged the Church members on the COVID-19 pandemic and the safety measures to be observed under the resumption of church services.

    “Coronavirus is still active globally and in Ghana, we must not joke with it, do well to stay at home if you have nothing doing outside,” he advised.

    Mr Obeng Apau, also a Medical Assistant at the Bennett Medical Centre at Madina, told the Ghana News Agency that the temperatures of all members was taken and that there was no one with high temperature.

    The Reverend David Ampadu Berkoh, the Senior Pastor of the Assembly, in a message titled: “The Lord will rescue you,” urged members to continuously place their trust in the Lord Almighty and seek His face during difficult situations like the current pandemic.

    Quoting Psalm 50:15, he said it was a command for every child of God to call on the Lord in times of troubles “because God has assured us He will keep everyone who calls on Him safe.”

    He said it was important to trust God and believe His promises adding that, “When we stand on the promises of God, He will answer our prayers.”

    Rev Ampadu Berkoh said in the day of trouble, Christians ought to continue thanking God because that was a sign of submission and soon God will bring His deliverance to pass.

    He led the Church to pray for the nation against the spread of the COVID-19, the protection of citizens, the speedy recovery of those infected and the discovery of a vaccine that would help uproot the pandemic.

    Mr Stephen Abban, the Church Secretary, said the Church had done its best to put in place all the necessary safety measures and assured that adherence to the protocols would be taken seriously.

    He said although the duration of the service was short it was better to fellowship together than to stay at home.

    The Ghana News Agency observed that all measures prescribed by the Government were followed as members were taken through the various processes of safety before getting into the auditorium.

    Members present wore face masks and were directed to wash their hands and sanitize, and have their records taken before entering the auditorium, which had COVID-19 information posted on the walls.

    On May 31 President Akufo-Addo eased the restrictions on public gathering allowing churches to open and hold services but with not more than 100 congregants at a time and services to last for an hour.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghana Boxing Authority meets to deliberate on fighting coronavirus

    The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) held an important meeting to plan and prepare for post-COVID-19 events and activities.

    According to Secretary-General Patrick Johnson, they spoke about how to engage stakeholders to strategies the way forward after the lift of ban on contact sports.

    The meeting which was attended by management of the Trust Sports Emporium Ltd (TSEL) at the GBA Office in the Bukom Boxing Arena on Wednesday agreed to meet all stakeholders as soon as possible and the date will be liaised by the TSEL.

    They decided on meeting most TV stations to see if it could be possible to give some the sole rights to show fights behind closed doors after the lift of the ban.

    The meeting settled on some measures that would be put in place before boxing bouts are sanctioned.

    – All boxers will be examined/tested before any bout.

    – Referees and Judges will also be examined/tested to clear them before they are invited to come and officiate.

    – Cornermen will also be examined/tested.

    – All protocols on safety will be observed.

    After the meeting, Streetwise Foundation donated some foodstuffs, hand sanitizers and soap to be shared to boxers.

    Mc-Bbhphills Protocol Consult also donated foodstuffs, hand sanitizers, soaps and Veronica bucket to the GBA to be shared among boxers.

    Source: ghanaolympic.org

  • Koforidua police officers stigmatized by taxi drivers after inspector reportedly died of coronavirus

    Police Officers in the Eastern Regional Capital, Koforidua are in a state of worry over stigmatization after a colleague Inspector of Police allegedly died of the pandemic Coronavirus few weeks ago.

    According to some police officers stationed at the Central Police Station, taxi drivers in Koforidua are neglecting to board Police Personnel in uniform following report that indicates that a Police officer died from the disease.

    It would be recalled that a 55-year-old Chief Inspector who was the Station Officer in Charge of the Central Police Station in Koforidua died on Friday, May 29, 2020, after a short illness. He died while on admission at the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua for few days having visited the Police Clinic in Koforidua and Newland Hospital, a private facility.

    The cause of the death was unknown until sample of his blood was carried for testing and tested positive to COVID-19.

    Following this development, sessions of police officers at the Central Police Station are highly concerned in a discourteous mood as taxi drivers are refusing to accept them on their vehicles.

    Henceforth, the fear of contracting the disease has left taxi drivers to stop pickings Police Officers in the area with Uniform.

    “Yesterday, for instance, I walked from the Police station to my House at Anlo Town no Taxi driver was willing to stop for me to board the taxi. It did not happen to me alone some of my colleagues as well. I blame the media for creating that kind of fear and panic. Why should you mention a specific police station and even display an image of the Police officer on TV.” A Police officer fumed.

    Meanwhile, samples of health workers at the aforementioned hospitals where the Police Inspector was admitted before his death have been taken by Medical team for testing.

     

    Source: firstnewsroom.co

  • Police Chief killed by coronavirus buried in Koforidua

    The Senior Police Officer who died from Coronavirus in Koforidua in the Eastern Region has been buried.

    He was interned Saturday at the public Cemetery in Koforidua by Environmental Health personnel from the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly.

    The Environmental Health personnel wearing full Personnel Protective Equipment took the body from the Eastern Regional Hospital morgue after few bereaved family members were allowed to view the body from afar to bid him farewell.

    The New Juaben South Municipal Environment Health Officer Emmanuel Tetteh confirmed to Starr News.

    “We were in full regalia. it was successful. Everything was done under strict hygienic condition. It was done according to WHO protocols. I have handled infectious bodies for long time so this is not my first time just that this is a different disease,” Tetteh told Starr News.

    The 55-year-old Chief Inspector who was the Station Officer in Charge in Koforidua Central Police Station died from Covid-19 on Friday, May 29,2020.

    He died while on admission at the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua for few days having visited the Police Clinic in Koforidua and Newland Hospital a private facility.

    Koforidua has recorded 24 cases of Coronavirus with one recovery and one death.

    Out of the national case count of 9,462, Eastern Regional has recorded 163 cases.

     

    Source: Starr FM

  • Ghanas COVID-19 deaths rise to 42

    Ghana has recorded four more COVID-19 related deaths as the countries case count rose to 9,168.

    There have now been 42 fatalities, according to the Ghana Health Service.

    Two of the latest deaths were in the Ashanti Region with a 56-year-old man who had hypertension and diabetes as underlying conditions and a 52-year-old woman who had diabetes as an underlying condition.

    The other two deaths were in the Greater Accra Region with a 71-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man; both of who had hypertension.

    An additional 146 persons have recovered from the virus pushing that count to 3,132.

    There are currently 5,378 active cases.

    Seventeen of the current cases are in severe conditions and three are said to be critical.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Coronavirus: Hungarian Ambassador, others donate to University of Ghana Hospital

    Mr András Szabó, the Ambassador of Hungary to Ghana and Mr Imre Hegyesi, Hungarian General Manager of a Takoradi-based Sludge Management Company Limited, has presented COVID-19 relief items to the University of Ghana Hospital, Legon.

    The items included; 3300 pieces of surgical masks and N95 face masks. Mr Szabó, in a statement from the Embassy and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the health sector was an industry Hungary was working towards becoming completely active.

    However, he said, a number of reputable Ghanaian doctors were trained in the Central European country.

    He disclosed that a new complex oncology project was announced to be implemented in Ghana, in partnership with the Turkish Government.

    The Ambassador added: “We are keen on health-related developments in Ghana even though it is sad that this time we should rearrange a bit of these projects in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Hungary, for instance, started its own production of mass-ventilators which we believe could also support the health sector very soon.”

    Mr Hegyesi speaking about the donated items, said although they were relatively a small contribution, he hoped that they efficiently served in the fight against COVID-19.

    Mr Eric H. Gaisey, Administrator of the Hospital, expressed gratitude to the Ambassador and General Manager for the kind gesture and expressed optimism that they would help to control the spread of the virus.

    Source: GNA

  • Non-communicable diseases to go up after coronavirus – Dr. Wiafe Addai warns

    Chairperson of the Ghana Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance, Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, has warned of increase health complications of people with non-communicable diseases after the control of coronavirus in the country if adequate measures are not well taken.

    She explained that all attentions have been diverted in the fight against the fast-spreading of the virus, at the neglect of cancers, diabetes, hypertension, sickle cell disease among others that are silently killing the people.

    The Ghana Cancer Board chair gave the warning during a presentation of nose masks and hand sanitizers to the Peace and Love Survivors Association (PALSA) on Thursday, June 4, 2020, at the premises of Peace and love Hospital, at Oduom in the Oforikrom municipality in Ashanti region.

    The presentation according to the Dr. Wiafe Addai, who is also the CEO of Peace and Love Hospitals, will help the members, who are made of people who have survived the breast cancer disease, to protect themselves and their families against the pandemic COVID-19.

    “We are already worried about the increase in NCDs complications we are going to receive after the CONVID-19 is over. Already we see late-stage diseases, we have seen women coming with huge breasts tumours, and that was before the coronavirus. So, what are we going to see after CONVID 19?” she quizzes.

    “Most NCDs patients are paying all their attention on preventing the coronavirus forgetting to go for their regular medical check-ups, taken their medications and so on. They should know that the virus did not come to stop hypertension, diabetes, cancers and must, therefore, be given equal attention,” she said.

    Alongside adhering to the safety measures of wearing nose masks, social distancing, washing and sanitizing of hands, Dr. Wiafe Addai also advocated for a more education on non-communicable disease patients who are at high risk of contracting the coronavirus.

    Source: otecfmghana.com

  • We wont die if we dont go to church, mosque Ghanaians react to easing of restrictions

    Some Ghanaians have expressed mixed reactions to the reopening of places of worship and schools after some two months of closure.

    In a televised address on Sunday, May 31, 2020 President Akufo-Addo announced a phased approach to easing some of the restrictions imposed due to the Coronavirus pandemic which includes allowing places of worship to operate with a congregation of not more than hundred in 1 hour and schools to equally open for final year students to take their exit exams.

    But while some Ghanaians are pleased with the directive for schools to reopen for final year students, others are not particularly thrilled, especially with the reopening of places of worship, arguing that the time allotted for services to be conducted is simply not enough.

    There is more in the report below:

    Source: abcnewsgh.com

  • North Dayi MP advocates for education on appropriate use face of masks in COVID-19 fight

    Member of Parliament for the North Dayi Constituency, Rocelyn Tetteh has expressed worry over how a majority of the public use face masks amidst concerns of Coronavirus spread.

    According to her, though many have bought into the idea of wearing face masks, how it is worn is problematic and deserves some attention as the fight against the virus continues unabated.

    She says it has become the norm the world over as more than 50 countries now require people to cover their faces when they leave their homes. Hence the need to ensure that citizens wear the masks as prescribed by health experts.

    Making a case on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, June 4,  the North Dayi MP said ”Though it appears many people have bought into the idea of wearing nose masks, there is a worrying trend among the populace especially when it comes to wearing and handling the masks properly. In our markets, on commercial vehicles and even at workplaces, you will find people who wear the mask below their chin, on their forehead, simply hang it around their neck or carry it in their hand.”

    ”The impression is created that it is sufficient to own a mask and carry it around. The main reason for members of the public wearing masks, particularly non-surgical masks, is to reduce the risk of passing the coronavirus to someone else. This is why I am worried about the improper manner in which some of us wear the masks,” she said.

    She added, ”I have a concern about the way some of us handle the masks, especially the home-made fabric types. Proper handling of the home-made ones requires that the masks are washed with warm soapy water, dried and ironed at least once a day if possible. Sadly, I have seen people wearing masks which appear rather soiled and unkempt.”

    She continued that ”This situation is alarming because the experts tell us that clothing or accessories that we wear have the potential to be contaminated, and same is true for our cloth masks. For this matter, Dr. Daniel Griffin, an infectious diseases expert at Columbia University advices we must wash our masks as often as we do our underwear.”

    The MP, while applauding efforts being made by government to make the wearing of face masks mandatory, called on the NCCE and other agencies to intensify education on it

    ”While we applaud efforts made to enforce mandatory wearing of nose masks, we must go a step further to ensure that they are worn and handled properly. I see the need for more public education on the use of nose masks. All government agencies must step up their public education efforts. The NCCE must also do a lot more and so must the Health, Information and Local Government Ministries and our numerous media houses,” she added.

    Source: abcnewsgh.com

  • Do not pay any fee for stimulus package registration NBSSI

    Mrs Kosi Yankey Ayeh, the Executive Director of the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), said the application process for the COVID-19 Alleviation Programme (CAP) is free hence no one should pay any fee for it.

    The caution comes on the back of reports that some of the applicants were being charged between GH¢50 and GH¢150 to access the GH¢1 billion loan announced by the Government to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on businesses.

    Mrs Ayeh, who disclosed this in an interview with the media in Assin Fosu, cautioned the public to be wary of such fraudsters.

    “The NBSSI is not charging anyone to register and we are not going around telling people to pay any fee to register with us but what some unscrupulous persons are doing is taking advantage of the situation to make money, which is fraudulent,” she said.

    Mrs Ayeh advised persons interested in applying to decline working with people who came around the markets posing as staff of the NBSSI or members of any association working for the Board.

    Beneficiaries include businesses providing services in demand during the pandemic and which have the potential to grow and positively impact communities affected by COVID-19, as well as those focusing on digitisation to support Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs).

    The maximum amount a business could receive would be determined after assessment by the Committee.

    “We are looking at kick-starting the schemes as early as this month. We just want to put in place structures to ensure that only deserving SMEs benefit from the support,” she said.

    To ensure fairness and transparency, Mrs Ayeh said the Board had launched a portal that received applications for the utilisation of the soft loan scheme for MSMEs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with application forms available online on www.nbssi.gov.gh.

    Businesses could also call the CAP Business Centre on 0302 477 777, or visit the nearest NBSSI Business Advisory Centre for assistance with their applications.

    The Board has received more than 5,000 applications with more than 1000 people making inquiries on how to access the facility.

    Government earlier announced a sum of GH¢600 million, which had been made available for businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic, but the amount was later increased to GH¢1 billion.

    Out of the GH¢1.2 billion earmarked for the programme, GH¢600 million will be disbursed as soft loans to MSMEs with up to a one-year moratorium and a two-year repayment period. The interest is pegged at three per cent.

    Additionally, selected participating banks will provide negotiated counterpart funding to the tune of GH¢400 million, summing up to GH¢1 billion for disbursement under this Business Support Scheme, with the entire scheme set to attract some 180,000 beneficiaries across the country.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Three recover from coronavirus, one to serve as an ambassador

    Three persons out of the seven who tested positive to COVID-19 in Sissala East have recovered and reunited with their families.

    This was after 26 days in isolation where the three made up of two females and a male underwent two separate tests, conducted at different times and came out negative, Mr Alex Bapula, Municipal Director of health disclosed.

    Mr Bapula disclosed this when he led the recovered persons with health officials to their families where he asked family and community members to gracefully accept them into their midst.

    He advised the recovered persons to “Eat well when you leave to help improve your immune system, but still ensure you practice the new normal protocols and I also enjoin the communities and all of us to support them”.

    Some undisclosed amount of money with other foodstuffs was made available to them to help them start a new life.

    One of the recovered, a male, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency said during the partial lockdown as announced by the President, “I moved from Bole to Tumu whilst my wife who tested positive to COVID-19 also traveled in from Accra”.

    Asked about where he got the infection from, he couldn’t tell where he got it from and advised all to be careful.

    He declared his intention to advocate against discrimination and stigmatization and called on all persons in the communities to avail themselves to what the Ghana Health Service says and appealed for the strict observance of the protocols of handwashing with soap under running water, social distancing among others.

    About a month ago, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, the Upper West Regional Minister who interacted with the Sissala East emergency health response committee on COVID-19 called on residents in the Upper West to be encouraged to accept and integrate persons who have recovered from the pandemic to make life easier for them.

    The Minister explained that “stigmatizing infected persons who have recovered from COVID-19 is inhuman” and called on communities to assist all to reintegrate.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Mosques ready to enforce ‘One Muslim One Mat’ as congregation resumes on Friday

    Following the president’s announcement on the easing of restrictions last Sunday, Muslims across the country are preparing for what could possibly be their first congregational prayer after a ban on social gatherings was imposed on March 15, to curb the spread the of COVID-19 in the country.

    Ahead of Friday, June 5, 2020, where the ease on the ban on religious gathering comes into effect, mosques across the country are putting in place measures to ensure hygienic measures outlined by government are enforced. Visiting some mosques in Nima today, their leaderships informed GhanaWeb that with the plans in place to congregate tomorrow, they were going to ensure all safety and hygienic protocols are adhered to including the policy of each congregant coming with their own mat for prayers.

    Per the directives outlined by the government, mosques are to ensure that each worshipper uses their personal mat (Sajaada), or disinfect mats provided by the mosque before and after use. Further to the directives by government, the Office of the Chief Imam in a release also recommended that each worshiper comes to a mosque along with their own mat (Sajaada) for prayers.

    At the Islamic Research Institute Mosque where a fumigation exercise had already been carried out earlier in the morning, a member of the COVID-19 Taskforce at the mosque, Musah Ahmed, told GhanaWeb that all is set for congregational prayers tomorrow and indicated that the mosque’s task force is going to ensure that social distancing and other hygienic protocols are enforced.

    “By the grace of God tomorrow we are going to pray and we are going to give the distance that the authorities asked us. We will stand at the gate and put the Veronica Bucket outside and before you come in you will wash your hands outside. We have already announced that they should do their ablution in the house or unless you come with your butar or pure water with a Sajaada, which, is a separate mat for you alone.”

    At the Masjid Abubakar Saddique where a fumigation exercise was underway, the Imam of the mosque, Imam Zakaria Omaru Ginko said while the leadership of the mosque continues to prepare for the reopening, the leadership is scheduled to meet with the community to outline measures that will be implemented during the congregation tomorrow. The Imam, however, said the directive to ensure that details of all congregants and their contacts are recorded to for contact tracing in case of a recorded case will be hard to follow since a lot of the community members, especially the elderly who may not have mobile phones.

    “We will ensure adherence to the permitted number (not more than 100 congregants), provide Veronica Buckets for handwashing and also register our congregants. But the register will be a problem because we are supposed to write their names and their phone numbers. Most of the aged don’t,” the Imam said.

    President Akufo-Addo in his address to the nation on Sunday announced the first stage of easing of restrictions starting on Friday, June 5, 2020. The President said “an abridged format for religious services can commence. Twenty-five percent (25%) attendance, with a maximum number of one hundred (100) congregants, can worship at a time in church or at the mosque, with a mandatory one-metre rule of social distancing between congregants. In addition to the mandatory wearing of masks for all persons at all times in churches and mosques, a register of names and contact details of all worshippers and handwashing facilities and sanitisers must be provided, with a maximum duration of one (1) hour for each service.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Western Region records 456 coronavirus case with 10 recoveries

    The confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Western Region have soared from 449 to 456 as of Wednesday, June 3, 2020.

    Out of the 456 confirmed cases, 10 patients with the COVID-19 have recovered.

    This was confirmed by the Western Regional Health Directorate on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, in Sekondi-Takoradi.

    According to the Directorate, 5,219 results are still pending.

    The Directorate added that the region recorded 17 new positive cases, all recorded in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality.

    Currently, Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality is leading in the Western Region with 174 positive cases awaiting 2,033 results.

    Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis has also recorded 151 positive cases, becoming the second area with a high prevalence of the virus. Results for some 640 tests from the metropolis are yet to be released.

    According to the Directorate, as of Wednesday, June 3, 764 new contacts have been traced to 34 cases.

    The Directorate, therefore, commended Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal Assembly for launching COVID-19 Trust Fund.

    The first case of the disease in the Western Region was recorded on Easter Sunday and has been traced to a Chinese national who works with the Coastal Quarry Company at Anto in the Shama District.

    The breakdown of positive cases of the coronavirus in Western Region as of Wednesday, June 3, 2020, are as follows:

    • Tarkwa-Nsuaem = 174

    • Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis = 151

    • Effia Kwesimintsim = 41

    • Prestea Huni-Valley = 32

    • Ahanta West = 23

    • Ellembelle District = 13

    • Nzema East Municipality = 10

    • Shama District = 4

    • Mpohor District = 4

    • Jomoro Municipality = 2

    • Amenfi West = 1

    • Wassa East District = 1

    • Amenfi East = 0

    • 14 Amenfi Central = 0

    • Total = 456

    Note the following facts:

    • Total of 5,219 pending results

    • 10 recoveries

    • 1 death

    • Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality has the highest pending results of 2,033.

     

    Source: Daniel Kaku, Contributor

  • Its unfair to give us GHC70 after promising us GHC150 daily Contact tracers cry to Akufo-Addo

    Contact tracers in the Ashanti Region have cried out to President Akufo-Addo to intervene as their daily allowances promised them has been slashed.

    According to them, their allowance for the month of May was reduced drastically for reasons unknown to them.

    President Akufo-Addo in his fifth address to the nation promised to give contact tracers GHC150 daily allowance for their efforts in the fight against COVID-19.

    “An insurance package, with an assured sum of three hundred and fifty thousand cedis (GH¢350,000) for each health personnel and allied professional at the forefront of the fight, has been put in place, with a daily allowance of one hundred and fifty cedis (GH¢150) being paid to contact tracers,” the President said.

    But that joy of receiving the GHC150 daily allowance was cut short after their emolument for May was reduced.

    They indicated that their GHC150 daily allowance as promised was given to them in the month of April, however, it got reduced to GHC70 in the month of May.

    Describing the situation as unfair, the Coalition of Contact Tracers wants President Akufo-Addo to fulfill his promise.

    They have therefore written an open letter to President Akufo-Addo to address their concern.

    Read their statement below

    Good day sir,

    Accept a warm felicitation from us.

    We pray our letter finds you in a good health condition as you lead your beloved country in this fight against an invisible enemy.

    Mr President, on Sunday, the 5th of April 2020, you made a public announcement that Contact Tracers across the country would be given a Ghc150 daily allowance for their efforts in the fight against Covid-19. This announcement was very timely and welcoming since by then none of us knew how much we were getting even after working for days.

    Mr. President, for the month of April, the money was paid as you announced and we thank you for that.

    However, for the entire month of May, the money was not paid until on the 1st of June when we were asked to come the next day for our monies. We proceeded to our accountants for the money the next day only to be informed that, we are taking Ghc70 per day and not the announced Ghc150 per day.

    So Mr. President, we would like to humbly enquire whether your office has reviewed the amount or some entities within the region want to “cheat” us.

    Mr. President, when the announcement for the recruitment of health professionals to work as Contact Tracers was made, almost everyone was afraid to partake. A few of us showed up for the orientation and training, and a few among those who showed for the training actually showed up for work for fear of contracting the virus. But some of us against all odds sacrificed and contributed our quota in this fight. We faced some stigmatisations and distancing from even family members due to fear. People feared getting close to us just because of the work we do. But that did not deter us in fighting to make Ghana safe again.

    The successes chalked in the fight would not have been possible without our tireless efforts in Tracing and Testing some 153,056 people and recording 4956 positives. This could not have been possible without us.

    Mr. President, it is unfair for us to work all week including Saturdays and Sundays only for us to be denied what is due us. It is unfair sir.

    So we call on your esteemed office to issue a statement, possibly through the daily Ministerial Press Briefings to shed some light on this issue.

    Thank you Mr. President

    Convener

    Coalition of Contact Tracers, Ashanti Region.

    0200983057

    Cc:

    Minister of Health

    Minister of Information

    Director General, GHS

    Source: abcnewsgh.com

  • Coronavirus has eased our workload MTTD

    The Head of Research, Education, and Training at the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Alexander Obeng, has revealed that the Coronavirus pandemic has reduced the traffic on our roads thereby reducing their workload.

    He made these comments in an interview with Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show aired on Happy 98.FM.

    He noted, however, that some stubborn persons were reckless on our roads. “Traffic was low during COVID-19 but that did not mean the recklessness on the part of some people was not present. For example, over speeding was rampant because some people felt that our roads were free”, he added.

    According to him, the Coronavirus period has confirmed that when the roads are in good shape and free from traffic, drivers tend to disobey the regulations and cause fatal accidents.

    He furthered that a few weeks after the lockdown was lifted, however, the country recorded more road casualties than it did before and during the lockdown.

    He, thus, urged road users to obey the road safety regulations to preserve their lives.

    Source: happyghana.com

  • Manganese, bauxite weigh bridge 85% complete

    The construction of a bridge at Apemanim in the Ahanta West District in the Western Region for the weighing of manganese and bauxite for export is 85 per cent complete.

    Work on the facility was begun in November last year and was expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of this year but stalled following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

    When it becomes operational in August this year, the bridge will be a central point to ascertain and double-check the quantity of manganese and bauxite that is hauled from the mine sites to the Takoradi Port for export.

    The Western Region is home to the production of both minerals and others that are exported through the Takoradi Harbour.

    The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, inspected progress of work on the bridge last Tuesday as part of his two-day working visit to the Western and the Ashanti regions.

    With him on the visit were the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mines, Naana Eyiah; the Administrator of the Minerals Development Fund (MDF), Dr Norris Hammer, and some top officials of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

    Progress of work

    At the site of the bridge, it was observed that concrete works on the main passage, supporting structures and other major components of the weighing bridge had been done.

    What is left to be done are fixing of steel surfaces and the installation of automated weighing devices.

    The minister expressed his satisfaction with the extent of work done on the bridge and asked that work be expedited to get the facility operational by August this year.

    Good project

    He said the weighing bridge was very important to the nation, as it would help it achieve accurate values on the quantity of manganese and bauxite it exported.

    Mr Asomah-Cheremeh said Ghana had lost a lot of revenue through underhand dealings by some mining companies, the reason the decision to construct the weighing bridge was taken.

    “As of now, determining the actual figures in terms of the dried metric tonnes (DMT) of manganese and bauxite is a problem; and the state is losing huge revenue because of a weak monitoring system. We, therefore, thought it prudent that we should know the accurate figures, so that we will know the actual amount the state should be getting at any point in time,” he said.

    The minister said in the absence of a refinery for manganese and bauxite, the best way for the country to benefit from the minerals was for monitoring regimes to be robust in checking discrepancies in values declared by mining companies.

    Background

    In September last year, the government ordered weigh bridges to be installed at vantage points along highways that connect mining sites to the Takoradi Harbour.

    The decision followed a financial and technical audit of all mining companies which revealed that the country was being short-changed by some of the companies.

    The financial and technical audit of mining companies was begun in 2018, after a former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr John-Peter Amewu, had raised alarm about the way some mining companies were using fraudulent scales to short-change the country, leading to revenue losses.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Half of coronavirus deaths from Ashanti Region

    Eighteen people have died from the deadly coronavirus in the Ashanti Region out of 38 deaths recorded nationwide.

    The region also has 1,342 cases of the disease out of 8,548 recorded nationwide.

    Regional Minister, Mr Simon Osei-Mensah, said this at the launch of Anti-stigma campaign on COVID-19 in Kumasi today, Wednesday, 3 June 2020.

    The campaign against the stigmatisation of people living with the deadly coronavirus was launched by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA).

    Mr Osei-Mensah called for a stop to stigmatisation against people living with the pandemic and advised Ghanaians to adhere to the safety protocols to protect themselves from the disease.

    Otumfuo’s Manwerehene, Baffour Osei Hyiaman Brantuo VI, also advised people in the region to desist from stigmatising those who have recovered from the virus.

    Source: Class FM

  • Coronavirus: Ghanas case count hits 8,548

    Ghana’s coronavirus case count has leapt to 8,548, in the latest data released by the Ghana Health Service.

    Figures released on Monday, June 1, 2020, put the case count at 8,070.

    In the latest data, the death toll is pegged at 38 while the recoveries stand at 3,132, according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) figures.

    According to the GHS, 17 persons are in critical condition with one patient on a ventilator.

    Below is a regional breakdown of the coronavirus situation in Ghana according to figures released on June 3, 2020.

    (Case Count from Highest to Lowest)

    Greater Accra Region 5,894

    Ashanti Region 1,342

    Western Region 449

    Central Region 438

    Eastern Region 134

    Volta Region 86

    Western North Region 68

    Upper East Region 42

    Northern Region 37

    Oti Region 26

    Upper West Region 22

    Bono East Region 6

    North East Region 2

    Savannah Region 1

    Bono Region 1

    Ahafo Region 0

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Immigration proposes inclusion of coronavirus testing in international certificate for vaccination

    Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kwame Asuah Takyi, has called for the inclusion of COVID-19 testing in the International Certificate of Vaccination otherwise known as Yellow Card to strengthen health security.

    He said the inclusion would help prevent, protect and contain the spread of the coronavirus disease across borders and avoid the interference with international traffic and trade.

    A statement issued by Superintendent Michael Amoako-Atta, the Head of Public Affairs, said the call was made during a web-based seminar on the impact of COVID-19 on the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) free movement protocol and the regional integration agenda.

    It was organised organized by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) under the auspices of the European Union, ECOWAS Commission and International Labour Organization.

    The statement said there is the need for health clearance for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases to be strictly enforced as part of requirements for entry into member states when implemented.

    It expressed concern over the nonexistence of health facilities at the various entry points of member States of ECOWAS to cater for the health needs of border officials who were unwell and exposed to infectious diseases and other ever-changing health risks.

    “We need effective collaboration between border security agencies and health institutions to curtail the possible spread of infectious diseases across borders”, Mr Takyi said.

    The Comptroller-General said member states should consider building the capacity of port health officials through a continuous training programme to strengthen health security in West Africa as part of the new paradigm shift, post COVID-19.

    The statement said as part of policy intervention, member States must leverage on technology to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras along the borders for effective monitoring of movements of persons along the frontiers.

    It said some of the lessons learnt from the closure of the borders were the increasing use of unapproved routes by migrants to enter the entry, which has led to the identification of several unapproved routes of entry and exist.

    Others, the statement said, were the connivance of transport operators and border residents who aided travellers to cross borders illegally, adding: tip-offs from border residents and the sharing of intelligence among border security agencies are therefore crucial to combating irregular migration and the fight against infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

    Other panellists for the webinar were H.E. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Minister for the Interior of Federal Government of Nigeria; Mr Tei Konzi, Commissioner of Trade, Customs and Free Movement for ECOWAS Commission; Ms Melita Gruevska-Graham, Head of Anti-Trafficking Programme for ICMPD; and Ms Lotte Kejser Chief Technical Adviser for International Labour Organization (ILO).

    Source: Ghana Immigration Service

  • COVID-19 cases in Africa top 157,000

    At least 4,880 people tested positive for COVID-19 across Africa in the last 24 hours, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Wednesday.

    The new cases pushed the tally across the continent to 157,322.

    Meanwhile, the death toll has risen to 4,493, with 149 more fatalities.

    On the other hand, recoveries totaled at 67,007, of which 3,346 patients were discharged over the past day.

    South Africa emerged as the worst-hit country in terms of cases with 35,800, while Egypt suffered the most deaths with 1,100.

    Nigeria reported 314 fatalities, the highest in West Africa.

    Sudan reported 307 fatalities and Cameroon 200.

    Source:www.aa.com.tr

  • No question yet on Covid-19 expenditure returns Parliament

    Parliament says no member of the house, including the member for Ajumako Enyan Essiam, Cassiel Ato Forson has filed any question demanding accountability for the monies voted to mitigate the Covid-19 lockdown period.

    There are claims a question on the expenditure returns of an amount of GH¢280.3 million allocated for the fight against the Corona Virus during the lockdown period is yet to receive an answer three weeks after the question was filed.

    Parliament however says no such question exists in the house, and that if it did, the house would apply the rules as is the norm.

    In a statement issued Tuesday evening, June 2, 2020, Parliament said it has no record that Cassiel Ato Forson had filed any such question contrary to a claim by him on radio.

    “From our records in Parliament, there is no specific Question with the said amount filed by the Honourable Member or any Member for that matter.

    “Per the rules and practices of Parliament, Questions are not filed in the name of, or by Caucuses. Rather a Member seeking a response to a specific issue would file a Question in his or her name, signed by the Member as provided for in Standing Order 64.

    “The Office’s interaction with the Honourable Member does not disclose that he had filed an earlier Question. Rather reference is made to a Question filed earlier by a Member of the Minority seeking to “ask the Minister of Health what emergency preparedness and response plan the Ministry has put in place to help contain the spread of COVID-19 virus and the details of how the 100 Million Dollars announced by the President will be spent.”

    “Upon further consultation with the Honourable Member, he indicated that he intends to file a Question today on the matter raised in the media. Once the question is filed, it will be processed in accordance with the rules of the House.”

    The statement issued by the Public Affairs Directorate also dealt with a claim that the Majority Leader, who is also the Chairman of the Business Committee had allegedly alluded to the creation of new constituencies in his presentation on Friday 20/05/2020 of the Business Statement for this week.

    “No such presentation has been made by the Majority Leader. In fact, the Majority Leader in the said presentation, stated categorically that Committee on Subsidiary Legislation should endeavour to submit its report on the Public Elections (Registration of Regulation of Voters) (Amendment) 2020 for the consideration of the House on or before the coming into force of the Instrument.

    “He insisted that the Committee must submit their report to the House by Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020 for consideration on Thursday June 4th, 2020. The attribution to him with regards to the creation of new constituencies is therefore wrongful.”

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Its unfair Coronavirus contact tracers write to Akufo-Addo over slashed allowance

    Covid-19 contact tracers have revealed that they are now receiving GhC70 as daily allowance instead of the announced GhC150.

    “Mr President, on Sunday, the 5th of April 2020, you made a public announcement that Contact Tracers across the country would be given a Ghc150 daily allowance for their efforts in the fight against Covid-19. This announcement was very timely and welcoming since by then none of us knew how much we were getting even after working for days.

    “However, for the entire month of May, the money was not paid until on the 1st of June when we were asked to come the next day for our monies. We proceeded to our accountants for the money the next day only to be informed that, we are taking Ghc70 per day and not the announced Ghc150 per day,” a part of the letter reads.

    They have therefore written an open letter to President Akufo-Addo to address their concern.

    Below is the full open letter:

    Good day sir,

    Accept a warm felicitation from us.

    We pray our letter finds you in a good health condition as you lead your beloved country in this fight against an invisible enemy.

    Mr President, on Sunday, the 5th of April 2020, you made a public announcement that Contact Tracers across the country would be given a Ghc150 daily allowance for their efforts in the fight against Covid-19. This announcement was very timely and welcoming since by then none of us knew how much we were getting even after working for days.

    Mr. President, for the month of April, the money was paid as you announced and we thank you for that.

    However, for the entire month of May, the money was not paid until on the 1st of June when we were asked to come the next day for our monies. We proceeded to our accountants for the money the next day only to be informed that, we are taking Ghc70 per day and not the announced Ghc150 per day.

    So Mr. President, we would like to humbly enquire whether your office has reviewed the amount or some entities within the region want to “cheat” us.

    Mr. President, when the announcement for the recruitment of health professionals to work as Contact Tracers was made, almost everyone was afraid to partake. A few of us showed up for the orientation and training, and a few among those who showed for the training actually showed up for work for fear of contracting the virus. But some of us against all odds sacrificed and contributed our quota in this fight. We faced some stigmatisations and distancing from even family members due to fear. People feared getting close to us just because of the work we do. But that did not deter us in fighting to make Ghana safe again.

    The successes chalked in the fight would not have been possible without our tireless efforts in Tracing and Testing some 153,056 people and recording 4956 positives. This could not have been possible without us.

    Mr. President, it is unfair for us to work all week including Saturdays and Sundays only for us to be denied what is due us. It is unfair sir.

    So we call on your esteemed office to issue a statement, possibly through the daily Ministerial Press Briefings to shed some light on this issue.

    Thank you Mr. President

    Convener

    Coalition of Contact Tracers, Ashanti Region.

    0200983057

    Cc:

    Minister of Health

    Minister of Information

    Director General, GHS

     

    Source: Daily Mail

  • 95 persons recover from Coronavirus in Eastern Region Health Director

    95 persons out of a total of 134 who tested positive for COVID-19 in the Eastern Region have fully recovered from the disease.

    This was announced by the Eastern Regional Health Directorate on Tuesday, June 2, 2020.

    Regional Health Director,  Dr. Alberta Biritwum Nyarko made this known at the official reopening of the Afcon Construction Camp B site at Kpong in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality.

    She indicated that seven out of 21 health workers who contracted the virus in line of duty have also fully recovered.

    “For the Eastern Region, we have 134 cases so far. But I must also say that 95 out of these 134 have fully recovered which means that we have at least 70 percent recovery as at now. Unfortunately, we have some of our health workers also infected some of them in line of duty or because of community spread. We have 21 of our health workers who have so far been infected and seven of them have also recovered.”

    Dr. Nyarko mentioned that there is ongoing surveillance by health professionals to make sure that further infections are reduced and contained.

    “We had all the cooperation of the company, the local government authority, security and also from the indefatigable health staff who had to work 24 hours every day for the past 10 weeks to ensure that we can proudly say, the outbreak is over, here in Kpong and Afcon camp B. We assure you of the fact that surveillance is still going on. We are not out of the woods yet because the infection is still in Ghana. We have to put our best foot forward so that when we have another infection, we will able to immediately find it and do the needful by containing It,” she added.

    On his part,  Eric Kwakye Darfour the Eastern Regional Minister was impressed with the 100 percent recovery rate of all infected engineers working on the Tema to Mpakadan Railway project at the AFCON camp B.

    The camp was where the Eastern Region recorded its first case of COVID-19.

    Mr. Darfour, therefore, charged the workers to observe all the safety protocols as they resume work on the project.

    “Today, we are all grateful that we have all gathered for a good purpose not to grief over the passing of anyone. We were faced with an obstacle but due to the hard work of the health service, the corporation from the company, and the front line workers, all of those who were affected by the virus have recovered.”

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Ato Forson yet to file question on GHS280.3M COVID-19 expenses Parliament

    Parliament has clarified that the Ranking Member of the Finance Committee of Parliament, Cassiel Ato Forson, is yet to file a question on the expenditure returns of GHS280.3 million allocated for the coronavirus fight.

    Mr. Forson had reportedly claimed on Accra-based Joy FM that he filed the question during the partial-lockdown period.

    These concerns from Mr. Forson had been highlighted earlier on Monday when he called on the Auditor-General to undertake a special audit into the GHS280.3 million that was allocated by the government for the provision of food, water and sanitation under the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme (CAP).

    Parliament, however, says, from its records, there is no specific question on the GHS280.3 million on its file.

    The statement further noted that Mr. Forson admitted he was yet to file the question.

    “Upon further consultation with the Honourable Member [Cassiel Ato Forson], he indicated that he intends to file a question today [Tuesday] on the matter raised in the media.”

    “Once it is filed, it will be processed in accordance with the rules of the House,” the statement added.

    New constituency allegations

    Parliament also noted that Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, was alleged to have alluded to the creation of new constituencies in a presentation on May 20.

    It refuted such claims saying “no such presentation has been made by the Majority Leader.”

    “In fact, the Majority Leader in the said presentation stated categorically that the Committee of Subsidiary Legislation should endeavour to submit its report on the Public Elections 2020 for the consideration of the House on or before the coming into force of the instrument.”

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Coronavirus: ICGC remains closed

    The International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), one of the popular churches in Ghana with a large congregation, has announced that it will remain closed despite government’s decision to ease coronavirus restrictions and allow religious bodies to operate.

    In his 10th address to the nation on Sunday, President Nana Akufo-Addo stated that churches and mosques can admit up 100 people during service. Church services, in particular, are not to extend beyond one hour.

    However, members of ICGC will have to wait a little longer to return to church because the Presbytery – the church’s highest decision-making body – has advised its local assemblies to remain closed until further notice.

    A statement released on Tuesday by the church said that “all ICGC local assemblies will continue to fellowship together on-air and on-line as we join the General Overseer on Sundays for services, as we do now.”

    The statement signed by the General Secretary, Rev. Morris Appiah said, the “church will use the month of June to assess, monitor and evaluate all protocols in simulation exercises with selected local assemblies in various districts.”

    Read the full statement below:

    HEAD OFFICE OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION DIRECTIVES ON REOPENING ICGC ASSEMBLIES

    Greetings to you all in the name of Jesus Christ in Our Year of Excellence.

    The Presbytery of the Church has considered the directives issued by the Government of Ghana for the commencement of church services on the 7th of June 2020.

    In line with this, the Presbytery hereby directs Pastors and ICGC local assemblies as follows:

    1.0 Non-Opening of ICGC Churches
    No ICGC local assembly shall be opened to run in-person church services until so advised by the Presbytery.

    2.0 Sunday Services

    All ICGC local assemblies will continue to fellowship together on air and on-line as we join the General Overseer on Sundays for services, as we do now.

    3.0 Mid-week Services

    Local Pastors will continue to minister to their congregations through on-line, on air, and social media channels during the week (Mondays – Saturdays).

    4.0 Other church services

    The Presbytery will soon issue directives on the conduct of weddings and funerals in our local assemblies.

    Guidelines for Reopening of Churches

    a. The Church will use the month of June to assess, monitor and evaluate all protocols in simulation exercises with selected local assemblies in various districts. This will enable us to determine the appropriateness and effectiveness of the protocols throughout our churches nation-wide various districts. This will enable us to determine the appropriateness and effectiveness of the protocols throughout our churches nationwide.

    b. The Presbytery will issue clear instructions on the next steps to be followed by the Church depending on the outcomes of (a) above.

    C. At the appropriate time, the Presbytery will issue instructions on the phased re-opening of local assemblies which will be informed by the following key factors:

    i. The trend of the virus infections country-wide

    ii. The reports on the spread of the virus in the districts where ICGC local assemblies are located

    iii. The preparedness of the local assemblies in various districts to run church services.

    6.0 Compliance All pastors and local assemblies shall fully comply with these and other subsequent directives issued by Presbytery.

    7.0 Conclusion We are mindful of the need for our congregations to gather and worship freely and openly. However, the current situation demands that we also consider the health and safety of all congregants.

    We pray that God will grant us the wisdom to offer the right guidance to the Church in these uncertain times.

    I entreat you all to keep praying fervently for the Church, Ghana, and the nations. I am convinced we will come out of this better and stronger.

    Rev. Morris Appiah
    General Secretary

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Recoveries near 3000 as Coronavirus cases hit 8297

    More patients of the Coronavirus have recovered as Ghana’s active cases increase to 5273, Ghana Health Service has reported.

    As of June 2, 145 more people have been confirmed to have recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 2986.

    The number of confirmed positive cases have also risen to 8297. Two more patients have died since the last update 24 hours ago. The total number of Coronavirus deaths is now 38.

    According to the Ghana Health Service, the latest COVID-19 casualties are two women with underlying issues.

    Case 37, a 52-year-old woman reported at a hospital in Kumasi with metastatic Ovarian cancer and gastro internal bleeding before testing for the Coronavirus. She died three days after admission.

    The 38th casualty was a 64-year-old woman admitted with an initial diagnosis of congestive cardiac failure and bilateral pneumonia who died two days after being confirmed with the Coronavirus.

    The Greater Accra Region continues to lead with the highest number of active cases in the country. The number is now 5798.

    Ahafo Region remains Coronavirus free as it has not recorded any cases so far.

    Below is the regional breakdown

    Greater Accra Region – 5,798

    Ashanti Region – 1,263

    Western Region – 436

    Central Region – 410

    Eastern Region – 117

    Volta Region – 84

    Western North Region – 68

    Northern Region – 37

    Oti Region – 26

    Upper East Region – 26

    Upper West Region – 22

    Bono East Region – 6

    North East Region – 2

    Savannah Region – 1

    Bono Region – 1

    Ahafo Region – 0

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Banana seller at Koforidua Police Training School tests positive

    A Banana seller has tested positive for COVID-19 at the Koforidua Police Training School in the Eastern Region.

    She tested positive Friday, May 29,2020, after Ghana Health Service conducted mass testing for Police recruits, Police officers, and their families staying in bungalows in the school as well as food vendors.

    The patient was the only one among the lot whose test results came out positive. She has since been quarantined.

    The Banana seller does not only ply her trade at the Police Training School but also sell to customers at Regional Police Headquarters, Koforidua High Court, GNAT Hall during events, and the Lands Commission.

    Contact tracing is underway.

    Meanwhile, about 244 samples of Police personnel, inmates at Cells as well as families of Police officers at the Central Police station and barracks in Koforidua have been taken for testing following the death of the Station Officer who died from Coronavirus.

    Samples of the Widow and her children including her twin kids were also taken.

    The samples were taken Sunday by a medical team from the Ghana Health Service. The is anxiety among police personnel and occupants at the barracks as they await their test results.

    55-year-old Chief Inspector who was the Station Officer in Charge of the Central Police Station in Koforidua died Friday, May 29,2020, after a short illness.

    He was on admission at the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua for few days having visited the Police Clinic in Koforidua and Newland Hospital- a private Hospital before his death.

    Meanwhile, samples of health workers at the Police Clinic and Newland Hospital have also been taken by the Medical team while the affected staff quarantined.

    The sudden death of the Chief Inspector has shocked many in the Eastern Regional Capital.

    He has been described by many as a very affable Police officer who discharged his duties to the admiration of many in the regional capital.

    He was honoured by the Police Administration a few years ago together with then Municipal Police Commander Richardson Kumeko for refusing a huge bribe offered them by a suspect arrested in Koforidua for attempting to smuggle quantities of Marijuana to the Central region.

     

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • COVID-19: NDC parliamentary candidate donates PPE to 30 electoral areas

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency, Mr John Justice Abban, has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth 50,000 Ghana cedis to 30 electoral areas within the constituency to help combat the COVID-19.

    The items comprise 5,000 bottles of alcohol-based hand sanitisers and 5,000 face masks.

    At a brief ceremony to hand them over, Mr Abban said he was concerned about the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus in Tarkwa and its environs and that the donation was part of his contribution to fight it.

    “Though the Municipal Health Directorate had recorded many positive cases of COVID-19, the health professionals have put in place strategic measures to protect the citizenry,” he said.

    He praised them for being supportive during this period to help curb the spread of the disease.

    Mr Abban appealed to the public to constantly practice handwashing with soap under running water, wearing of face masks, and physical distancing as prescribed in the Ghana Health Service and the World Health Organization guidelines.

    The Assembly Member of Kwabedu Electoral Area, Mr Paa Kwasi Ephriam, who received the items, thanked the benefactor for the goodwill and promised they would be used for the intended purpose.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Government releases over 20 guidelines for churches hoping to reopen

    The government has announced a set of advisories following the resumption of religious activities in the phased easing of the COVID-19 induced restrictions.

    The Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister, Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, detailed the protocols at a media encounter on Monday evening, June 1, 2020.

    Among the advisories for churches, elderly persons have been discouraged from attending services whilst all other persons involved in singing and preaching are to wear face masks.

    Find below the full guidelines:

    • Thermometer guns or thermal scanners are to be provided for checking the temperature of congregants at entry points.
    • A No mask, No entry Policy is to be enforced.
    • Handwashing facilities with running water and soap and/or FDA approved alcohol-based hand sanitizer are to be provided.
    • Adequate waste management facilities (bins, cans, bin-liners and single-use tissues) are to be made available.
    • Adequate toilet facilities must be made available.
    • There should be the regular cleaning and disinfection of frequently used communal places (like toilet surfaces) and frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs/handles, preferably every 1-2 hours depending on the rate of utilization.
    • A holding room or area where a person who becomes sick at the gathering can be isolated from others must be available ahead of arrangements for evacuation.
    • There must be the regular disinfection of venues used by churches, preferably once every month.
    • Trained cleaners with the necessary personal protective equipment and cleaning items must be on hand to clean the facilities regularly and handle waste appropriately.
    • Churches are to ensure adequate ventilation, i.e. open windows to allow for the maximum circulation of fresh air, if possible, avoid confined air-conditioned rooms.
    • Churches are to display approved health promotion materials on COVID-19 at vantage points to remind congregants to keep to social distancing protocols, wearing of the masks, regular handwashing, coughing and sneezing etiquette.
    • Churches are to ensure a No handshake, No hugging and No Spitting policy at all time.
    • Churches are to Follow established evacuation procedures to enable evacuation if a congregant becomes sick during the event and has to be evacuated.
    • Churches are to form a COVID-19 task force comprising of members who are preferably health workers.
    • Unwell Persons are not allowed to attend church
    • Elderly persons and people of any age with underlying medical conditions, heart diseases, diabetes, liver disease, and asthma are advised to stay away from church service
    • Sharing personal items such as watches, jewellery, pens and phones should be discouraged.
    • If an individual is confirmed positive for COVID-19, all contacts must be traced and screened.
    • No crowded dancing and waving of handkerchiefs during church services.
    • Microphones are to be sanitized immediately after each use.
    • All persons who speak or sing in churches must wear facemask during service.
    • Churches are to discourage singing in groups and instead use pre-recorded songs.
    • Pre-packaged communion bread and wine should be picked up by members at the point of entry.
    • Place offering bowls at the entrance and exit points for members to give offerings and tithes when entering or on their way out of church premises. Encourage cash transfers via mobile money or mobile banking as forms of giving offerings.
    • In observance of social distancing protocols, laying on of hands should not be allowed.
    • Spend at least five minutes of church service time to educate church members on Covid-19.
    • Provide separate sitting areas for the aged and for families that are together.
    • The church is encouraged to mobilize resources to help individuals in need including offering church health facilities.

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Volta Regions coronavirus cases reportedly hit 84, with 35 recoveries

    The Volta region has confirmed 40 more COVID-19 cases in the last week increasing, the number from 44 to 84 as of June 1.

    The number of cases initially increased from 44 to 59, then to 71 by the middle of last week and to 84 by the end of the weekend.

    Per the latest breakdown received from the Public Health Directorate of the Volta Regional Health Directorate, Ho reordered 16 cases within the period under review, thus bringing its total cases to 23. Ketu South got additional 10 cases to bring its tally to 32, thus the highest in the region.

    South and Central Tongu, new entrants on the table of affected districts in the region recorded four and eight cases respectively.

    The latest District to record Covid-19 cases is Anloga where two cases were recorded last week.

    Per the information from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) available to DGN Online nine districts out of the 18 districts have so far been affected by the novel corona-virus.

    The other districts include Akatsi South with one case, Agotime-Ziope with one case, Kpando with two cases and Hohoe with 11 cases.

    Meanwhile, the number of recoveries in the region has also increased from 28 as at the last count over a week ago to 35 as at the weekend.

    The latest recovery which covers seven cases comprises of four cases in Ho, one case in Agotime-Ziope and two cases in Hohoe.

    To this end, the number of active cases reached 47 with two deaths.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Here are the protocols churches and mosques need to follow in the fight against coronavirus

    President Nana Akufo-Addo has lifted the ban on religious gatherings effective Friday, June 5, 2020, under strict control measures.

    He said churches and mosques have been limited to a maximum of 100 people with services not exceeding one hour with a mandatory one-meter rule of social distancing between congregants.

    According to him, religious leaders must enforce the wearing of facemasks, mandatory hand washing, and provide a register of all attendants for easier contact-tracing.

    In a televised address to the nation on Sunday, May 31, 2020, he said:

    “Religious institutions that are desirous of opening their premises to their members, such as churches, mosques, and others, must disinfect, fumigate and put in place the requisite logistics needed to guarantee safe opening and operation.

    “They must work with the designated, regulatory bodies and undertake test runs of the protocols I have outlined. I would appeal to them, in the case of Christians, on the first Sunday of re-opening, i.e. 7th June, in the case of the Adventists, Saturday, 6th June, and in the case of Muslims, on the first Friday, i.e. Salat Al-Jumu’ah on 5th June, to dedicate their worship to prayers for the nation in these challenging times.”

    He noted that the “Minister for Religious Affairs will outline in detail the specific guidelines for the safe reopening of our churches and mosques” today, Monday, June 1, 2020.

     

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: WAEC to organise independent WASSCE for Ghana alone

    Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, the Minister of Information, has said the West African Examination Council (WAEC) has indicated its readiness to organise an independent West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for Ghanaian candidates due to the threat of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    In response to the growing health concern about the COVID-19, WAEC in March, which comprises of Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, decided to put on hold the conduct of WASSCE for candidates, earlier scheduled to commence on April 6, 2020.

    Schools and universities are to be re-opened for final year students from Monday, June 15, 2020.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a televised address to the nation on Sunday, May 31, 2020, said final year students in junior high, senior high, and universities can resume classes and lectures ahead of the conduct of their respective final examinations.

    “Indeed, final year university students are to report to their universities on 15th June, final year senior high school (SHS 3) students together with SHS 2 gold track students on 22nd June and final-year junior high school (JHS 3) students on 29th June,” he stated.

    The Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah in an interview on Accra based Citi FM, when asked on how WASSCE candidates in Ghana alone were going to take their exams after WAEC suspended the exams for the entire West African region, he said the examination body would provide support for countries that would want to organise their independent examinations.

    The Minister explained that because Ghana had been able to bring the disease under control, it would organise the exams for its final year students with the support of WAEC.

     

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Kenyan leader ‘disturbed’ by rising coronavirus cases

    Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has expressed concern over the number of rising cases of coronavirus in the East African nation.

    In an interview aired by local broadcaster NTV, he said experts were predicting Kenya’s peak would be in August or September and said Kenyans had an individual responsibility to stop the spread of the virus.

    The country has been reporting hundreds of new cases every day as it scales up its testing capacity. The total number of confirmed cases stand at 1,962, including 64 deaths.

    President Kenyatta said the number of infections were low because a majority of Kenyans were following safety measures.

    The president lauded health-care workers for their response to the pandemic.

    The country has been on a nationwide dusk-to-dawn curfew for more than two months. Travel in and out of the capital, Nairobi, and three other coastal counties with a high number of cases is restricted.

    Read:

  • Borders closed, drinking bars, funerals and political rallies suspended

    President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, says activities that draws mass gatherings are still suspended.

    Addressing the nation in his 10th time since Ghana recorded the COVID 19 virus on March 12, the President extended the suspension of sporting events, night clubs, cinema, drinking spots, bars, beaches, festival funerals, political rallies and large religious gatherings such as crusades, pilgrimages and conventions.

    “Our borders, by air and sea remain closed until further notice for human traffic”, he added.

    The President however, noted that there is a special dispensation for Ghanaians stranded abroad to be evacuated back to the country.

    Nana Akufo-Addo admonished all Ghanaians that with the easing of restrictions, everyone must be responsible and observe all the hygienic protocols and social distancing.

    “We cannot afford to let our guard down, and ruin the successes we have chalked over this period. Yes, there exists the possibility of a potential surge in infections” he stated.

    The President said the government has further strengthened the existing national, regional and district response teams with the support of the security forces, to step up to deal with any eventuality.

    “We will continue to learn, review and adjust where and when we need to do so. We will only proceed with this staggered opening up of our country when it is safe to do so, President Nana Akufo stated.

    Source: theghanareport.com

  • Reverse decision to reopen schools for final year students – Lecturer to Akufo-Addo

    The decision by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to allow final-year students at all levels to resume has been described as terrible and a recipe for disaster.

    Lecturer and psychologist at the University of Education, Winneba, Mr. Samuel Ziggah made the call when asked his opinion about the decision to have final year students resume.

    The lecturer is of the view that we have open the flood-gate for an escalation of more COVID-19 cases.

    He wants the president to rescind the decision before we regret the outcome.

    He explained after schools were closed, some of the students travelled and asking them to return without proper mechanisms in place to check them would worsen our plight.

    ”Asking students to resume will worsen our cases. Our healthcare workers would be overwhelmed with more cases. We will have a break down of our health systems and so, I will encourage the president to rescind his decision with immediate effect,” he said.

    He added ”we are behaving as if the coronavirus is no longer with us but we are still having more cases. The argument put forward by the president before asking students to resume is not reasonable and dangerous for us. We are exposing students and Ghanaians to danger. If it will take two years for the coronavirus to be dealt with, we can wait. Education is not a race”.

    For him, there would not be a conducive environment for students to learn as anxiety will set in due to the fear for, the virus.

    ”This not easy. If our cases escalate, we will regret taking this decision. We do not have what it takes to deal with an escalation. Nurses and doctors are even dying from the virus. How much more citizens,” he lamented.

    ”No responsible parent will allow his or ward to go back to schools. The parents should resist this decision and protect their children.” he advised.

     

    Source: rainbownradioonline.com

  • Easing restrictions: Let’s be cautious – Alex Segbefia

    Former health minister and a member of the National Democratic technical team for the coronavirus, Mr. Alex Segbefia has bemoaned the lack of discipline as the government has eased restrictions on some aspect of social gatherings.

    He underscored the need for Ghanaians to be disciplined and adhere to the safety protocols despite alluding to the fact that discipline does not exist.

    He was worried some persons are still of the belief that the coronavirus was a myth.

    Mr. Segbefia admonished churches, mosques to put in measures to ensure the virus is contained.

    The easing of restrictions and the directive to allow the Electoral Commission and National Identification Authority (NIA) to resume their operations means they would be more contacts hence the need for strict measures to be taken to ensure the cases are not increased further.

    Speaking to Kwame Agyapong on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5f, he cautioned authorities not to bang all their hopes in our low mortality rate but rather strive to protect lives.

    Persons with underlining health conditions such as diabetics, heart disease, hypertension and others stand at higher risk should we record more cases and so we have to protect all these persons, he added.

    President Nana Akufo-Addo on Sunday announced changes to the COVID-19 protocols being implemented to contain the spread of the virus.

    Mr Akufo-Addo indicated that schools should resume for final year students in Universities, Senior High Schools (SHSs) and Junior High Schools (JHSs).

    Similarly, churches and mosques have been asked to resume normal worship services but only with 100 people in attendance during each period.

    Attendees are to wear masks, observe social distancing and names recorded for each service.

    Meanwhile, fumigation of churches, mosques and schools will be undertaken ahead of reopening whereas all teachers and students will be provided with face masks.

    Security services have been tasked to enforce rules of easing.

    The president declared that institutions who flout regulations will be sanctioned without fear or favour.

     

    Source: rainbownradioonline.com

  • Teachers need training on coronavirus case management – Education Watch

    The Executive Director of Africa Education Watch Kofi Asare has said teachers need training in managing Covid-19 cases in secondary schools as restrictions on school activities will be eased from June 5.

    According to him, teachers also needed to be trained in providing psycho-social supports to students who may have contracted the disease, as well as managing stigma attached to contracting the virus.

    He told Francis Abban on the Morning Starr Monday that his organisation has incorporated these recommendations in their letter to government on how to manage a COVID-19 secondary school environment.

    “Managing a Covid secondary school environment means that a teacher is the one who has custody of the children and for that matter needs to be trained on how to manage any possible case of Covid-19.

    “Any child who may have had COVID, the teacher would have to provide psycho-social support to the student. And giving the stigma attached to this, most students will be jittery and they may not have the right frame of mind to learn. The teachers will have to be giving psycho-social support to students. So, you need to train the teachers in all these,” he said.

    Mr Asare also noted further that teachers needed to be trained “on how to teach in a socially distant class such that movements are restricted, such that the teachers are wearing their PPEs and deployment of laser thermometers in schools.”

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Sunday, May 31 announced that churches and students will resume this month for final year students as part of measures to ease the restrictions introduced to slow the spread of the deadly COVID-19.

    Effective June 5, 2020, Churches can reopen with a maximum of 100 people under effective social distancing rules. Churches and Mosques must also not spend more than 1 hour during a service.

     

    Source: Starr FM

  • I mean how? Mixed reactions among UG students on easing of educational restrictions

    There is mixed reaction among some final year students of University of Ghana following easing of restrictions on educational activities.

    President Nana Akufo-Addo on Sunday announced that final year students in university, Senior High and Junior High Schools can return to school from June 15 to prepare for their exit exams.

    Social distancing and other safety measures must, however, be observed, the president added.

    The news has not gone down well with some of the students.

    JoyNews campus correspondent, Manuel Koranteng spoke to some final year students of the University of Ghana who had reservations about the returning to the lecture halls.

    One of the students said they have just begun adapting to online lectures and tests and they now have to reverse. “I mean how,” she quizzed.

    Some of them believed the e-learning was stressful and returning to the lecture halls is the right move.

     

    Source: myjoyonlineÂ