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Tag: coronavirus in Ghana

  • COVID-19 testing is free — GHS

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has cautioned the public to be careful about imposters who are extorting money from people in the name of contact tracing.

    It said the state was not charging any contact of COVID-19-infected persons money to have his or her sample taken and tested.

    The caution comes on the back of incidents reported to the Daily Graphic that some unscrupulous persons were calling people to demand mobile money transfers from those people for them to undergo testing to know their COVID-19 status.

    Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, the Head of the Public Relations Unit at the GHS, Mr Jacob Andoh, said: “We don’t take any money from anybody to take his or her sample; we have not sent any contact tracers to communities to take money from people either.”

    He said district offices of the GHS had trained contact tracing teams that included a medical laboratory scientist to collect the needed samples at no cost to anybody.

    “If anyone comes to you with such a proposal, please ask for his or her identity card and report him or her to the nearest police station. The sample taking and testing are at no cost to anyone,” he added.

    Modus operandi

    The alleged imposters call people on their mobile phones and tell them that they had been pencilled in for contact tracing and testing but the kit for the exercise had run out and demand between GH¢40 and GH¢65, through mobile money transfer, for the kit.

    The reports were received from people residing at Gbawe, Kasoa, Adenta and Ashaiman, where some contact tracing exercises had been going on.

    The GHS said it was going to investigate the matter and bring perpetrators to book.

    National update

    The GHS, through its official website, has indicated that since the first case of COVID-19 was recorded on March 12, 2020, a total of 2,032 contacts traced had tested positive, out of the total national confirmed cases of 3,091, as of the morning of May 8, 2020.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • U/E: COVID-19 may affect rice production in Builsa MoFA District Director

    Mr Sylvan Dauda Danaa, the Builsa South District Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in the Upper East Region, has said that COVID-19 might affect rice production in the area.

    He said there is a need for intensive education if production is to increase.

    According to him, even though there are plans to increase rice production in the District beyond the quantity produced last year, various concerns related to COVID-19 could cause many farmers, especially small scale farmers to downsize their production.

    He added that many of the farmers in the area are of the view that if they increase their farming activities, they would contract the virus since they would have to engage more human labour on their farms.

    He said Agriculture Extension Officers who are to engage the farmers, are often not well equipped with Personal Protective Equipment to enhance interaction.

    Mr Danaa, who made the call in an interview in Bolgatanga, said: “If you have a Farmer Based Organisation of 30 people, you cannot meet them to transfer technology to them and this would, in turn, affect farming.”

    The Director said there is the need for an emergency plan to handle the agricultural sector at this time of the pandemic as “farmers are scared to go to their farms because they mostly weed and apply fertilizers on their farms in groups.”

    He said with the current protocol of social distancing, farmers who hitherto engaged large groups of labourers to work on their farms would be compelled to reduce the numbers which would affect production.

    Mr Danaa said while monitoring farms in the District, “One of our farmers who by this time last year had cleared her land and started preparing for the season, had only cleared a little portion this time adding that she cannot farm on a large scale as she could be infected with the disease.”

    “This clearly shows that the understanding of the farmer about the virus is different. The farmers need to know that they can still farm, but observe the COVID-19 protocols within their farms,” the Director said.

    He said the District cultivated about 1,500 hectares of rice last year adding that “there is the possibility of us increasing because we have a potential of 4600 hectares that is yet to be developed for farming.”

    Mr Danaa said but for the COVID-19 pandemic, which may affect rice production, there is an opportunity for increased production this year, especially with the use of the improved seeds provided by the government.

    Speaking on the availability of the market for the rice if production is increased despite the pandemic, the Director said, “What happened last year, has led some organisations to see the need to buy the rice from our fields”.

    “Aside that, government strategy would be put in place to support the market of the produce. We will also be available to link some of our farmers to markets outside and within the region. So with that, I think the marketing will not be much of a problem.”

    Source: GNA

  • 8 Hospital Staff infected with Coronavirus in Upper East Region -GHS

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Upper East Region says the high infection rate among health professionals at the Regional hospital has the potential to interrupt routine service delivery.

    Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Bolgatanga, on the impact of the infection rate of staff of the Regional hospital on service delivery, Mr Zakariah Yakubu, the Head of Administration at the facility disclosed that a total of eight staff from the hospital were infected.

    He said before the results of staff that came in contact with confirmed patients were released, they were under self-quarantine for two weeks, Mr Yakubu said patient attendance to the hospital was generally low, “Work will continue as normal with more precaution. We have started mass testing for staff,” he added.

    According to a current COVID-19 situation report from the GHS in the Region, seven persons turned out positive out of 168 samples that were tested after the last update, representing 4.2 percent.

    Six people out of the seven new cases are contacts of a previously confirmed case while one was from routine surveillance which puts the total case count for the Region at 26, with 2 deaths.

    The report indicated that the second death in the Region was recorded in the Bawku Municipality on April 26, 2020, the same day a sample from the patient was taken for laboratory investigation, adding that the deceased had a co-morbid condition.

    Five Districts, namely the Bolgatanga, Bawku, Kassena-Nankana Municipalities, the Bawku West and Pusiga Districts have recorded cases of the virus, “Thirteen (13) cases are currently on admission. They are all stable and responding to treatment. Six of the seven cases are being prepared for admission,” the report said.

    Apart from the 33year old pregnant woman who fully recovered and was discharged, the report said three additional patients also fully recovered after two successive negative tests were conducted, which brings the total recovery cases in the Region to four including one patient who was translocated to Accra.

    From the report, 26 samples of suspected persons and contacts from the Bawku Municipality were sent for laboratory investigation, four out of the number turned out positive, and 18 were negative while four are pending.

    The Bawku West District had six samples from suspected persons and contacts, one turned out positive, and four were negative, with one pending, while the Binduri and Bolgatanga East Districts had one and two suspected cases respectively which all turned out negative.

    The Regional capital, Bolgatanga has the highest positive cases of 18, while 36 samples out of 412 were pending, as 358 turned out negative, Bongo District recorded no cases out of 12 suspected samples tested, ten came out negative with two pending.

    Builsa North and South recorded no positive cases, however, both Districts each have two pending results, out of four samples from the north, two were negative, and seven out of nine samples from the south turned out negative. The Kassana-Nankana West, Nabdam, Talensi, Garu and Tempane Districts had no recorded positive cases, and for Garu, 13 samples of suspected persons all turned out negative.

     

    Source: GNA

  • COVID-19 will vanish from Ghana after Churches are opened Prophet

    The Founder and Leader of the Jesus Deliverance Miracle Church, Prophet Thomas Oppong has said the Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease will cease in Ghana after churches are opened.

    The President, Nana Akufo-Addo as part of measures to curtail the spread of the disease in the country placed a ban on all public gatherings including schools and churches.

    The infection rate in the country has since increased to about 4,000 confirmed cases with 22 deaths and over 300 recoveries.

    In an exclusive interview with GhanaNewsPage.Com, the man of God said God has told him to inform the President to open up churches if Ghanaians want the infection rate to cease.

    According to him, God directed him to instruct the President to do the needful so that Christians can return to their places of worship and pray to God to intervene in the situation.

    Prophet Oppong said God in his own wisdom is calling on the President to take such a bold step as part of measures to curtail the spread of the disease.

    The man of God stated that the disease will cease within four weeks after the church is allowed back to worship God.

    Watch his full interview below:

     

    Source:  GhanaNewsPage.Com

  • Consider online adjudication in the midst of COVID-19 Judge

    Professor Justice Sir Dennis Adjei, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, has suggested that the Judicial Service considers authorising the conduct of some trials through electronic platforms and internet-based applications as a stop-gap measure to the fight of Covid-19.

    Professor Justice Sir Dennis Adjei made the call when he delivered via Zoom, the maiden lecture of the 14-week long Law and Ethics Web Series, on the theme: “Covid-19, Legal Practice and its implications for Judicial Decision Making”.

    The lecture is being jointly organised by the African Centre on Law and Ethics (ACLE) and the African Centre of International Criminal Justice (ACICJ), both based at the GIMPA Faculty of Law.

    Prof Justice Sir Adjei said, “Doctors are working, Engineers are working, Lecturers are teaching online, so Judges too must deliver and the Courts must work.”

    “In the phase of Covid-19, every institution must work but we must observe physical distancing and where you can use internet facility to achieve the purpose of your work, you must use it.”

    The Justice of the Court of Appeal said there were few laws on the statute books of Ghana that would have to be amended to accommodate his suggestion of online adjudication of court cases.

    “We should look at Order 33 of CI 47, which requires the Court to provide for a place of trial. It could be amended to include any other electronic mode that the Court may determine and not a physical place as in the courtroom,” he indicated.

    “Order 36 of the High Court civil procedure rules, CI 47, which requires parties to attend a trial in person and failure of which attracts sanctions could also be amended to make video link or any other digital means to amount to physical appearance”.

    The Law and Ethics Web Series is expected to be held every Wednesday at 1400 hours, which began May 6, this year, on the online meeting platform; Zoom.

    There are pending presentations on May 13, May 20, May 27, June 3, June 10, June 17, June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29, and August 5, which will come on as scheduled.

    Various speakers have been lined up for the series.

    It is being coordinated by Dr Kwaku Agyeman-Budu, a Lecturer and Head of Law Centre at the GIMPA Faculty of Law.

    The maiden session was moderated by Ms Diana Asonaba Dapaah, also a Lecturer at the GIMPA Faculty of Law, under the distinguished patronage of the Rector of GIMPA, Professor Philip Ebow Bondzi-Simpson.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghana’s coronavirus deaths jump from 18 to 22

    Ghana’s coronavirus deaths has risen from 18, to 22, with four new cases.

    The Ghana Health Service made this new information available on its website earlier today.

    The updates also sees the number of infections rise to 4,263 new cases.

    A statement on the GHS website reads: “The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases recorded in Ghana since the 12th of March 2020 is 4,263. There have been 378 recoveries and 22 deaths. Between the 7th and 8th May, a total of 251 new cases have been reported with the majority of them from the Greater Accra Region (205 cases representing 82%).”

    The Greater Accra region still leads with 3,641 cases whilst the Ashanti region follows with 252 cases.

    Find the regional breakdown below:

    Greater Accra Region – 3,641

    Ashanti Region – 252

    Eastern Region – 96

    Central Region – 62

    Western North Region – 56

    Western Region – 35

    Volta Region – 32

    Upper East Region – 26

    Oti Region – 24

    Upper West Region – 20

    Northern Region – 16

    North East Region – 2

    Bono Region – 1

    Savannah Region – 0

    Ahafo Region – 0

    Bono East Region – 0

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • I havent prophesied about a new virus after coronavirus Rev. Owusu Bempah

    Rev. Owusu Bempah has falsified media claims that he has prohesied about a new pandemic after the novel coronavirus outbreak in the world.

    Speaking with Nana Osei Bonsu Hoahi of Next Level Tv, the renowned preacher and man of God stated that, the covid-19 pandemic was a trial tactic by the manufacturers.

    According to the man of God, he gave a teaching about coronavirus and a more dangerous virus which will be released in the future through which the creators will use it vaccine production to claim power from the people and rule over them till the end of time.

     

    He was optimistic that the vaccine will be the”666″ God described in the book of revelations.

    Watch video below:

    Source: www.Ghgossip.com

  • Africa Academy of Science institutes $2.8million COVID-19 research fund

    The Africa Academy of Science (AAS) and its partners have mobilized a total of $2.8million to support key research priority areas across the African continent to help contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

    The priority research areas were identified by 844 researchers in the field of biomedical science, clinical, epidemiology, social science, policymakers, and infectious disease through a survey organised by the AAS on COVID-19.

    Madam Juliette Mutheu-Asego, the Head of Communications and Public Relations at AAS, speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview said the Academy would in the coming days issue a call to invite researchers to apply to the funds to conduct studies in the priority areas.

    The key research areas, she stated included; understanding the effectiveness of movement control strategies to prevent secondary transmission in health care and community settings, develop new Personal Protective Equipment approaches using local materials and manufacturing processes.

    She said the study flagged high the issues of researching into the conduct of rapid population cross-sectional surveys to establish the extent of virus transmission using a standardized sampling framework.

    Madam Mutheu-Asego said the survey recommended a special focus should be given to potentially at-risk groups including; malnourished individuals and people with HIV, TB Sickle Cell.

    She said it highlighted the development of protocols for the management of severe disease in the absence of intensive care facilities, determine optimal clinical practice strategies to improve the processes of care, and develop innovative approaches to use as alternatives to ventilation.

    The survey conducted in April, she noted flagged the examining of optimal ways of communicating about potential interventions in high-density low socio-economic status urban settings and ensures that knowledge was produced according to local, national and regional needs.

    The African Academy of Sciences, she said recognizes the speed and urgency that was required to build a scientific body of knowledge required to inform current outbreak mitigation policies.

    “Bearing in mind the limited time and resources available, the AAS is developing a credible research and development advisory that informs a coherent response backed by robust priorities for the continent to be ahead of the Covid-19 pandemic,” she noted.

    The initiative was to complement the work of the World Health Organisation and recently established Africa TaskForce for Novel Coronavirus under the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention that seeks to oversee preparedness and response to COVID-19.

    Professor Kwadwo Koram, the Immediate past Director of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) said the findings of the survey were curial to containing and reducing the spread of the pandemic.

    He said a priority area such as ascertaining the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 and understand the spread of disease nationally and regionally was on the radar of NMIMR and needed funding to undertake a study in that area.

    Prof Koram noted that with the needed support, a study could be done to describe the severity and susceptibility of the disease to facilitate effective clinical and public health response to COVID-19 identify groups at high risk of severe infection.

    He recalled that scientists NMIMR and West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens both at the University of Ghana have obtained information about the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected many countries globally.

    The breakthrough would enable scientists to understand how the genome works how genes work together to direct the growth, development, and maintenance of an entire organism.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Staff infection rate at UER Hospital likely to affect service delivery

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Upper East Region says the high infection rate among health professionals at the Regional hospital has the potential to interrupt routine service delivery.

    Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Bolgatanga, on the impact of the infection rate of staff of the Regional hospital on service delivery, Mr Zakariah Yakubu, the Head of Administration at the facility disclosed that a total of eight staff from the hospital were infected.

    He said before the results of staff that came in contact with confirmed patients were released, they were under self-quarantine for two weeks, Mr Yakubu said patient attendance to the hospital was generally low, “Work will continue as normal with more precaution. We have started mass testing for staff,” he added.

    According to a current COVID-19 situation report from the GHS in the Region, seven persons turned out positive out of 168 samples that were tested after the last update, representing 4.2 percent.

    Six people out of the seven new cases are contacts of a previously confirmed case while one was from routine surveillance which puts the total case count for the Region at 26, with 2 deaths.

    The report indicated that the second death in the Region was recorded in the Bawku Municipality on April 26, 2020, the same day a sample from the patient was taken for laboratory investigation, adding that the deceased had a co-morbid condition.

    Five Districts, namely the Bolgatanga, Bawku, Kassena-Nankana Municipalities, the Bawku West and Pusiga Districts have recorded cases of the virus, “Thirteen (13) cases are currently on admission. They are all stable and responding to treatment. Six of the seven cases are being prepared for admission,” the report said.

    Apart from the 33year old pregnant woman who fully recovered and was discharged, the report said three additional patients also fully recovered after two successive negative tests were conducted, which brings the total recovery cases in the Region to four including one patient who was translocated to Accra.

    From the report, 26 samples of suspected persons and contacts from the Bawku Municipality were sent for laboratory investigation, four out of the number turned out positive, and 18 were negative while four are pending.

    The Bawku West District had six samples from suspected persons and contacts, one turned out positive, and four were negative, with one pending, while the Binduri and Bolgatanga East Districts had one and two suspected cases respectively which all turned out negative.

    The Regional capital, Bolgatanga has the highest positive cases of 18, while 36 samples out of 412 were pending, as 358 turned out negative, Bongo District recorded no cases out of 12 suspected samples tested, ten came out negative with two pending.

    Builsa North and South recorded no positive cases, however, both Districts each have two pending results, out of four samples from the north, two were negative, and seven out of nine samples from the south turned out negative. The Kassana-Nankana West, Nabdam, Talensi, Garu and Tempane Districts had no recorded positive cases, and for Garu, 13 samples of suspected persons all turned out negative.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Ghanas coronavirus case count now 4,263 with four more deaths

    Ghana’s case count of the novel Coronavirusis now 4,263, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has reported.

    This latest update indicates that as of Saturday, May 9, 2020, 251 more cases were recorded with 378 recoveries.

    Four more deaths have been recorded taking the death toll to 22.

    This implies that, the number of active cases is now at 3,907.

    A statement on the GHS website reads: “The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases recorded in Ghana since the 12th of March 2020 is 4,263. There have been 378 recoveries and 22 deaths. Between the 7th and 8th May, a total of 251 new cases have been reported with the majority of them from the Greater Accra Region (205 cases representing 82%).”

    The Greater Accra region still leads with 3,641 cases whilst the Ashanti region follows with 252 cases.

    Find the regional breakdown below:

    Greater Accra Region – 3,641

    Ashanti Region – 252

    Eastern Region – 96

    Central Region – 62

    Western North Region – 56

    Western Region – 35

    Volta Region – 32

    Upper East Region – 26

    Oti Region – 24

    Upper West Region – 20

    Northern Region – 16

    North East Region – 2

    Bono Region – 1

    Savannah Region – 0

    Ahafo Region – 0

    Bono East Region – 0

    How coronavirus is crippling the beauty industry in Ghana

  • COVID-19 patient recaptured after escaping from quarantine

    A combined team of the Birim Central Municipal Health Directorate, the Oda police and the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) has recaptured a 27-year-old covid-19 patient who escaped from his confinement at Akwatia in the Denkyembuor District in the Eastern Region last week.

    Kwame Oduro was recaptured last Saturday at Apam in the Central Region where he had taken refuge.

    He has since been taken to the Kasoa Treatment Centre for quarantine and medication.

    Briefing

    Briefing the Daily Graphic at Oda yesterday, the Birim Central Municipal Director of Health Services, Mr James Avoka, said the Denkyembuor District Taskforce on covid-19 spotted Oduro at a check point at Akwatia.

    He said his temperature was found to be far above normal, so he was referred to the hospital where his sample was taken and later confirmed by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research to be coronavirus positive.

    Lockdown

    Mr Avoka said Oduro was among a number of people who fled Accra to Akwatia when the President announced the restrictions on movement in the city.

    He said Oduro was confined to Akwatia by the Denkyembuor District Assembly under police supervision, while steps were being taken to send him to Accra for quarantine and medical treatment.

    Mr Avoka said on April 28, 2020, the policeman guarding him sought shelter at the nearby barracks when it threatened to rain, but on his return he realised that Oduro had escaped.

    He said through investigations, the police tracked him to a village near Akwatia and later Oda and Akyem Aboabo.

    They caused announcements to be made on radio stations in Oda that whoever was harbouring the suspect should send him to the BNI Divisional Office at Oda.

    He said Oduro escaped to Apam when he heard the announcements.

    He said the Oda BNI collaborated with its counterpart at Apam and that led to Oduro being recaptured at his hideout in the community last Saturday.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Ghana benefits from €1.2b support from France to aid Africas fight against Covid-19

    France, through the French Development Agency (AFD) has launched a “Covid-19 Joint Health” initiative, which is a response to the global health crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in developing countries.

    Worth €1.2 billion, the initiative is entering its active phase in West Africa.

    In Ghana, a project implemented by the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development IRD, in partnership with the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious and Non-Communicable Diseases, WACCBIP, and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, NMIMR, of the University of Ghana, is supporting the strengthening of the national strategy to respond to the epidemic.

    AFD says it is investing money into Coronavirus research because “since Noguchi and WACCBIP institutions are buds for the Ghanaian response plan for Covid19, by way of Laboratory and Epidemiology, the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, IRD has been partnering with both of them for a while, that is why it is important for AFD to support them to bring a lasting solution to the pandemic in Ghana.

    This funding is, therefore, an opportunity to deepen this relevant partnership on key aspects of the Ghanaian Covid-19 response plan, especially in the area of testing”.

    Country Director of Agence française de développement, AFD, Jildaz Evin in an interview with the GBC said: “the assistance to Ghana is mainly to support testing and collect data to provide domestic solutions to the pandemic.”

    For the next two years, the IRD will support the research-action on the pandemic and the definition of the Ghanaian response. The project is fully funded by AFD for more than €185,000.

    The implementation include training, supply of equipment and consumables, to enable the Health Researchers to carry out direct diagnosis and characterization of the SARS-COV 2 virus on a large scale and also conduct sero-epidemiological surveys in the population. Furthermore, epidemiological field surveys and developing modeling approaches will be carried out.

    AFD said the activities will be carried out in partnership with the managers of the Covid-19 National Response Program. Also, five other countries including Benin, Guinea and Senegal are expected to benefit from the IRD support for a total grant of €1.2 million mobilised by AFD. Professor Eric Delaporte from IRD will Co-ordinate the entire project.

    Director General of AFD, Mr. Rémy Rioux, pointed: “being involved in the unprecedented global solidarity drive to face the Covid-19 health crisis in Africa, AFD is fully committed to a targeted response to the health challenges posed by this pandemic.”

     

  • CNN: A solar-powered hand-washing basin encourages personal hygiene in Ghana amidst coronavirus

    On the morning of March 30 after government officials issued a two-week lockdown to control the spread of Covid-19 in Ghana, a leather shoemaker based in the Ashanti region’s capital city, Kumasi, stared at a recycled barrel and conceived an idea.

    “My brother (Jude Osei) and I decided we would create a basin to encourage regular hand-washing etiquette,” Richard Kwarteng, 32, told CNN.
    They created a solar-powered hand-washing basin. In one of the first of its kind in the country, they wanted the device to be solar-powered and timed with a sensor, in accordance with the 20-second hand-washing guidance issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Getting supplies

    They had less than 48 hours to gather supplies before the lockdown took effect. Without hesitation, they headed to a local market for supplies. On the shopping list: a sink, a faucet, a motherboard, a solar panel, a sensor, and an alarm.
    When they got home, Kwarteng called a friend and electrician, Amkwaah Boakye, to handle the wiring before the brothers programmed the device to release soapy water when hands or other items came in contact with a sensor stored underneath the faucet. After 25 seconds, an alarm goes off indicating hand-washing is complete, then water is released to rinse hands before drying. The team began and finished the project in five days.
    Osei recorded a video of Kwarteng demonstrating how to use the device and posted it on social media. It immediately went viral. “It was amazing to see the shares and likes,” said Kwarteng. “We started getting calls left and right. We were so proud of ourselves,” he added.

     

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    Working with the government

    In less than two days, Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation contacted the brothers and a meeting has been scheduled to determine if additional machines can be manufactured and placed in cities throughout the country, said Kwarteng.
    In an address to the nation in early April, President Akufo-Addo commended the men and acknowledged that the “Ghanaian sense of enterprise and innovation is beginning to be felt.”
    Kwarteng says he plans to help stop the spread of the virus by making the device available throughout the continent.
    “I pray this pandemic will go away and there are better days ahead,” he said. “We hope this will help people to practice normal hand-washing etiquette and we are very grateful for everyone’s support.”
    Ghana currently has more than 3,000 cases of the coronavirus. The invention comes at a time when the global pandemic has begun to pummel parts of Africa, infecting over 53,000 people. Globally, more than 3.9 million people have contracted the virus. At least 274,000 people have died.
    Source: CNN

  • Coronavirus: Government should enlist churches to educate Ghanaians – Psychologist

    Professor Joseph Osafo, Head of Psychology Department of the University of Ghana, has called on government to engage religious leaders in giving public education on the novel Coronavirus pandemic.

    According to the professional psychologist, many Ghanaians have reposed confidence in their pastors and take their word as the finality of an issue.

    He recounted ridiculous spiritual directions by some Pastors to their congregants and followers which have no scientific basis and not proven to be efficacious medication for the treatment of Coronavirus or any disease.

    He alluded to a recent spiritual directive by a Pastor that people should search their bibles and will find a feather that will miraculously cure Coronavirus and other unsubstantiated claims given by some religious leaders to have medicinal properties.

    Professor Joseph Osafo, speaking on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’, noted that Pastors and churches have a major influence on their members to the extent that the members turn to them for all medical advice instead of consulting health Professionals.

    “In one city in Accra in Ghana, over 25% of them called their Pastors and asked them for prayer, and even asked their Pastors what they should do. So, you can imagine if the Pastor who believes in taking medicine, he will tell you to stay home and pray. The role they play is a critical role. Some Pastors even tell their members not to undergo surgery for reason being that they will die if they do and directs them to rely on his prayer meanwhile the person is deteriorating,” he recounted.

    He appealed to government to enlist some genuine faith-based institutions to help in educating Ghanaians on the impact of the pandemic and the seriousness in strictly adhering to the health instructions to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in the country.

    He believed the religious leaders are a part of “frontline workers” and their role is crucial to the fight against the pandemic.

    “. . In fact, they’re a major source of health information now . . . And under pandemics, what you want to avoid is miscommunication, rumors, unvalidated claims. You want to avoid that because it can make people react towards health workers. They will not even disclose if someone is infected. They will keep it. So, some of them are calling on their Pastors . . . people were calling their Pastors. They never called medical Doctors. So, they’re major tools for health information and the government should look at very organized churches and resource the Pastors. It is even a WHO policy recommendation that you work with faith-based organizations,” he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • Coronavirus has given us an opportunity to expand health infrastructure – Majority Leader

    Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu has suggested the outbreak of the coronavirus has exposed the deficit in health infrastructure of the country and at the same time, provided us with an opportunity to close the gaps.

    The legislator who is also the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs told Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm that the decision by the government to construct 88 new district hospitals and six new regional hospitals within a year is not a political gimmick as opined by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu said we are faced with a health crisis that calls for a drastic approach and initiatives to help resolve the crisis.

    President Akufo-Addo stated during his eighth Coronavirus address to the nation recorded and broadcast on TV that his administration would construct 88 district hospitals and 6 new regional hospitals.

    Akufo-Addo indicated that each, of these district hospitals “will be a quality, standard-design, one hundred bed hospital, with accommodation for doctors, nurses and other health workers, and the intention is to complete them within a year.”

    “We have also put in place plans for the construction of six new regional hospitals in the six new regions, and the rehabilitation of the EffiaNkwanta Hospital, in Sekondi, which is the regional hospital of the Western Region.

    “We are going to beef up our existing laboratories and establish new ones across every region for testing. We will establish three infectious disease control centres for each of the zones of our country, i.e. Coastal, Middle belt and Northern, with the overall objective of setting up a Ghana Centre for Disease Control,” he promised.

    He has been widely criticised for his plan with some saying it is unachievable.

    However, Mr. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu has disagreed stressing this is an opportunity for the nation to expand its health infrastructure.

    “This is a good opportunity for us to expand our health infrastructure. It is unwise to politicise this,” he said.

     

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Smoking marijuana actually kills coronavirus – Kwesi Pratt stunned by new study

    Kwesi Pratt, Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, is utterly shocked by a new study that indicates nicotine could prevent infection and serious illness from coronavirus.

    A recent French study has indicated that nicotine is helpful in guarding against coronavirus, functioning as an anti-inflammatory agent that kills the virus.

    Nicotine is a stimulant and alkaloid poison in tobacco and used for smoking.

    Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo”, the seasoned Journalist was amazed to find out smoking helps in both prevention and recovery against the current pandemic.

    “It blew my mind. It blew my mind completely. When the disease started, we were told that if you smoke, the likelihood to contract the disease is very strong and your recovery is not as good as the non-smokers and so on…Just last week, according to a French scientist’s research, they have discovered that nicotine is good against COVID-19 meaning smoking marijuana is helpful. So, how do you deal with this situation because the earlier protocol was that smokers should stop smoking? French scientists are on the other hand saying smoking helps because the nicotine is good,” he said.

    Although nicotine may help in fighting the virus, doctors have cautioned that it is not a license to pick up a smoking habit.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • 10 Togolese who entered Ghana illegally repatriated

    Ten Togolese who illegally entered Ghana have been repatriated to Togo after serving a 14-day mandatory quarantine.

    One of them had tested positive to the deadly coronavirus.

    The Ghana Immigration Service in Aflao on Friday handed over the 10 people to the Togolese health and national security officials at the Aflao border.

    The 10 entered Ghana on March 27 through unapproved routes in the Bono region and were intercepted at Duadaso Police checkpoint.

    They were isolated upon their arrest and tested for coronavirus thereafter. The result of one of them came out positive.

    After serving their compulsory isolation, Ghanaian security officials handed over to the Togolese nationals.

    A team led by one Lt. Mahinou Rock from the Commission for COVID-19 in Togo received Mandanakou Kodjo whose sputum tested positive.

    Mandanakou Kodjo was transferred into another ambulance parked at the Togo side of the Aflao border whilst the other nine were driven onboard the Bono Regional Coordinating Council bus into Hotel Ibis in Lome.

    The Ghana Immigration Service said they will ensure no one enters the country illegally during the border closure.

     

    Source: 3 News

  • 323 coronavirus patients recover in Ghana

    323 COVID-19 patients have recovered, the Ghana Health Service has announced on Friday.

    The GHS further said that Ghana’s COVID-19 cases have now reached 4,012.

    The new figure represents an increase of 921 cases from the last update announced on Thursday by the GHS.

    The death toll however remains at 18.

    The Greater Accra region still leads as the nations hotspot with 3,436 cases with the Ashanti Region following closely with 210 cases.

    With the Bono Region recording its first case on Thursday, the Savannah, Ahafo and Bono East areas are the only Regions yet to record a case.

    Below are the Regional count from the highest to lowest

    Greater Accra Region 3,436

    Ashanti Region 210

    Eastern Region 96

    Central Region 58

    Western North Region 56

    Western Region 35

    Volta Region 32

    Upper East Region 26

    Oti Region 24

    Upper West Region 20

    Northern Region 16

    North East Region 2

    Bono Region 1

    Savannah Region 0

    Ahafo Region 0

    Bono East Region 0

    Source: Class FM

  • Coronavirus will not be in Ghana had Akufo-Addo not traveled to Norway – NDC Deputy Communications officer

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Deputy National Communications Officer, Kweku Boahen, has stressed that a survey he has firmly conducted shows that COVID-19 which the country is strongly battling within every angle of its economy will have been with us today had President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo not traveled to Norway during the early days of it’s spread.

    “Ghana will not have had any case of COVID-19 had President Akufo-Addo not traveled to Norway” he categorically stated.

    According to him, sometimes as the largest opposition party in the country, they need to be listened to since they also conduct important investigations for the growth of the country.

    “We warned citizens against foreign travels during the early days of COVID-19 in some foreign countries but the president neglected us and went to Norway, therefore the hardship we find surrounding us today” he added.

    However, in a detailed pronouncement on UTV’s ‘Adekye Nsroma’ political discussion programme, the NDC guru pointed out that President Akufo-Addo on his monetary laid out policies in fighting COVID-19 are ways of misusing state funds, to fill his family financial account.

    “All the President is interested in is positioning members of his family to be in charge of state funds to help build up their family account, especially the Finance Minister and the Chief Justice (RTD) Sophia Akufo who after pension has been elected back into government to be in charge of the COVID-19 funds. Can’t the President get any other trusted active person to be in charge of this fund?” he asked.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Give us PPE, our members are scared of contracting COVID-19 Private Health Association to government

    The Private Health Association of Ghana has said some private health facilities intend folding up their activities due to the lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

    According to the Association, some facilities are shutting down their operations due to the fear that their staff might contract the disease.

    The government announced on Wednesday, the allocation of 1.2 million PPE to health facilities in the country.

    However, in an interview with Citi News, President of the Private Health Association, Samuel Donkor said they are yet to receive PPE from the government.

    “We are just struggling all over. We are not being paid to fight COVID-19. We are not being paid to buy PPE and fight COVID-19. There is no support from the government,” he said

    “Thousands of PPE have been supplied and we do not even know where they are. Some of us are folding up our activities due to the fear of contracting the disease and spreading it.

    Globally the deficit of PPE amid the novel coronavirus pandemic has been a major point of concern and Ghana has not been an exception.

    The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has also reiterated its concerns over the distribution of PPE to health facilities after the confirmation that 13 members of the group who are medical doctors, tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

    The government says it has enabled significant domestic production and supply of protective equipment to health workers.

    President Nana Akufo-Addo recently noted that 905,031 nose masks, 31,630 medical scrubs, 31,472 gowns, 46,870 headcovers, and 83,500 N-95 face masks have been available.

    Giving some advice on the distribution on face masks, the Africa Centre for Health Policy urged a more equitable approach.

    “You look at densely populated areas and areas that are recording more cases of COVID-19 compared with areas that are not recording more cases so that you can direct more of the face masks to areas that are densely populated and areas that are hotspots,” the Executive Director of the Centre, Ahmed Farhan, said.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Coronavirus: Bono Region steps up Enhanced Port Surveillance after first case

    The Bono Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) has stepped up measures to prevent community spread of Coronavirus in the region.

    This comes in after the region confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus since its outbreak in the country.

    Measures adopted by the RCC and the Regional Public Health Emergency Management Committee include an increase in port surveillance and behaviour change communication (BCC).

    Speaking at a press briefing to provide an update on the first case of coronavirus in the region, the Regional Health Director, Dr. Kofi Issah, revealed that the Health Directorate has since made improvements in their activities in order to prevent community spread.

    According to him, the Health Directorate has since increased preventive measures in relation to pandemic preparedness and response rate in the region.

    “As at this afternoon (7th May 2020), contact tracing teams have been to the field to take samples from identified primary contacts of the quarantined. We have stepped up surveillance in our 12 districts to enable us gain a broader picture of the state of infection within the region and thereby respond appropriately. We have also increased behaviour change communication (BCC) and continue to emphasize social distancing to prevent community spread”.

    Dr. Issah revealed that the Bono Region has investigated 583 suspected cases and taken 202 samples. Out of the number, they have received the results of 128 samples with one positive case.

    He urged residents in the region to remain calm and adhere fully to the hygiene protocols announced by the President and the Ghana Health Service.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • SSNIT Hospital shut down, 60 workers including doctors self-quarantine after two COVID-19 cases

    The main branch of The Trust Hospital (SSNIT Hospital), located on the Oxford Street of Osu, has asked about 60 workers comprising doctors, nurses and other staff to self-quarantine after recording two cases.

    The hospital has also been shut for fumigation following the development.

    Accra-based Joy FM reported on Friday that the patients have been on admission to the hospital for close to a week. They tested positive for COVID-19, after their samples were analysed following pronounced symptoms of the infection.

    Management had no choice but to instruct all persons who came into contact with the patients to self-isolate as close contacts have been quarantined.

    At the same time, samples of the contacts have been taken to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) for further analyses.

    Consequently, the hospital has shut down the facility with fumigation expected to take place on May 9 and May 10.

    “The main branch of the hospital will resume work on Monday, May 11, 2020”, a statement from the hospital said.

    Patients on admission have been transferred to the Sunkwa Road branch of the hospital, also at Osu, located at the Kuku Hills. Out Patients Department (OPD) and emergency services will be undertaken at the same branch.

    The hospital has also requested clients to seek services at its other branches dotted in the Greater Accra Region or consider telemedicine for medical services.

     

    Source: theghanareport.com

  • Coronavirus: We need to value ‘cleaners’, their lives are in danger – Charles Owusu

    An aide to the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu has called on various institutions and the entire Ghanaian populace to respect “cleaners” in the country, stressing their lives are more at risk in this time of Coronavirus.

    According to him, cleaning services have been relegated for far too long and it is about time employers value their work.

    “Cleaners don’t get premium treatment because of the work they do. This pandemic is supposed to be a wake-up call for their services to be valued. They are more at risk to this disease because we rely on them to clean our door knobs, tables and so forth”.

    He also applauded frontline health workers for their selfless work in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “We should respect every person.”

    No Respecter Of Persons

    Speaking on Thursday’s edition of ‘Kokrokoo’ on Peace FM, Charles Owusu also expressed disgust over Ghanaians’ utter disregard of the preventive measures towards the pandemic.

    He warned Ghanaians to stop being recalcitrant because COVID-19 “is no respecter of a politician or Religion. It doesn’t know a Christian or a non-believer and cares not about your position or status”, and further admonished the citizenry to “comply with the preventive measures given by our health experts and leaders of the economy for had I known is always at last”.

    Case Count

    Ghana’s COVID-19 case count has risen to 3,091 from 2,719, according to the Ghana Health Service.

    The Health Service further revealed 303 recoveries and 18 deaths as of May 7, 2020.

    Source: Peace FM

     

  • Coronavirus: A kairos moment to make the world better – Palmer Buckle

    The Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast, Most Reverend Charles Palmer-Buckle says the coronavirus pandemic presents an opportunity for the world to be made a much more better place

    Speaking on his vision of events post the pandemic, the Catholic leader described the current situation as a kairos moment of grace that is to be seized by humanity to remake the world a better place.

    “One way or the other I see this as a kairos, a moment of grace that God has given to the world for us to remake the world, to rebuild the world to make it a better place.”

    The Archbishop who was speaking to Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong on his “What is Next” TV programme expressed hope that events that will succeed the COVID-9 pandemic will reveal a more peaceful world live by better humans who will look out for each other.

    “It is my hope that comes COVID-19 and gone we shall be better human beings in a more peace and loving world, in a world where everybody feels we are members from one home, Co-responsible for one another.” He added.

    Following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, a lot of religious leaders have been advising people to not only see it as the havoc-wreaking virus that it is but to also see it as an opportunity for the world and humanity to draw closer to each other.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

     

  • Police officer, two Nigeriens recover from coronavirus

    Three COVID-19 patients who tested positive on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 have now tested negative in two consecutive tests in the past two weeks.

    Two of the patients are the Nigeriens who were tested by the Ghana Health Service at the Accra Central Police Station and handed over to the Ghana Police Hospital for isolation and treatment.

    The third one is a member of the Ghana Police Service, a statement issued by the PRO of Ghana Police Hospital, DSP Yaw Nketia-Yeboah said on Thursday.

    “The three COVID-19 patients tested negative on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 after testing negative last week. All the three were discharged yesterday Wednesday, May 06, 2020.”

    The two Nigeriens, the statement said, will be handed over to their Diplomatic Mission in Ghana.

    Meanwhile, management of the Hospital has encouraged members of the public to comply with the existing Presidential Order on public gathering in the performance of their day-to-day activities to help curb the novel Coronavirus pandemic.

    The statement also advised the public to use approved ace masks and learn to wear them correctly to help curb the spread of the virus.’

    Source: 3 News

  • Contact tracing for Bono region’s first COVID-19 case begins, 78 samples collected

    Samples of 78 persons who came into contact with a 27-year old Togolese man, who is the first person to test positive of COVID-19 in the Bono Region, have been sent to the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) for testing.

    They include immigration officials, police personnel and court officials who have been identified and listed as those who have had contacts with the Togolese national who entered the country through Sampa in the Jaman North District.

    Arrest

    The 27-year old Togolese and nine others were arrested by officials of the Ghana Immigration Service on April 28, 2020 for illegally entering the country, arraigned before a court in Berekum and quarantined afterwards for testing.

    Test results received on May 6, 2020 from the KCCR showed that only the 27-year old Togolese out of the 10 tested positive of the coronavirus disease, thus making the Bono Region the 13th region to contract the disease.

    Earlier reports indicated that the Togolese had for some time now been assisting other nationals to enter Ghana through unapproved routes until his apprehension on April 28, this year.

    Media briefing

    Addressing the media in Sunyani today [Friday, May 8, 2020], the Bono Regional Director of Health, Dr Kofi Issah explained that 61 out of the 78 contacts were recorded at Sampa while the remaining 17 contacts were recorded at Berekum.

     

    He explained that all the 78 contacts had been quarantined while awaiting for their results.

    He said contact tracing was still ongoing to identify people who might have being in contact with the Togolese.

    “Even if the results of their tests prove negative after 14 days, they will still be quarantined for another 14 days for us to be double sure that they are not carrying the virus”, Dr Issah stated.

    He, therefore, called on residents in the Jaman North District who came into contact with the Togolese but were yet to be identified to show up to make the ongoing contact tracing exercise successful.

    Protocols

    Dr Issah called on the media to intensify their education on the need for resident in the region to observe all the precautionary protocols outlined by the Ghana Health Service now that the region had had its first case of COVID-19.

    He explained that while the wearing of face masks was very important, it should be done alongside the routine handwashing with soap under running water and social distancing.

    Dr Issah warned against the occasional touching of the face masks explaining that the practice could contaminate the masks and thereby posed a threat to those wearing them to contract COVID-19 and other viruses.

    Testing centre

    Answering a question on the need for a COVID-19 testing centre in the region, Dr Issah announced that plans were far advanced for the provision of the necessary machinery and equipment for the Kintampo Centre for Health Research (KCHR).

    That, according to him, would enable results of samples collected on suspected carriers of COVID-19 to be done and released early enough to avoid the delays that characterise the current situation where they sent to KCCR in KUmasi.

    Regional Minister

    In a statement read on her behalf, the Bono Regional Minister, Mrs Evelyn Ama Kumi-Richardson stated that the remaining nine immigrants had been handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and the National Security for further action.

    She stated that the Regional COVID-19 Response Team had stepped up surveillance in all the 12 districts and municipalities to gain a broader picture of the state of infection within the region and thereby respond appropriately.

    “I urge everyone in the region to adhere fully to the hygiene protocols as announced by the President and the Ghana Health Service. There should be no cause for fear and panic. Let us remain calm while observing the requisite social distancing protocols and wearing of face masks”, she pleaded.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Government starts 3-day assessment of COVID-19 impact on the economy

    The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah has announced on Thursday at a press briefing in Accra the government will today, Thursday, 7 May 2020, begin a three-day retreat to examine data gathered on the impact of the novel coronavirus on all sectors of the economy and proffer measures to return the economy back to its previous state,

    Mr Nkrumah said the President has directed all ministers to examine the impact of the virus on their respective sectors and provide recommendations on how to bring these sectors back on track.

    “The President has instructed all ministers to report on the impact on their sectors and proffer recommendations for recovery at the 3-day retreat”, he said.

    The minister said the cabinet will then commence a process of examining data so far gathered on the impact of the COVID-19 across the governance sectors in the country and have a better understanding of its impact on all sectors of the economy.

    “In addition, the retreat will give the government the opportunity to put together information for the 2020 mid-year budget review”, he added.

    The government has earmarked GHS600million stimulus package to assist small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in the wake of the COVID-19.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Coronavirus: Assin Fosu adopts shift system for traders at town market

    The Assin Fosu Municipal Assembly has introduced a colour-coded shift system for traders at the Assin Fosu Town and Station market in a bid to prevent overcrowding amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

    In a brief meeting on May 04, 2020, the Assin Fosu Municipal Environmental Officer, Mr. Agyare Emmanuel, said the shift system was agreed on after a meeting with all Market queens and the Municipal Security Council.

    He said each of the two shifts will be identified by a uniquely designed card in red or blue colours.

    Per the arrangement, traders will be grouped into two categories and each
    the group identified by one of the colours.

    “Only traders with the cards will be allowed to trade in the market henceforth; one group will go on Tuesday while the other group will go on Friday”.

    Mr. Agyare stressed that, any trader who will flout the rules will be banned from selling at the market.

    The queen mothers on behalf of the traders welcomed the policy and pledged to abide by it.

    Source: GNA

  • More than 200,000 businesses to benefit from GH¢600 million stimulus package

    More than 200,000 Micro, small and medium Enterprises are expected to benefit from the GH¢600 million COVID-19 Alleviation Programme (CAP) Business Support Scheme.

    Mrs Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, the Executive Director of the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), who announced this at a briefing at the Ministry of Information, on Thursday, said steps were being taken to operationalise the scheme soon.

    She said about 80 per cent of the businesses are in the micro category. President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo committed GH¢600 million as a stimulus package to support the hardest hit Ghanaian businesses in the category of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in both the formal and informal sectors. The MSMEs make up about 70 percent of the Ghanaian economy.

    Mrs Yankey-Ayeh said the NBSSI had over the past few weeks had deep and extensive engagements with multiple stakeholders, including financial institutions, associations, trade groups, service providers, and consultants to ensure that they were all aligned with the products that the business scheme would roll out to achieve a common goal.

    “We have been supported by our Board and the Ministry of Finance and their team to ensure that we work assiduously to implement the project to all qualifying entities,” she said.

    “The NBSSI has also worked closely with various stakeholders to come out with eligibility criteria and really tighten it in such a way that it allows people to have the option to apply for the facility”.

    Mrs Yankey-Ayeh said to ensure the success, efficiency and transparency of the programme, an online portal had been developed to be approved by the Board of Directors, and it would be stress-tested by independent consultants to ensure that all implementation challenges were minimised and tested.

    “We will also create the opportunity for those who are not technology savvy or have limited access in remote districts to have access to partake in the business support scheme,” she said.

    “We believe that we are in the position to operationalise the service soon. We also will be communicating to the general public as of today to get them ready to prepare,” Mrs Yankey-Ayeh added.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghanaian develops a low-cost smart thermometer

    The Journal of the American Medical Association Report in February, 2020 put the percentage of Covid-19 patients who had fever at 98.

    Gun thermometers, therefore, come in handy for measuring temperature, but they are largely imported, expensive and can scan only one person at a time.

    Thankfully, a low-cost smart thermometer equipped with an App, developed by a Ghanaian engineer can address all these concerns.

    Ghanaian develops smart thermometer

    Source: Kwasi Debrah| JoyNews correspondent  

  • Obuasi Central Market shut down over coronavirus

    The Obuasi Municipal assembly has closed the Obuasi Central Market to enforce social distancing directive in the wake of COVID-19.

    Two other markets have also been shut down by the authorities.

    The municipal assembly has also directed all drinking spot operators to close down their shops effective this morning.

    The assembly has also directed residents in the community to compulsorily wear nose mask.

    The Municipal Chief Executive of Obuasi Elijah Adansi Bonah announced these directives while addressing a news conference in the municipality to outdoor new measures adopted by the Assembly in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

    The move became needful after cases of the virus started rising in the Municipality. Obuasi is currently the epicentre of the virus in the Ashanti Region which with 47 positive cases.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Bawumia has nothing good to contribute to coronavirus fight – General Mosquito

    The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, popularly known as General Mosquito has taken a swipe at the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

    The NDC scribe said the Vice President has demonstrated that he has nothing good to offer in Ghana’s fight against the novel COVID-19.

    General Mosquito said recent comments by Dr. Bawumia shows that he is not adhering to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo‘s directive of taking politics out of the fight.

    He explained that since the outbreak of the COVID-19 in the country, every instruction given by the President has been flouted by NPP government officials.

    “I think that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has nothing to contribute to the COVID-19 debate and fight and he wants people to stop concentrating on the virus and talk about probably the one-village-one-dam, one-district-one-factory and one-constituency-one-million dollars because since the outbreak of the virus, I have not heard anything from him except that he launched an app (the COVID-19 Tracker App) which they said can track people with the virus . . .

    ” . . Every attempt made by these people is aimed at shifting our focus from the fight against the virus and in the end discuss something different, but if the President is satisfied that there is no emergency anymore, then he should lift the restriction and do his politics,” he stated.

    According to the NDC Chief Scribe, whereas President Akufo-Addo has called for nationalistic approach to resolve the COVID-19 scourge, his very own appointees at every given opportunity do not say anything about the pandemic.

    He cited the action by the National Identification Authority (NIA) the first day President Akufo-Addo banned public gathering to continue registering people in the Eastern Region, and the EC’s decision to hold a meeting on the elections with its regional officers in Accra as examples.

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • COVID-19: Government must evacuate Ghanaian citizens abroad Minority

    The Minority in Parliament has called on the government to evacuate Ghanaian citizens stranded in other countries due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Both the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) have made provisions for their citizens in Ghana to be evacuated, since the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus in Ghana.

    The US has so far evacuated over 1,400 American citizens and permanent residents of the US.

    The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu at a press conference on Thursday called on the government of Ghana to make similar arrangements for Ghanaian citizens abroad to be evacuated under strict protocols.

    “Many other countries are evacuating their citizens. India has done it, South Africa has done, UK has done it. It is our considered view that just as our government is able to open our airports despite the closures for foreign nationals to be evacuated, the government should do same by providing a narrow opportunity under strict evacuation protocols of screening, testing and quarantining when necessary in order to secure the safety of Ghanaians abroad.”

    This is the second wave of calls for Ghanaian citizens abroad to be evacuated.

    The first call which had to do with Ghanaian students in China intensified when the virus was fast-spreading in some parts of China.

    The Minority, the China chapter of National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and parents had called on the government to evacuate Ghanaian students from the country, to protect them from contracting the disease.

    The President in response to these calls had said the government will evacuate students from China if other options aimed at confining the disease to the area of origin fails.

    “The government is in constant touch with experts on the subject who have advised that the basic principle of public health is to confine the disease to the area of origin but we have not ruled out the option of evacuating the students from Wuhan if that becomes necessary.”

    “We have put in place measures to ensure that if the evacuation happens, it will not lead to the dissemination of fear and panic amongst the general population, ” the President said while delivering the 2020 State of the Nation Address.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • The entire world is in ICU not only Ghana, this’s a needles ‘political ridicule’ – Baako tells Mahama

    Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has censured former President John Dramani Mahama for claiming Ghana’s economy is in tatters under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    Having a digital dialogue with Ghanaians, the former President lamented about the performance of the Akufo-Addo administration with particular emphasis on how he is handling the pandemic crisis of COVID-19.

    Mr. Mahama stated emphatically that “just one month of this Government funding just some sections of the economy and vulnerable persons at home due to the coronavirus, our economy has gone to the ICU and is in tatters now and needs critical health examination”.

    The former President further asserted that the current administration has put the economy on ventilators in need of a breakthrough which he can offer when re-elected into office.

    Reacting to the former President’s remarks, Kweku Baako posited that he (Mahama) seeks to only politically ridicule the present administration despite efforts by the President to drive Ghanaians to safety, taking into focus the current pandemic confronting them.

    “To be honest, I didn’t expect that from former President Mahama. All the big economies in the world are on their knees. All are on their knees. All are in ICU. All of them are on ventilators. It’s not an exclusive matter peculiar to Ghana.”

    “I got a feeling that it all amounted to political ridicule. That’s the impression I got because it’s a serious matter . . . We all know the Ghanaian economy and not just Ghanaian, the African or if you like the third world, the developing countries have in-depth structural deficiencies and inadequacies. That’s why we keep talking about the structural transformation of our economy and this begun from Nkrumah time. He had a more focused agenda but even for him, long before he was overthrown, we were still grappling with the structural deficiencies because it’s a process. It’s not an event,” he said on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo/ on Wednesday.

     

    He questioned Mahama’s logic for embarking on such a political journey saying “if you have been the leader of the country before and you make that statement, for me, I think you’re ridiculing the situation. That’s what I mean by political ridicule and that ought not to have come from that source”.

    To Kweku Baako, the former President is making mismatching the performance of his administration vis-à-vis the Akufo-Addo government.

    “NPP took over in 2017. Before 2017, what was the state of the economy? We’re not talking of having structurally transformed the Ghanaian economy. We’re talking of having brought some efficiency relative to economic management. That’s the distinction because we’re still on the journey,” he pointed out.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • Six Burkinabes busted for entering Ghana illegally

    Six Burkina Faso nationals have been apprehended by the Immigration Patrol Team with the support of police personnel on duty at the Nadowli police checkpoint.

    Preliminary investigations revealed that the six ECOWAS nationals comprised of four males and two females and their ages ranged from 2 and 55.

    They all entered into Ghana through unapproved routes. They hired a minibus with registration number BA 2761-14 with the intent of using an alternative route to Wa in order to swerve the immigration officials on duty at the Babile inland checkpoint.

    Upon a tip-off, the patrol team chased the minibus and intercepted it with the ECOWAS nationals at a police checkpoint.

    They were screened by the health personnel and subsequently sent to the Hamile sector command where they were handed over to the Burkina Faso authorities on the other side of the border.

     

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Upper West coronavirus patients contacts test positive for virus

    Three persons from the Wa Municipality who came into contact with a Nigerian who tested positive for Covid-19 have also tested positive.

    The patient initially escaped and was later arrested and mandatorily quarantined for treatment.

    The three have since been taken to the treatment centre at the Regional Hospital.

    The Upper West Region has recorded 11 additional cases of COVID-19 as at 3rd May 2020.

    This brings the total number of cases in the region to 19 with one person fully recovered and reintegrated into the community.

    A statement signed by the Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih , indicates that of the 11 additional cases, one is a resident of Wa who returned from Kenya on the 16th of February 2020.

    He traveled back to Wa by public transport and upon arrival self-quarantined for two weeks and has since been living with his family until the 16th of April 2020 when his sample was taken to the laboratory upon self-request.

    The statement further stated that the remaining seven persons were picked from Sissala East Municipality following the mandatory screening of travelers arriving in the district from Kumasi and Accra during the partial lockdown in the country.

    “Five of them have been identified and transferred to the treatment centre in the Municipal Capital whilst efforts are being made to track the remaining two. All cases currently on treatment are mild to moderate, ” his statement revealed.

    Dr. Salih said the investigation is underway to identify, isolate and treat all cases and trace all contacts adding that all the cases had a travel history or are contacts of known cases.

    He urged all residents of the region to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities as efforts are made to contain the spread of the disease.

    “Residents are encouraged to strictly adhere to the physical distancing protocols announced by His Excellency the President; frequently wash hands with soap under running water and or apply hand sanitizer; avoid going to public places unless it is absolutely necessary; and properly wear nose masks when going to any public place.”

     

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Covid-19 and electricity generation: Why I think the comparison is a mockery of common sense

    Have you listened to the comparison between the Covid-19 pandemic and electricity generation in Ghana? Was it a harmonious sound blended of soprano, attenuated by a bass, highly pitched by a tenor or smoothened by an alto singer? It simply never was a harmony. Forever, I think, it remains cacophony that is a mockery of common sense.

    The reasons are not far-fetched as might be the case. Mathematically, fractions can best be compared when there is a common denominator. Do not be confused. Simply put, it is out of common sense to have a chameleon paired with a cheetah in a race. That would not be fair.  To have a good comparison, it could be a cheetah of North America with a cheetah from Africa. A better one will be, comparing chameleon from North Africa to that from South Africa in a race, because they have a common base which is the Africa continent. At best, you can do a cheetah from Tema, and that from Accra and that would be deemed most fair.  Same continent, same region, same district and possibly dwelling in the same environment with same climatic conditions. That is why I am amazed at comparing the Covid-19 crisis to the lack of electricity generation. Kilowatts and Watts (Electricity) cannot be compared with degrees Celsius (Temperature).

    Coronavirus pandemic has not touched base with electricity generation at all. In fact, the two are dichotomized and highly polarized like the sky from Kalahari Desert. Coronavirus pandemic is a global situation but the electricity generation was domestic. Coronavirus and for that matter, Covid-19 had directives, guidance and indeed clear set of protocols dictated by WHO. Electricity generation had no such protocols.  Per the nature of Covid-19, a regular update is necessary as part of the solution and that is not the case of electricity generation. COVID 19, relies on Ghana Health Service and already established hospital facilities to tackle the situation. The generation of electricity does require an immediate building of electricity generation units.  Indeed, whiles there might be a need to build more hospitals, doing that immediately is not a panacea to the problem of Covid-19.  Nevertheless, building electrical power and purchasing electrical power generation units were immediately needed and remained the necessary and sufficient condition to stop “Dumsor”.

    Covid-19 could kill people in a matter of days if not hours, the lack of electricity might do so perhaps in months and years. Covid-19 requires a lockdown. Since 1957, when Ghana attained independence as a nation, there are villages in districts that are yet to have electricity. Such villages have never suffered a lockdown due to a lack of electricity. Covid-19 requires that we wash our hands frequently, the lack of electricity generation has no such requirement. Thus, the free water and the reduction in electricity cost, are simply part of the indirect solutions to Covid-19. Covid-19 requires all public gatherings to stop, but I remember keeping wake in social gathering for departed souls without electricity in the past in my village. Without electricity, we were still going to schools but Covid-19 will simply not allow that. I could go on and on!

    So, where lies the common trait underlying comparison of Covid-19 with electricity generation? This is just a mockery of common sense! Such a comparison is not only inhumane but an insult to the intellectual independence of voters. The comparison demonstrated the extent to which politicians could go to play the advantage even on the verge of all of us dying. In a nutshell, it is a demonstration of how politicians can stop at nothing, just to have their grip firmly. I am simply stunned!

    Emmanuel Mensz Mensah Amevor is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and Financial Expert (MBA).

    Disclaimer : “Opinions expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not in any way reflect those of backend.theindependentghana.com. Our outfit will hereby not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article.”

     

  • Three coronavirus patients recover at Ghana Police Hospital

    A police officer and two Nigerians who were being treated for COVID-19 at the Ghana Police Hospital have been discharged after attaining full recovery.

    In a statement by the Ghana Police service signed by the PRO of the hospital, the three patients who tested positive of the virus, three weeks ago, are said to have been discharged after testing negative two consecutive times after treatment.

    The statement further states that the two Nigerians after having been discharged yesterday May 6, 2020, will subsequently be handed over to their Diplomatic Mission in Ghana.

    Read the full statement below

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Health Ministry investigation reveals hoarding, illegal sale of PPEs

    An investigation conducted by the Health Ministry has revealed that some people have been hoarding government procured Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) in certain parts of the country.

    Addressing the concern of health workers at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, the Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman-Manu described the act as illegal.

    He noted that the actions of the unscrupulous individuals have prevented several health workers from having protective suits as the country combat the deadly coronavirus.

    “Our search reveals that some of us are hoarding the PPEs, we even got some reports that some are selling back to us particularly the face masks,” he said.

    He indicated that as part of effort to curb the illicit act, his outfit will now engage directly with the facility to supply them with the product devoid of the institutionalized channels.

    “If [health] centres call us [Health Ministry] to tell us that they have still not received their PPEs, we do not go through the channel, we move straight to either the Region or district for the PPEs to be distributed.”

    Reacting to the hoarding of PPEs, the General Secretary for Ghana Medical Association (GMA) said individuals found culpable should be dealt with in accordance to the law.

    Dr Justice Yankson said in any human endeavour, there are people who would want to take advantage of the system, however, the state of global emergency is not the best time for such activities.

    “I do not really understand why people will be hoarding PPEs, but if investigations have brought this to light then the Health Ministry through the Ghana Health Service gives a clear cut directive to all managers of healthcare facilities not to hoard the protect.”

    The GMA General Secretary also indicated that the supply of PPEs to health facilities is now better than two months ago.

    Following several complaints by health workers in the country over inadequate supply of PPEs to the various hospitals, government resorted to the local production of protective gears to solve the problem.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Playback: COVID-19 Press Conference by the Minority in Parliament

    The Minority is currently holding a press conference to express their dissatisfaction in the manner with which government is handling the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, making the address said the opposition is “deeply worried” about the increasing number of cases stating that the president should not have taken “the gamble to risk the lives” of Ghnaians when he lifted the lockdown.

    He has asked government to desist from spreading false hope.

    Meanwhile, Ghana, which recorded its first two cases count on March 12, 2020 has had a shoot up of the crisis to 3, 091 as of May 7, 2020.

    Nine more patients have recovered and discharged making the total number of recoveries 303, as recorded on the website of the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

    The GHS however says the death toll still stands at 18.

    Watch live the address below

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

     

  • Coronavirus: Here’s the virtual learning timetable for KG, primary and JHS pupils

    The Ministry of Education, through the Ghana Education Service (GES), has released the timetable for the virtual learning for Kindergarten (KG) to Junior High School (JHS) on GTV.

    The channel will focus on core subjects English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.

    The programme, which is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education through GES and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation is to keep students in learning mode while they remained at home because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Here’s the timetable below:

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Tamale: Seven persons arrested for operating, patronizing drinking spot amidst ban on gatherings

    Three out of seven persons have been granted bail for gathering at a drinking spot in Tamale despite the Coronavirus-induced ban on social gatherings.

    According to the police, the seven persons were arrested at Sarafina Bar near the police headquarters in Tamale in the Northern Region for failing to comply with the restrictions imposed on public gatherings by operating and patronizing the bar.

    The suspects, namely Baba sheriff Aloboba, 32; Adongo Ishmael,19; Mark Derrick Azure, 19; Sunday Okeke, 43; Lambongang Paroka, 20; Lardi Adongo, 41; and Benjamin Ayeebo, 32 were picked up on May 2.

    They were then screened and four out of the seven were charged and were to appear before court on May 4, 2020.

    However, only three appeared before the Tamale Circuit Court. The fourth person, Lardi Adongo, an expectant mother, failed to come till after the close of court.

    The three, after the case hearing, were granted bail with two sureties. Lardi Adongo was however asked to appear before the court the following day.

    The case has been adjourned to May 19, 2020.

    Bar operation during lockdown

    When the President announced the partial lockdown of Accra and Kumasi, he noted that only some essential service providers such as those involved in the production, distribution and marketing of food and beverages, media practitioners, and fuel station operators were exempted from the lockdown.

    This sparked up a bit of confusion as to whether drinking spots and bars fell under the food chain operators category.

    But the government clarified that drinking bars, night clubs, pubs, and other similar service providers must be closed.

    The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Kwasi Agyemang explained that even restaurants must operate only pick-up and delivery services.

    Even though the partial lockdown has now been lifted, some of these bars and pubs are still closed since the ban on public gathering still holds.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Well clamp down on persons who flout COVID-19 prevention protocols Police

    The Accra Regional Police Command says it will continue to arrest and prosecute individuals in the region who refuse to comply with precautionary measures to fight the spread of COVID-19.

    According to the command, an earlier operation conducted by the police has resulted in the arrest of 500 commercial motorbike riders who failed to wear face masks.

    Speaking to the media, Director of Operations at the Accra Regional Police Command, ACP Kwesi Ofori said the exercise will continue in a bid to ensure that the security and safety of the country are not compromised amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

    “Those who feel they are not prepared to sacrifice for the state to assist in ensuring good health and public security we are going to clamp down on them seriously. We will arrest them and put them before court. Okada riders have also tried to abuse this protocol and we have arrested about 500 motorbikes, most of whom have been taken to court and fined GH¢12,000 in default four years imprisonment.”

    Following the lifting of the partial lockdown imposed on some parts of the country, the role of the police have changed to ensuring compliance with other COVID-19 prevention protocols such as wearing of face masks and urge to avoid needless movement.

    Earlier this week, persons without face masks were prevented from entering the Central Business District of Accra.

    The move was to ensure compliance  directives by the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council and Ministry of Health on the wearing of masks in public as a way of stopping the spread of COVID-19.

    According to the Accra Regional Alpha SWAT Commander DSP Sulamana Sulley, security officials are primarily engaging and encouraging those coming into the Central Business District to wear the mask.

    He said those who are adamant and insist on proceeding without the mask are denied access and asked to either get one or returned home.

    Meanwhile, commercial vehicle drivers have been cautioned against allowing persons without masks to board their vehicles.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Government begins 3-day cabinet retreat to assess COVID-19 impact on economy

    The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his cabinet will later today, Thursday, May 7, 2020, begin a 3-day retreat to review data gathered on the effects of COVID-19 on all sectors of the economy.

    The Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah who made this known to the public said the government now has more concrete data on the impact of COVID-19 on the various sectors including education and health.

    “President Akufo-Addo and his cabinet over the next three days will commence a process of examining data so far gathered on the impact of COVID-19 across all sectors in Ghana,” he said at a press conference on Thursday, May 7, 2020.

    Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said all ministers have been directed to present reports about the impact of COVID-19 on their respective sectors and make recommendations on how the sectors can recover.

    He said the information from the retreat will enhance in putting together the 2020 mid-year budget review.

    “The President has instructed all ministers to present reports on their sectors and profer recommendations for recovery at a cabinet retreat starting today [Thursday] and will go on for the next three days…The Government of Ghana will examine the observed impact, the recommendations that are being made, the implications and will enhance preparations for laying same before Parliament during the mid-year review,” he said.

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Wearing face masks about is an embarrassment to science – Pastor Chris

    Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the Senior Pastor of Christ Embassy, has continued to express his displeasure at the different measures put in place by the Federal government since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

    Oyakhilome in an online sermon on Tuesday, spoke against the wearing of facemask.

    He opined that the use of facemasks in a time like this, is an embarrassment to science.

    He also went on to say, “If we go by science, you should not wear masks in public.”

    The clergyman also said that various scientists, virologists and Immunologists in the world have come out to support his initial claim that the enforcement of a lockdown in battling a pandemic isn’t scientific.

    Source: Peace FM

     

  • COP Maame Tiwaa heads police technical team on Coronavirus

    Director-General in Charge of Police Welfare COP Maame Yaa Tiwaah Addo-Danquah has been appointed Chairperson of an 11-member Police COVID-19 Technical Committee to oversee the management of COVID-19 within the Police Service.

    This was revealed during Season two of the Alert show with Adam Bonaa which streamed on Facebook.

    According to her, the terms of reference of the Committee established by the Inspector General of Police Mr James Oppong-Boanuh include the continuous education of personnel on COVID-19 pandemic, Provision of adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to frontline staff and any other appropriate persons, Monitoring of all personnel across the country for traces of infections, Establishment of isolation centre for personnel and dependents.
    Psychological counselling of staff both affected and infected, Fumigation and disinfection of police establishments and any other related matter.

    Other members of the group she revealed include DCOP/Dr Samuel Otu-Nyarko, Epidemiologists (P/H), ACP/Very Rev. Frank D. Twum-Baah, Police Church, C/Supt/Mr Edwin Kofi Dey, Headquarters Estates, Supt/Mrs Sheilla K. Abayie-Buckman, Dir/PRO, Supt/Dr Frank Duodu, Physician, Police Hospital, DSP/Dr Edem Wormenor, Lab Scientist, P/Hospital, ASP/Mr Emmanuel Baba Asibilla, Disease Control (P/H), ASP/Mr Foster Sanctity Nanewotor, Psychologist (P/H), ASP/Ms Mary Mirekua Tandoh, Senior Nurse (P/H) and ASP/Mr Emmanuel Ato Gand, SO/Welfare.

    This comes in the wake of confirmed reports that about 7 police personnel have tested positive of the virus in the Upper East Region.

    According to verified police sources, the first batch of infections involved a policeman who was on escort duties to the Upper East Region while the other was also returning to his duty post in the same region after holidays faced same fate.

    It has been confirmed that about 137 personnel from the Upper East Regional Police Command have so far been asked to self-isolate as their samples have been taken for testing at Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR) awaiting results.

    Meanwhile, the IGP has directed personnel who were deployed during the lockdown in Greater Accra, Kumasi, Kasoa and Tema be tested for the virus.

    Source: Starr FM

  • More young people are contracting coronavirus in Ashanti Region

    The Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang has disclosed that the region has recorded the youngest patient of Coronavirus in the country.

    He said a 10-year old has been confirmed to have contracted the virus in the region.

    According to him, the statistics available indicates that the Ashanti Region has the youngest population in terms of positive cases in the country.

    Giving a breakdown of the cases in the region, Dr Tenkorang said 17 of the 43 districts in the region had so far recorded cases of the disease, with Obuasi assuming the reputation as the epicentre of the COVID-19 in the region, having recorded 47 cases.

    Of the 163 confirmed cases, 56 percent are males, with the remaining 44 percent being females.

    “The youngest case we have had here is 10 years old and the oldest 83 years. Some 37 people have so far recovered and three are currently on admission. The number of contacts that we are actively following as of now is 54,” he indicated.

    He said given the number of districts that had recorded confirmed cases, the GHS had to intensify tracing, testing and isolation to be able to contain the disease.

    Meanwhile, The total number of Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in Ghana has skyrocketed to 3,091.

    This is according to the latest update by the Ghana Health Service (GHS), as of today, May 7, 2020.

    The GHS said 372 new cases have been recorded from various parts of the country, adding to the previous number of 2,719.

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Couple infected with deadly virus at TNMA

    The Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly in the Western Region had recorded two cases of COVID-19.

    Mr Gilbert Kennedy Asmah, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), who made this known to the media at a press conference at Ahwetieso said the patients are couples who reside in the Municipality and had no travel history outside the country.

    According to him, on May 1, the 56-year-old man reported to a health facility within the Municipality and showing signs and symptoms that were similar to that of the COVID-19.

    He indicated that the Rapid Response Team immediately isolated him and took his sample together with his wife who had also shown similar signs for examination and analysis at the Noguchi Memorial Research Institute, Accra.

    He said the test result showed the couple had contracted the deadly virus and both have since been isolated to enable them to have further medical attention.

    The Municipal Rapid Response Team was working closely with other stakeholders to ensure stringent measures were put in place to curtail the spread of the virus in Tarkwa and its environs, Mr Asmah announced.

    He admonished residents within the Municipality to stick to the necessary precautionary procedures spelt out by the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the directives from the President.

    “Our Enforcement Team will make sure all traders comply with the shift system which has been instituted at the various markets centers in the municipality” he added.

    Mr Asmah also encouraged the media and stakeholders to collaborate with the Publicity and Risk Communication Team to intensify the public education campaign on the disease, adding that, COVID-19 Team was working tirelessly to come out with enhanced alternatives that could help contain the present situation.

    “He further cautioned individuals and companies to desist from stigmatisation, unnecessary spread and the release of information relating to COVID-19”.

    The MCE again entreated the citizens of Tarkwa-Nsuaem to allay fears and panic but rather join efforts to combat the novel Coronavirus.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus cases in Sissala East dangerous to communities – Dr Abdulai

    Dr. Zakaria Abdulai, the Medical Superintendent for the Sissala East Municipal Hospital, has urged the residents to cooperate with health officials in fighting the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in the Municipality.

    He said that was necessary because the five asymptomatic COVID-19 victims in the Municipality posed a serious risk to vulnerable groups in the communities.

    Dr. Abdulai said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Tumu concerning the seven Covid-19 cases recorded in the Municipality.

    The Sissala East Municipality in the Upper West Region had recorded seven cases of the COVID-19 with five of the cases being asymptomatic.

    “I have seen them, and none of them have shown signs and symptoms and this makes them asymptomatic, which suggests they are in the community living normal lives.

    “This can be dangerous to vulnerable groups like people who have compromised lungs, the aged, asthmatic, TB patients and innocent persons can be infected without knowing,” Dr. Abdulai explained.

    The Medical Superintendent added that the isolation facility at Tumu could not withstand an outbreak as it did not have a single ventilator that could support someone with respiratory distress.

    He appealed to benevolent individuals and organisations to support the health facility with Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and thermometer guns among others to help protect the health staff against the deadly virus. Mr Alex Bapula the Sissala East Municipal Director of Health Services called for psychological support for the COVID-19 infected persons.

    He praised the frontline health workers for their quick response and appealed to the authorities to make available all the resources needed for the front line staff to be courageous to carry out their work effectively.

    Mr Bapula also appealed to the community members to report all strangers as well as natives who were returning to the communities from other parts of the country to the health authorities for the necessary action to be taken.

    Source: GNA

  • Traditional Authorities empowered to help sensitize communities on COVID-19

    The Center for Indigenous Knowledge and Organizational Development (CIKOD) – North has empowered Traditional Authorities in the Nandom Municipality with appropriate information on the COVID-19 pandemic for them to help sensitize members of their communities.

    This, according to Mr Ben Guri, Executive Director of CIKOD, was necessary because chiefs were well revered in their communities, and as a result when they speak the people listen and comply.

    Speaking during the CIKOD Community COVID-19 support programme in Nandom, Mr Guri noted that empowering the Chiefs to lead the community sensitization was the way to go to win the war against the pandemic.

    The Executive Director of CIKOD noted that Ghana and for that matter Africa, lacked a robust health system to be able to contain the pandemic if it spreads as it did in other developed worlds, adding the only solution was a vigorous sensitization of the populace on the best practices against the disease so that they would be aware and therefore practice the necessary protocols to protect themselves against the disease.

    Dr Gabriel Gbiel Benorkuu, National Chairman, Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health appealed to the chiefs to preach the benefits of consistently wearing the face mask to the people to ensure compliance.

    He stressed that the wearing of the face mask and the social distancing protocol were the two most important strategies used by the countries that have so far been able to contain or slow down the spread of the disease.

    He said he visited a small market in a village within the Nandom Municipality and out of the about 320 people he counted, only one person was wearing a face mask, which he described as a worrying situation and needed to be addressed urgently.

    Dr Aduwia David Adobasom, Acting Medical Superintendent of the St. Theresa’s Hospital in Nandom said one could contract the disease through the mouth, nostrils, and the eyes when one happened to touch the face with contaminated hands.

    He called on the people to also take the washing of hands with soap under running water and the use of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) recommended alcohol-based sanitizers serious to avoid contracting the disease.

    “Stay home if you don’t have any serious business outside; this is because when you stay at home, you save yourself from either contracting or spreading the disease”, he admonished.

    Mr Lawrence Ashiara, the Nandom Municipal Immigration Commander appealed to the chiefs to educate their people on the danger involved concerning the spread of the disease when they shield foreigners coming into the country illegally in their homes.

    He also appealed to the people to respect the social distancing protocol and stop gathering at drinking spots, out-doorings, and market centers among others, adding that it was a risk to do that.

    Madam Genevieve Yiripare, the Nandom Municipal Director of Health Services noted that the Municipality recorded its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on the 18th of April, 2020, but had to release the person to the regional level due to lack of a place to keep the person.

    She added that presently, the Municipality also has nine suspected cases out of which samples had been taken for testing and the results were yet to be released.

    The Municipal Health Director appealed to relatives of persons under quarantine to stop harassing them with calls for their release and rather support them because it was for their benefit.

    The project is jointly being implemented by CIKOD and Groundswell International with funding from the 11th Hour Project.
    with appropriate information on the COVID-19 pandemic for them to help sensitize members of their communities.

    This, according to Mr Ben Guri, Executive Director of CIKOD, was necessary because chiefs were well revered in their communities, and as a result when they speak the people listen and comply.

    Speaking during the CIKOD Community COVID-19 support programme in Nandom, Mr Guri noted that empowering the Chiefs to lead the community sensitization was the way to go to win the war against the pandemic.

    The Executive Director of CIKOD noted that Ghana and for that matter Africa, lacked a robust health system to be able to contain the pandemic if it spreads as it did in other developed worlds, adding the only solution was a vigorous sensitization of the populace on the best practices against the disease so that they would be aware and therefore practice the necessary protocols to protect themselves against the disease.

    Dr Gabriel Gbiel Benorkuu, National Chairman, Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health appealed to the chiefs to preach the benefits of consistently wearing the face mask to the people to ensure compliance.

    He stressed that the wearing of the face mask and the social distancing protocol were the two most important strategies used by the countries that have so far been able to contain or slow down the spread of the disease.

    He said he visited a small market in a village within the Nandom Municipality and out of the about 320 people he counted, only one person was wearing a face mask, which he described as a worrying situation and needed to be addressed urgently.

    Dr Aduwia David Adobasom, Acting Medical Superintendent of the St. Theresa’s Hospital in Nandom said one could contract the disease through the mouth, nostrils, and the eyes when one happened to touch the face with contaminated hands.

    He called on the people to also take the washing of hands with soap under running water and the use of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) recommended alcohol-based sanitizers serious to avoid contracting the disease.

    “Stay home if you don’t have any serious business outside; this is because when you stay at home, you save yourself from either contracting or spreading the disease”, he admonished.

    Mr Lawrence Ashiara, the Nandom Municipal Immigration Commander appealed to the chiefs to educate their people on the danger involved concerning the spread of the disease when they shield foreigners coming into the country illegally in their homes.

    He also appealed to the people to respect the social distancing protocol and stop gathering at drinking spots, out-doorings, and market centers among others, adding that it was a risk to do that.

    Madam Genevieve Yiripare, the Nandom Municipal Director of Health Services noted that the Municipality recorded its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on the 18th of April, 2020, but had to release the person to the regional level due to lack of a place to keep the person.

    She added that presently, the Municipality also has nine suspected cases out of which samples had been taken for testing and the results were yet to be released.

    The Municipal Health Director appealed to relatives of persons under quarantine to stop harassing them with calls for their release and rather support them because it was for their benefit.

    The project is jointly being implemented by CIKOD and Groundswell International with funding from the 11th Hour Project.

    Source: GNA