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Tag: coronavirus in Ghana

  • Protect each other from contracting COVID-19 – Catholic Bishop advises Ghanaians

    The Most Reverend Mathew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Catholic Bishop of Sunyani Diocese on Thursday advised Ghanaians to be responsible and protect each other from contracting the COVID-19.

    He said Ghanaians could do this when they embrace and use nose masks and adhere to other health and safety protocols such as social distancing, avoid of handshake, washing of hands with soap under running water and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers at all times.

    Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) during a visit by the Deputy Bono Regional Minister, Mr. Stevens Siaka to the Catholic Secretariat at Abesim, near Sunyani, Most Rev. Gyamfi said every Ghanaian had the responsibility to protect each other.

    Bishop Gyamfi said though the government had lifted the partial lockdown in parts of Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions, COVID-19 was still a pandemic the nation was fighting to contain.

    Most Rev. Gyamfi said it would be easy for the government to win the fight if Ghanaians strictly adhered to the directives given and heed to the advice of health officials.

    He said the Diocese had directed all Catholic Priests to intensify public education on radio stations for members of the Church and Ghanaians in general on the need to wear nose masks and adhere to safety measures.

    Mr. Siaka visited the Pax Garments, a local manufacturing company of the Diocese at the Secretariat and commended the Catholic Church for its support towards the development of the nation.

    As partners in development, the Deputy Regional Minister who is the Member of Parliament for Jaman North said the government expected more from churches in addressing youth unemployment aside their spiritual responsibilities.

    Mr. Siaka was impressed with the work of the Company, which had permanently engaged 56 young men and women and could produce 1,000 nose masks on daily basis.

    Source: GNA

  • Greater Accra records highest COVID-19 cases in Ghana

    The Greater Accra Region has so far recorded 901 confirmed COVID-19 (Coronavirus) cases out of the 1,154 cases nationwide.

    According to the Ghana Health Service, 318 positive cases of the lot were recorded under routine surveillance while 583 cases were recorded through enhanced contact tracing.

    Below is the district-by-district distribution of the cases in the Greater Accra Region:

     

    Source: graphic.com.gh 

  • COVID-19 a golden opportunity for food production – Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto

    The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto says the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Ghana provides a golden opportunity for the country to optimize its potential for food production.

    He said the conditions created by the Coronavirus will allow Ghana to meet its domestic needs, grow agriculture export and create jobs for the youths.

    He made this known at a press briefing in Accra on Thursday, April 23, 2020.

    He said: “In the wake of export banned in countries from where we import foods items like rice and poultry, it provides comparing situation for us to put strategic measures in place to ramp up production for all our key commodities “

    He said COVID 19 also gives the country the opportunity to intensify agro-processing , thus reducing post-harvest loss and ensuring all year run food availability whilst creating the needed jobs.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Kenya quarantine escapees arrested while drinking at bar

    Two people who fled a quarantine centre in Kenya have been arrested at a bar where they were found drinking despite social distancing regulations.

    They were among dozens of people filmed jumping over a wall of the facility in the capital, Nairobi, drawing public condemnation.

    While under arrest they said they had planned the escape because they were not getting tested for the virus.

    All bars in Kenya have been ordered to close, to halt the spread of Covid-19.

    The pair, who are now awaiting charges, had complained that they couldn’t afford to pay for their confinement out of their own pockets.

    This costs between $20 (£16) and $100 a night – depending on the centre.

    More than 400 people are under forced quarantine in the country, which lasts for an initial period of 14 days – though this has been extended twice at some centres.

    Some are being held because they flouted curfew orders while others have been detained on arrival from abroad.

    Many fear they are at greater risk from coronavirus inside, saying poor hygiene is widespread and overcrowding makes social distancing impossible.

    As many as 50 people out of 200 escaped from Kenya Medical Training College’s quarantine facility according to local reports, but officials have not confirmed the numbers.

    Footage of detainees scaling the wall was shared by Kenya’s biggest newspaper:

    Local police boss Muthuri Mwongera told the BBC that he was waiting for the director of public prosecution’s office to charge the two suspects who had been arrested at a bar in the Roysambu area, north of the city.

    “A majority of those who escaped had been arrested around this area before being taken to quarantine and so we know we will arrest more with time,” Mr Mwongera said.

    Residents living near the bar apparently tipped off the police that it was still open.

    Kenya’s Covid-19 restrictions:

    • Mandatory 14-day quarantine for those who may have had contact with a coronavirus patient
    • Night-time curfew between 19:00 and 05:00 local time
    • No travel to or from the capital Nairobi and parts of the city’s neighbouring counties. Such measures also apply to some coastal counties
    • Schools, pubs, entertainment venues, churches and mosques shut
    • Everyone required to wear face masks in public and face arrest for not doing so.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Driver who stabbed passenger to death over social distancing charged with murder

    A commercial vehicle driver Eric Denning, who stabbed one Kwesi Amele to death over social distancing in the Eastern Region has been charged with murder.

    The driver was picked up immediately by the police but the mate is on the run in an incident that occurred on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.

    He was arraigned before the Koforidua District Magistrate Court “B” on April 22, 2020.

    He was charged with murder but pleaded not guilty to the offence and has been remanded.

    Eric Denning has been provisionally charged with murder and expected to reappear before Court in two weeks.

    Family of the deceased want police to speed up investigations and they want justice to prevail.

    Reports say the driver and mate picked a quarrel with the deceased and his brother who joined the vehicle on Suhum to Koforidua road after complaining that the driver has overloaded the Vehicle in breach with social distancing.

    This created a heated argument in the Vehicle between passengers on the other side and the accused driver and mate.

    Upon reaching Akwadum roundabout, the deceased and his brother angrily alighted, slammed the door of the vehicle while casting insinuations.

    This angered the driver and mate to physically attack the two brothers. In the process, the mate allegedly pulled a knife for the driver who stabbed the deceased multiple times to death.

    His brother also suffered multiple knife injuries but is currently in critical condition at the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua.

    Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, President Akufo Addo, and various District and Municipal Assemblies have directed that drivers reduce the number of passengers they transport at a time to help observe social distancing protocols to minimize the risk of infection in public transport.

     

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Bolgatanga pregnant coronavirus patient tests negative

    The first COVID-19 patient in the Upper East region, a 33-year-old pregnant woman has tested negative for the virus after weeks of treatment at the treatment center in Bolgatanga.

    Upper East Regional Minister Tangoba Abayage who confirmed this to MyNewsGh.com said though her second test turned out negative after weeks of management, the mandatory last test is expected to be conducted to declare her fully recovered.

    After this, she is expected to be discharged to reunite with her family.

    The patient, a resident of Bolgatanga tested positive for the novel Corona Virus, making the first case to be recorded in the region.

    Having visited the maternity unit of the Bolgatanga regional hospital, management of the hospital subsequently closed down the unit for decontamination.

    The Upper East Region has so far recorded eight cases of the novel coronavirus with one death.

    Two Health Workers in the region are among the 8 persons who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus according to the Regional Health Directorate.

    The two MyNewsGh.com gathered, are staff of the Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga who came into close contact with the first case recorded at the facility on April 3 involving 30 weeks pregnant 33-year-old resident of Bolgatanga

    A situational report by the Upper East Regional Health Directorate on COVID-19 stated that “Two (2) of the new cases are health care workers.”

    The Upper East region as of April 16, 2020 had recorded additional four (4) new cases bringing the total number to eight (8) with one death.

    The deceased, a 52-year-old woman from Mazema, a Community in the Bawku Municipality died a day after her samples were taken for testing which turned out positive.

    She visited the Presbyterian Hospital in Bawku on the 7th April with fever, difficulty in breathing, coughing, running nose, diarrhoea and muscular joint pains.

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • If you pay attention, you will see our works NCCE boss tells Ghanaians

    Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Josephine Nkrumah, has debunked rumors suggesting that her outfit is not effectively discharging its duties as expected.

    She said if only Ghanaians can open their eyes, they will realize that the NCCE is effectively performing its mandate to educate Ghanaians, especially during this time of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    She added, a close monitoring on their website and social media handles will prove that they have been regularly posting updates to educate Ghanaians about the spread of coronavirus.

    “If people make the time, put their ears on the ground they will hear and they will see us. If you go to our website, you will see a lot of activities we have undertaken. If you go on GNA website you will see a lot of reporting on the activities we have done. Our target audience is mixed. There are those you can reach on social media and we are also doing that,” She stated.

    The NCCE boss also indicated that for the group of Ghanaians that do not have access to social media, they have adopted various strategies like communication through the use of public announcements.

    “There are a lot more people in Ghana who may not have access to social media but they are significant components of our target audience. We are using a variety of strategies one of the strategies is mass communication through the use of our public announcements. To a large extent we have relied on the goodwill of institutions that have supported vehicles so that we can mount on them and reach out to the grassroots,” she explained.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Vehicles that convey dead bodies must be disinfected – Environmental Health

    Mrs. Sybil Boison, Volta Regional Environmental Health Officer, has underlined the need to properly disinfect vehicles used for conveying dead bodies.

    She said this was necessary because moving such bodies carried a high risk of spreading contagious diseases.

    The hospitals and mortuary operators must therefore consider working with drivers to take preventive measures, particularly, with respect to the non-designated vehicles.

    Mrs. Boison made the call when she toured morgues in the Ho Municipality, to assess the implementation of precautionary measures to contain and halt the spread of the novel coronavirus – to seek the support and cooperation of the facility managers.

    Staff of the facilities were asked to help maintain highest standards of practice, towards shielding visitors from potential risks of exposure.

     

    She examined personal protection equipment, wash stations, and waste disposal points, and told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that “vivid inspections” would be undertaken to ensure strict compliance.

    Mr. Anthony Amadotor, National Vice Chairman of the Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana, who heads the Ho Teaching Hospital morgue, cautioned against using passenger vehicles to carry dead bodies.

    He pledged stronger collaboration to protect public health.

    He said the body count in the facility had fallen since the outbreak of the virus, and added that an old cabinet was being restored for storage of corpses of those who died of COVID-19.

    Other mortuaries in the Municipality are seeing a decline in bodies sent for hygienic storage until burial.

    Meanwhile, the main wing of the Ho Municipal Hospital morgue has been closed down for rehabilitation.

     

    Source: GNA

  • COVID-19: Ghana takes delivery of second donation from Jack Ma and Alibaba Foundation

    Ghana has received the second tranche of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 test kits from Asian businessman, Jack Ma, and his Alibaba foundation.

    The equipments which touched base at the Kotoka International Airport, earlier today, will be used for the prevention, control, and treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

    The donation includes ventilators, swabs and viral transport mediums, extraction kits, face shields, medical disposable protective clothing, medical gloves, and thermometer guns.

    Representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Chinese Embassy in Ghana, and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) were present at the handing over.

    Earlier in March, the Alibaba co-founder donated a total of 1.1 million testing kits, six million masks, and sixty thousand protective suits and face shields to all 54 African countries.

    Source: ABCNewsgh.com

  • Operation COVID Safety: 8,000 police officers to self quarantine in Accra, Kumasi

    Following the suspension of Operation COVID Safety, a joint military and police operation to enforce the lockdown directives, about 8,000  police officers have been directed to self-quarantine.

    The move according to the police hierarchy is part of measures to check the spread of Coronavirus.

    The Director of Public Affairs, Ghana Police Service, Supt. Sheila Kessie Abayie-Buckman in a Citi News interview said the directive is to ensure the safety of its personnel.

    “The prime object of the Police is for the Police officers to be well before we can carry out our duties. So for Accra, Kumasi, Tema, and Kumasi, we are looking at not less than 8,000 officers to self-quarantine,” she said.

    “The Police Hospital has begun taking their samples but the samples are not tested by them but they have a strategy to take their samples. The Police Hospital has its headquarters in Accra but it still has a lot of regional clinics all across the country,” she added.

    Source: ABCNewsgh.com

  • Measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in courts still hold Chief Justice

    The Chief Justice, Justice Anim Yeboah, has reiterated that the measures adopted to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 in the courts across the country are still holding despite the lifting of the partial lockdown in selected parts of the country.

    He said the measures were aimed at decongesting the courts in order to observe the advised social distancing protocols.

    A release issued to the Ghana News Agency said the arrangements outlined in previous statements issued on March 16 and 20, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the courts across the country would continue.

    It said the courts would practice strict case management techniques such that only parties and witnesses in cases listed to be heard on particular dates and fixed times would be allowed into the court room to avoid large gatherings.

    It asked judges and magistrates to adjourn cases to specific times on given dates, to limit the number of people that would be allowed into the court room, hear cases which were extreme urgency, and as far as possible exercised great restraint in remanding accused persons, in order to avoid overcrowding in the prisons and police cells.

    The release said cause lists should also be reduced drastically for few cases to be listed for hearing.

    It said judges and magistrates should also dispense with the appearance of convicted and remand prisoners where possible; and in criminal appeals, the courts where possible, should dispense with the appearance of appellants who are in prison custody.

     

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • COVID-19 test, vaccination will be required for Schengen visa application EU

    Persons hoping to travel to Schengen states after travel restrictions are lifted would have to take a test for Coronavirus.

    According to EU officials, persons applying for Schengen Visa will have to submit a Coronavirus test that proves they are negative of the virus.

    The test upon the request for the visa would have to be taken within the last two weeks from the date of application.

    Travellers may also be required to take new tests to ensure that they have not been infected by the virus.

    In an exchange of emails with SchengenVisaInfo.com, an EU official confirmed that the move is to help prevent a future outbreak of the virus that has affected more than two million people worldwide.

    “When the Schengen Borders open up in September, if they do, Schengen Visa applicants will need to submit a Coronavirus test that has resulted negative, taken within the last two weeks prior to the visa application. The traveller may be required to take a new test before travelling to the Schengen area, as to make sure that he/she has not been infected in the meantime,” the source said.

    The official also noted that once the COVID-19 vaccine is confirmed and available for all, visa applicants may also be required to be vaccinated in the future when the virus remains active.

    The virus has so far infected a total of 2,628,929 people, killed another 183,441 with another 713,294 people surviving the virus worldwide.

    Source: ABCNewsgh.com

  • SHS WASSCE candidates likely to do 1-year national service Education Minister

    Education Minister, Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, has hinted that final year senior high school students might do a one-year national service programme if the COVID-19 persists and schools remain closed.

    Explaining the need for the programme, Opoku-Prempeh said back in the day, anytime there was a bit of disruption in the academic calendar, the government introduced national service to cater for the disruption and also to keep the students busy.

    Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana and monitored by theghanareport.com, the minister said the government is looking forward to that should schools remain closed.

    Speaking to Paul Adom-Otchere, he said his ministry was relying on the various Electronic Learning platforms (E-Learning) to keep schools running.

    He reiterated the suspension of the West African Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) across English speaking West Africa due to the threat of COVID-19.

    The West African Secondary School Certificate Examinations is an annual examination written by final year students in senior high schools.

  • Companies ready to deliver PPE mid-May – Managers

    The local companies contracted to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) to help fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) spread have given an assurance that they are on course to deliver the equipment by the mid-May deadline.

    The managers of those garment companies said they had adequate and regular supply of materials from the Akosombo Textiles Limited (ATL) and the Ghana Textile Print (GTP) to produce the items.

    In the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, the government selected four garment companies, including Dignity DTRT, Sleek Garments, Cadling Fashions Limited and Alfie Designs Limited to produce 3.6 million pieces of PPE to fight the pandemic.

    Among other things, the companies are required to produce nose masks, medical scrubs, hospital gowns and headgear using fabrics from ATL, Volta Star Textiles and GTP.

    This is to ensure that Ghana has enough PPE to fall on when needed by the frontline health workers as they go about their duties.

    Work progressing

    When the Daily Graphic visited the premises of some of the companies yesterday to ascertain the progress of work on the project, it observed that work was going on in earnest.

    The managers of the companies had beefed up their core workers with extra hands as a measure to meet their daily production targets.

     

    Some of the departments of the companies that had been inactive had been revitalised and were actively contributing to the production process.

    In keeping to the social distancing protocols, the managers of the companies rolled out a shift system for the workers.

    Sleek Garments

    For instance, when the Daily Graphic team got to the premises of Sleek Garments at about 12:30 p.m., the first batch of about 250 workers were busy producing nose masks and other PPE.

    The manager of the facility, Ms Nora Bannerman, who took the team to the production centre, said the company had the needed machinery, human resource and materials needed to produce to meet the order.

    She explained that the company had sub-contracted other garment entities so it could meet the deadline.

    “For each of the five companies that were handed the PPE contract, we have sub-contracted about 10 other entities to facilitate the production.

    “For Sleek Garments, we started producing 2,000 PPE daily, but now we have reached 20,000 a day because we brought on more workers,” she said.

    Safety

    Ms Bannerman said the materials were produced in compliance with Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) requirements, thus they met the safety requirement for the production of the PPE.

    “After going through approval from GSA and FDA, we need to send whatever we produce here to the Korle But Teaching Hospital for sterilisation before it can be used,” she added.

    Ms Bannerman said she was optimistic that the garment companies would deliver the 3.6 million pieces of PPE, given that the needed resources were available.

    She noted that the role the local garment companies were playing in the production of PPE was a wake-up call for more support to be extended to them even after the pandemic.

    Cadling Fashions

    At Cadling Fashions Limited, the situation was not any different as the workers were seen busily putting the pieces together to produce the hospital scrubs, gowns, headgear and nose masks.

    The Daily Graphic team observed that the production chain progressed with fluidity as some of the 300 workers cut the material for the various items to be sewn, while others stitched it and another team also went round to check on the finishing to ensure that there were no mistakes.

    Conducting the team round the production centre, Mrs Linda Yaa Ampah, said the production of the PPE project had presented a huge opportunity for the local garment industry to grow.

    “The local companies that were given the contract to produce the PPE are now playing a leading role for other garment companies and this is a great opportunity for the country to grow the industry,” she said.

    Dignity DTRT

    Although the Daily Graphic team went to Dignity DTRT on two different days, the team was not allowed to enter the main premises of the company to see how production was progressing.

    Background

    In his fifth address to the nation to give an update on the COVID-19 interventions on Sunday, April 5, President Akufo-Addo announced that some local companies had been contracted to begin the local production of PPE.

    The President said that had become necessary to forestall any shortage in providing PPE which were essential in protecting the lives of frontline health workers who were risking their lives every day to battle the virus.

    He also said the decision to have the PPE produced locally was also part of the plan to ensure that the nation became self-reliant.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • PLAYBACK: Covid-19 update on food security

    Government will Thursday morning update the nations on what it is doing with regards to food security amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    Watch the livestream below:

     

  • Coronavirus should be a means to get closer to Allah – Imam Abubakar

    The Imam of Asuma Banda Airport Mosque Complex has admonished Muslims across the globe to see the COVID -19 pandemic period as a means of getting closer to Allah.

    Imam Abubakar Alhassan said aside from getting closer to God, individuals with means must support the vulnerable during this hard time.

    He said “we should also use this opportunity to invigorate our spirituality and closeness to Allah. We found ourselves in an interesting time. People are suffering all over the world. Globally people are suffering. Locally, people are suffering. Look around and find something for your family members, friends and extend your helping hands to them. Because when you do good, Allah will also do you good and forgive you your sins.”

    Imam Abubakar outlined prerequisites of fasting in Ramadan as “seeking medical check-up, purify one’s heart, reconcile and forgiveness, and seeking knowledge about the fasting. ”

    Fasting in the state of novel coronavirus pandemic under lockdown situation, Imam Abubakar Alhassan urged Muslims to see particular season to be a unique moment for fasting

    “it’s possible this particular Ramadan will be unique in the sense that this congregational prayer we are going to miss them. But we advise each and every one of us to take advantage of this particular lockdown and tell yourself yes, another opportunity has come to perform or observe Ramadan in a unique manner; in your room. You will not go out to have the opportunity of seeing evil things. ”

    The Imam used Quranic verses and Hadith to justify his pronouncements further advised that family members should observe tarawih and tahajud prayers at home, and further continue to abide by all protocols outlined by the government as they are endorsed by Islam.

     

    Source: Mohammed Rabiu Adam, contributor

  • Well be fair in distributing coronavirus funds Sophia Akuffo

    Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has assured the nation that the COVID-19 public trust fund will be transparent and accountable in the disbursement and use of the donations it has received from private individuals and corporate organisations.

    So far, the trust says it has accrued a total of about GHS34 million and is expecting much more in the coming days.

    The 13-member board inaugurated by President Akufo-Addo to solicit support and funding from both the private and public sectors, on Wednesday, 22 April 2020, donated Personal Protective Equipment and an ambulance, among others, to the Ga East Municipal Hospital, the largest COVID-19 isolation centre in the country.

    Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the event, the ex-CJ, who is the Chairperson of the board of trustees of the COVID-19 Public Trust Fund, outlined a broad plan on which the trust fund intends to utilise the funds it has received to the benefit of all Ghanaians.

    She said: “I want to assure the public of our commitment to the job that we have been sent to do and we’ll make sure that all the distributions will be made in accordance with the statutes.”

    She noted that once institutions are satisfied, markets across the country will be provided with more Veronica buckets, sanitisers and so on.

    “We want to make sure the resources reach the regions as widely as possible,” she added.

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: ECOWAS leaders hold extraordinary session today

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will today, Thursday, 23 April 2020 hold an extraordinary session to deliberate on the impact of the outbreak of COVID-19 on its member states and the current state of the virus in the West African region.

    The meeting is scheduled to be held via video conference. The meeting follows an extraordinary summit on the deadly virus by Ministers in charge of Finance and governors of the various Central Banks of member states held on Tuesday, 21 April 2020.

    Fifteen member states have so far recorded 5,774 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 1,616 recoveries, 147 deaths with 4,011 active cases.

    Nigeria recorded the first case in the sub-region on Thursday, 27 February 2020 while Sierra Leone was the last country in West Africa to report a case.

    Financially, ECOWAS with assistance from international partners has supported member states with funds to acquire equipment and medical supplies to aid in the fight against COVID-19.

    It also distributed Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) to member states while the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) has said, as part of efforts to supplement what the various West African countries are doing by themselves to fight COVID-19, it is sourcing ventilators to support critically ill patients for distribution across the sub-region.

    WAHO, in a statement released on Wednesday, 1 April 2020, said it has “distributed over 30,000” diagnostic COVID-19 test kits to the 15 ECOWAS member states and “these were the first testing kits received by most of our countries, and we are also currently distributing 50,000 specimen transportation kits, 10,000 personal protective equipment (PPE), and some medications to member states.”

    Meanwhile, “many states have received their allocation of diagnostic kits, but all the other support is expected to be delivered to the countries by DHL between 30 March and 7 April. We have placed orders for more diagnostic test kits and PPEs which we expect to arrive within the next 2 weeks.”

    WAHO also indicated that in addition to the above, it is “sourcing for ventilators which are equipped for supporting the breathing of severely ill patients in hospitals to distribute to countries”, as part of efforts to supplement what individual countries are doing by themselves.”

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Dunkwa-On-Offin small scale miners support fight

    The Dunkwa-On-Offin District Small Scale Miners Association has donated quantities of protective items to the government hospital in the town to support the fight against COVID-19.

    The items which included; face masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, Veronica buckets, soaps and others, are to support the health workers and other frontline staff in the fight against the virus in Dunkwa and its surrounding communities.

    Mr Benjamin Anna, Vice Chairman of the Association, who made the presentation, said it was the contribution of members towards the prevention of the spread of the virus in the area.

    He said the government was doing its best and there was the need for all to support the government to halt the spread of the virus in the country.
    Mr Anna appealed to Ghanaians to obey all the preventive protocols and restrictive measures outlined by the government to help stop further spread of the virus in the country.

    Dr. Abraham Matey, Medical Superintendent of the Dunkwa Government Hospital who received the items thanked members of the association and said they had come at an opportune time to support health workers in the discharge of their duties.

    He said staying indoors was important to avoid contracting the virus and called on the people to abide by the preventive measures to stay safe.
    Madam Cecilia Asiamah, Women’s Organiser of the Association appealed to market women to adhere to the social distancing protocol to prevent themselves from catching and spreading the virus.

    She also urged the hospital workers to use the PPE effectively for their own safety and that of their families.

    Source: GNA

  • COVID-19: 8,000 frontline police officers ordered to self-quarantine

    Some 8,000 frontline police officers in the fight against COVID-19 have been directed to self-quarantine.

    As part of efforts to curb the spread of the Coronavirus in Ghana, the government placed a ban on public gatherings and partially locked down the Greater Accra and Kumasi Metropolitan areas.

    These measures were enforced by the Ghana Police Service and Ghana Armed Forces.

    The Director of Public Affairs, Ghana Police Service, Supt. Sheila Kessie Abayie-Buckman in a Citi News interview disclosed that about 8,000 personnel of the service have been asked to self-quarantine.

    “The prime object of the Police is for the Police officers to be well before we can carry out our duties. So for Accra, Kumasi, Tema, and Kumasi, we are looking at not less than 8,000 officers to self-quarantine.”

    She further disclosed that the Police Hospital has begun taking their samples for testing by the institutions capable of running the test.

    “The Police Hospital has begun taking their samples but the samples are not tested by them but they have a strategy to take their samples. The Police Hospital has its headquarters in Accra but it still has a lot of regional clinics all across the country,” she added.

    Total arrests during lockdown

    She further disclosed that a total of 810 people were arrested by the Ghana Police Service during the partial lockdown of some parts of the country.

    “The number of cases in the court stood at 127 and the number of persons involved in these cases was 810 so out of these, 458 were granted bail by the various courts and the people who were convicted stood at 54. I am sure you heard about the conviction of people who were throwing a party yesterday. So these are part of those arrested,” she said.

    Lifting of partial lockdown

    President Nana Akufo-Addo lifted the lockdown at 1 am on Monday, April 21, 2020.

    Ghana currently has 1,154 confirmed cases with 120 recoveries and nine deaths

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • The CSM epidemic equally demands urgent attention Togbe Afede

    Togbe Afede XIV, the President of the National House of Chiefs, has donated a cash amount of GHC 50,000 to the Upper West Regional Hospital to support the fight against Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM).

    The donation is to serve as seed money for the establishment of a fund to support local research towards the development of a vaccine for the treatment of CMS and the procurement of emergency medical supplies to support the delivery of quality and timely services to patients receiving treatment for suspected CSM-related cases.

    “GHC 30,000 serves as seed money to establish a fund to support local research towards the development of a vaccine for the treatment of CMS, while, GHC 20,000 goes into the procurement of emergency medical supplies to support the treatment for suspected CSM-related cases”.

    In a speech read on his behalf by Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton IV, President of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, who presented the cheque from Togbe Afede, said recent television footages and news coverage of the lethal effects of CSM, which has been wreaking havoc on our Upper West Region compatriots, have sent shivers down my spine and that the donation was his widow’s mite to support their bid to mitigate the effects of the CSM menace.

    He said it has been reported that, as of April 15, 2020, a total of 409 cases CSM has been recorded from the 5 northern regions, with Upper West alone accounting for 258, adding that, “so far, CSM, which has a high fatality rate, has claimed 40 lives, this is truly devastating.”

    Togbe Afede, who is also the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State said: “While we, as a nation, are busily battling COVID-19 pandemic which has taken 9 lives so far, with all the energy and resources we can muster, the CSM epidemic should also be given the needed urgent attention, and treated with all the seriousness it deserves.”

    He implored the Ghana Health Service to, as soon as possible, declare the outbreak of CSM a national health emergency, adding that, there should be a concerted national action plan to support the people of the northern regions to bringing this deadly disease under control.

    “We must mobilize national support against CSM now. Government and our development partners, as well as the corporate community should support research towards the development of a vaccine for the treatment of CMS.”
    The NHC President urged victims and people with suspected cases of CMS to report early at the hospital for timely treatment.

    He prayed that more help arrives sooner than later to support the hospital in these difficult times.

    Dr Afreh Osei Kuffuor, the Regional Director of Health Services, who received the cash donation on behalf of the Regional Minister, thanked the NHC President for his support in the fight against CSM.

    He said several calls have been sent out for benefactors and philanthropists to come to the aid of the region to combat the challenge, “I am happy Togbe Afede has come to the rescue of the Regional Hospital and I am assuring him that the money would be used for its intended purpose.”

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Driver allegedly stabs passenger to death over social distancing

    A commercial vehicle driver has been remanded by the Koforidua District Magistrate Court “B”,  for stabbing a passenger to death over a disagreement on social distancing breaches.

    The driver has been provisionally charged with murder and expected to reappear before Court in two weeks.

    Information gathered indicates that the driver and mate picked a quarrel with the deceased and his brother who joined the vehicle on Suhum to Koforidua road after complaining that the driver has overloaded the Vehicle in breach with social distancing.

    This created a heated argument in the vehicle between passengers on the other side and the accused driver and mate.

    Upon reaching Akwadum roundabout, the deceased and his brother angrily alighted, slammed the door of the vehicle while casting insinuations.

    This angered the driver and mate to physically attack the two brothers. In the process, the mate allegedly pulled a knife for the driver who stabbed the deceased multiple times to death.

    His brother also suffered multiple knife injuries but is currently in critical condition at the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command DSP Ebenezer Tetteh told Starr News that the driver was immediately arrested by the Police at Akwadum but the mate is on the run.

    Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, President Akufo Addo, and various District and Municipal Assemblies have directed that drivers reduce the number of passengers they transport at a time to help observe social distancing protocols to minimize the risk of infection in public transport.

    Currently, Ghana has recorded 1154 confirmed cases with 9 deaths and 120 recoveries as of April 22, 2020.

    Source: Starrfm.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Final year SHS students likely to do national service – Education Minister

    The Minister of Education, Matthew Opoku- Prempeh, has hinted a one-year national service programme for all senior high school final year students if the deadly novel coronavirus persists and schools remain shut.

    In an interview on Metro TV, monitored by theghanareport.com, the Minister said the government was keenly considering that option should schools remain closed.

    “Currently, the education ministry is relying on Electronic Learning platforms (E-Learning) to keep schools running,” he said.

    Explaining the need for the one-year programme, the minister said during the O and A level era, anytime there was a disruption “aluta” in the academic calendar, the government introduced national service to cater for the disruption.

    The West African Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) has been suspended across Anglophone West Africa due to the threat of COVID-19.

    Students went home, uncertain when they will return.

    President Nana Akufo-Addo announced the suspension of all educational activities after the country recorded some confirmed coronavirus cases.

    Source: theghanareport.com

  • Muslims will respect coronavirus prevention measures Chief Imam to Akufo-Addo

    The Chief Imam of Ghana, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, has assured the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that the Muslim community will abide by and respect all existing protocols put in place by government and the Ghana Health Service to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus in Ghana as they begin their annual Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

    The Chief Imam made the commitment at a meeting with Muslim leaders called at the instance of the President at the Jubilee House today the 22nd of April 2020, to discuss modalities ahead of the revered annual Muslim time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement and heightened devotion and worship.

    Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, addressing the President on behalf of the Chief Imam, noted that the Muslim community will cut out a lot of the things that they would have done in normal times during the holy month of Ramadan.

    “For the first time, we are going to see Ramadan without the normal routines we see in Ramadan” Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu said.

    “We want to assure you as Muslim leaders, that the situation is something that we will really acknowledge. Our religion is a flexible religion, it is moderate, it contextualizes issues, so whatever situation that is, I am sure we will be behind you” spokesperson of the Chief Imam added.

    Request for Live Broadcast

    In order to reach the Muslim population during the period of Ramadan, the Chief Imam requested of the President to assist them through the National broadcaster, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), to carry out some of their activities particularly the daily prayer session from 12noon to 1pm live on television.

    President Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo in his address reiterated all the measures the government has put in place in the national fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. He indicated that the request for the live television broadcast of the afternoon prayers during the month of Ramadan is in order and he will ensure that same is done.

    “About the broadcast, it strikes me as a very creative idea and I am going to look into it immediately to see how we can accommodate it but instinctively, it sounds to me as a good way we can bring technology to help us in this our time to see how we can use it to bridge the gap for the faithful. Be rest assured and the Chief Imam should know that it is something that we are going to give very high priority consideration to” President Akufo-Addo said.

    2020 Ramadan

    This year’s Ramadan is expected to begin on Thursday the 23rd of April 2020 and end on Saturday the 23rd of May 2020. Believers in the Muslim faith consider the period of Ramadan, a time for spiritual devotion as well as a time to develop a feeling of kinship with other Muslims.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Covid-19 Trust Fund generates ¢34m from donations, buys ambulance for Ghana Health Service

    Chairperson of the Covid-19 National Trust Fund Board of Trustees, Sophia Akuffo says the Fund has so far received an amount of ¢34 million in donations.

    According to her, these donations were received from corporate and private bodies towards the fight against the coronavirus.

    She made this disclosure when the Fund donated an ambulance and some medical supplies to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and Covid-19 Care Team to be used by health workers across the country.

    Addressing a gathering at the Ga East Municipal Assembly, the retired Chief Justice assured donors and the public that monies donated towards the fight will be used judiciously in a transparent manner.

    “Today marks two weeks since the board was sworn into office by the President and the board is overwhelmed by the numerous contributions made to the Trust Fund.

    “The board is committed to its mandate and will ensure the transparent use of monies and every resource received for specific purposes. Today, Ghana Health Service is benefiting first from the fund.

    “The items include various sanitary and health appliances needed to facilitate the care of persons affected by the virus.

    “We expect that the items received will be allocated speedily to institutions engaged in the combat of the disease. As we accumulate more gifts in kind, we will make them available.

    “From time to time, the monies that we have received will be used to purchase relevant items and things brought to our attention by the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health.”

    Receiving the items on behalf of the facility, Head of the Covid-19 Management Team, Dr. Ali Samba commended the fund for its timely donation.

    “We are very grateful for this kind gesture. We know about Covid-19 and because it is an infectious disease, the consumables move so fast.

    “No matter how many items you have, you still need more and as the President said, everybody must be part of the effort to defeat the disease; both public and private institutions.

    “This is the biggest treatment centre and we are very excited about the ambulance because its arrival is timely,” he said.

     

     

  • March Producer Inflation records 6.8%

    The Producer Price Inflation rate for March 2020 was 6.8 percent, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), has said.

    This rate indicates that between March 2019 and March 2020 (year-on-year), the PPI increased by 6.8 percent.

    This rate represents a 3.7 percentage point decrease in producer inflation relative to the rate recorded in February 2020 (10.5%).

    The month-on-month change in producer price index between February 2020 and March 2020 was -2.1 percent.

    The producer price inflation in the Mining and Quarrying sub-sector decreased by 2.4 percentage points over the February 2020 rate of 26.1 percent to record 23.7 percent in March 2020.

    The producer inflation for Manufacturing which constitutes more than two-thirds of the total industry decreased by 4.7 percentage points to record 2.1 percent. The utility sub-sector recorded an inflation rate of 12.2 percent for March 2020 indicating a decrease of 0.1 percentage point over the February 2020 rate of 12.3 percent.

    During March 2020, ten out of the sixteen major groups in the manufacturing sub-sector recorded inflation rates higher than the sector average of 2.1 percent. Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. recorded the highest inflation rate of 24.7 percent, while the Manufacture of coke, refined petroleum products and nuclear fuel recorded a deflation rate of -9.6 percent.

    The producer inflation rate in the petroleum subsector was 13.0 percent in March 2019. In April 2019, the rate increased to record 17.2 percent but declined to 1.2 percent in June 2019. However, it increased to 3.1 percent in August 2019 but declined again to -5.7 percent in October 2019.

    Thereafter the rate increased consistently to record 20.6 percent in January 2020, but declined consistently to record -9.6 percent in March 2020.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Christian clergy pledge support to government’s coronavirus fight

    Leaders of the Christian community in Ghana have pledged their unwavering support to the government, as it takes continued steps to stop the spread of the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 within the Ghanaian territory.

    The eminent clergy made the pledge through the Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, at the Jubilee House, when he addressed the President on behalf of his colleague clergymen and women at a meeting called at the instance of the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to solicit the thought of leaders of the Church in Ghana on the way forward for the COVID-19 fight.

    “We are behind what the government is doing and we will do it such that at the end of the day, we will all rejoice for it that we stood together, we were in it together, and we have battled to win together and that the Church can join in the celebration after it all” Rt. Rev. Kwabena Boafo said.

    State-Church Partnership

    The clergy further observed that since the outbreak of the pandemic, the State-Church partnership has been deepened and it has become a stronger relationship. To this end, Rev. Kwabena Boafo noted that from Friday the 24th to the 26th of April 2020 will be fasting for the three day period and beseech the covering of God over Ghana and His intervention to arrest the spread of COVID-19 in our shores.

    President Akufo-Addo

    In his remarks to the clergy, President Akufo-Addo indicated that the thoughts and input of the Christian leadership in Ghana are invaluable to the fight against COVID-19 and that is what has motivated his decision to meet with them.

    The President further noted that it is important to discuss with leaders of the Christian community the current ban on public gatherings and for that matter, church gatherings and to come up with modalities and timelines for the lifting of that restriction.

    “You are major actors in the struggle, the banning of public gatherings that affects the churches affects each one of you. I felt that with all of this, as the background, with the role that you have already played, and continue to play, it would be a good moment for us to meet again and exchange views as to the way forward for our country” President Akufo-Addo stated.

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • COVID-19 recoveries in Ghana now 120

    21 more people have recovered from the novel Coronavirus infection in Ghana.

    The total recoveries now stand at 120.

    This was announced by the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kumah Aboagye.

    Meanwhile, the total COVID-19 cases in the country have shot up from 1,042 to 1,154.

    “Ghana now has 1,154 cases so far. Out of this, we have had about 120 having recovered,” Dr. Aboagye said.

    He noted that, out of the recoveries, 82 were those who were being treated at the Ga East Municipal Hospital, “UGMC has reported 17 recoveries, Ridge has reported 3 recoveries, the 37 Military Hospital has recovered four recoveries, Tema General Hospital has one and Ashanti Region has six. Wa has one recovery and Tamale has six”.

    Number of recoveries from the various hospitals

    • Ga East 82
    • UGMC 17
    • Ridge hospital 3
    • 37 Military Hospital 4
    • Tema General Hospital 1
    • Ashanti region 6
    • Upper West (Wa) 1
    • Northern Region (Tamale) 6 cases

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • COVID-19: We have no intentions of stopping contact tracing – Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye

    Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye has disclosed that contact tracing of persons infected with the Coronavirus will not cease despite the lifting of restrictions on movement in the country.

    With 1042 people contracting the virus and over 60000 testing negative, President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in consultation with stakeholders in the health sector and other sectors of the economy lifted restrictions on movement in the country.

    The President noted that the decision to cancel the partial lockdown was informed by adequate data and knowledge on the COVID-19 pandemic.

    According to Dr. Kuma-Aboagye, so long as the citizenry can carry on their daily activities, the work of health Professionals at the forefront of fighting the pandemic is not over.

    He stated this activity of tracking people who come into physical contact with the viral transmissions will be ongoing, adding that the Health Service has adopted a modernized mechanism of using navigational system involving satellites and computers (GPS), and ICT enhanced methods to engage in the contact tracing.

    Speaking in an interview with host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo”, he said ”we will not stop the contact tracing. We will continue. Anytime we will record a positive case, we will do contact tracing. As at the day it (lockdown) was lifted, we engaged in contact tracing the following day. The 200 cases that added up on the last day, of course through the cumulative tests we did; we will be doing contact tracing of all the people”.

     

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • UK High Commission withdraws British staff as Ghana cases rise

    The British High Commission has cut down the number of British staff working in the diplomatic mission.

    The interim measure was undertaken after the Ghana government lifted a three-week lockdown in the country to allow free movement and business activities.

    The number of coronavirus cases in Ghana has soared to 1154 with nine deaths. A total of 99 patients have recovered fully, with more recoveries expected in the coming weeks pending additional tests for people who recorded initial negative results after receiving treatment.

    On Tuesday, April 21, the UK High Commission stated, “Given the rapidly changing situation in Ghana, we are temporarily withdrawing a limited number of UK staff and their dependents from our High Commission”.

    The release added that the High Commission would continue to carry out essential work, including providing 24/7 consular assistance and support to British people in Ghana.

    The High Commission suspended general services since the outbreak of the COVID-19 due to travel bans and border closures of several countries including Ghana.

    Additionally, the UK government advised its citizens resident in Ghana to stay indoors and “only go outside for food, health reasons or work”. The directive on working is for persons who “cannot work from home”.

    For people who need to go out of their homes, they have been cautioned to stay two metres away from other people at all times and wash their hands as soon as they get home.

    “Do not meet others, even friends or family,” the advice notice added.

    Meanwhile, other embassies and high commissions of the United States, Australia, Canadian and Dutch missions have all been shut down temporarily.

    The UK has the 6th highest number of infections with 124,743 cases and 16,509 deaths as of April 21, 10:30 GMT, according to tracking website Worldometer.

    Source: theghanareport.com

  • Publish expenditures of COVID-19 Trust Fund same as you showcase donors CSO demands

    The Institute for Liberty and Policy Innovation (ILAPI) has called on the Board of Trustees of the Ghana COVID-19 Trust Fund to publish all the expenditures on the fund in a similar manner as donors are publicized.

    According to the group, there is a need for the managers of the fund to be accountable to the public since it is a public fund meant to support Ghanaians in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic hence the call for transparency and accountability.

    In a press statement released by the Institute on Monday, April 20, 2020, they demanded that “inasmuch as we appreciate the showcasing of donors donating to the COVID-19 fund, the fund managers of COVID-19 must give the general public detailed performance statement of the fund indicating all credit and debit descriptions since the inception of the fund. It is a public fund meant for public support so must information on the fund be made public.”

    Given this, the institute is calling for accounts to be rendered on daily/weekly basis, how much is accruing to the fund just as the live update on the COVID-19 cases from the website of the ministry of health, including the details of credit and debit entries on the COVID-19 fund.

    Moreover, ILAPI is demanding the publication of the list of institutions and individuals who have donated to the fund so far and disbursements out of the fund. In terms of disbursement, the details of recipients either by their associations or industrial matrices must be made available and accessible by the general public and the donors as well.

    “This is not to demean any beneficiary but rather to enhance accountability, integrity, and transparency of the fund,” the Institute justified.

    The group noted that “if the policies and procedures are not clearly defined by the President or the Board of the fund, the fund will only cushion businesses affiliated to the party in power and none for other businesses” indicating that their motive for the call is to help improve the credibility of the government against public notion about government when it comes to public fund management.

    Source: ABCNewsgh.com 

  • 120 recoveries as Ghanas coronavirus cases rise to 1154

    Ghana’s coronavirus case count has increased to 1,154 with 120 recoveries, according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

    This was disclosed by the Director-General at the GHS, Dr. Patrick Aboagye at a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, April 22.

    The development means that 112 new cases and 21 recoveries have been confirmed since Sunday, April 19 when President Nana Akufo-Addo addressed the country.

    According to the Ghana Health Service, “Total samples tested so far now stands at 68,591 with 1.52 % testing positive. The results of these backlog of samples when released does not mean the number of new cases recorded on the day of the report. Regions that have reported cases remain the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Eastern, Northern, Volta, Upper East, Upper West, Central, Western and North East regions.”

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Security officers will return to enforce some of the new directives – Oppong Nkrumah

    Minister for Information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says the job of the security officers will see some changes in the coming days. There have been calls for the redeployment of security officers to ensure people put on nose mask and also practice social distancing.

    Mr Oppong Nkrumah speaking at a press briefing said even though there is no lockdown currently and security officials have been withdrawn, we will see them in the coming days ensuring that the new directives will be followed duly by citizens.

    “There are new directives of wearing mask, social distancing among others, in the coming days the job of the security officers will change, they will be back to help enforce some of the new directives”.

    The Ghana Medical Association has called for the police and military officers to be redeployed on the streets to ensure people wear nose mask and also practice social distancing.

    The GMA believes that this is the only way to ensure COVID-19 does not spread now that the President has lifted the restriction of movement of persons in Accra and Kumasi.

    Even though the partial lockdown of Accra and Kumasi has been lifted, President Akufo-Addo has advised that everyone puts on a nose mask and observe social distancing.

    The Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah said they had a meeting with the regional security council and have agreed to enforce the wearing of the mask, he said residents who are seen in town without the mask will be sent back home.

    Ghana’s case count as of April 19, 2020, was 1,042 with 9 deaths and 99 recoveries.

     

    Source: primenewsghana.com

     

     

  • Tema residents call for social distancing at Tema Port, Oninku school park markets

    Residents of Tema have expressed concern about congestion and the lack of social distancing among traders located between the Tema Port Clinic and the Oninku Primary School in Tema Community 1.

    The foodstuff sellers are part of the sprawling market on the Oninku Junior High School Park.

    The new market is one of three open markets created by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly as part of measures to decongest the Community 1 market (quarters) and to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

    However, the other two at Twedaase Junior High School park and Chemu Senior High School park have observed good social distancing measures.

    During a visit yesterday to the Oninku JHS market the Ghanaian Times observed that traders at the Oninku JHS side were observing good social distancing but the same could not be said of those located close to the Port Clinic.

    A housewife, Mrs Leticia Abbey, after waving through the crowd to buy some foodstuffs said she felt very uncomfortable.

    She called on the TMA to decongest that portion of the market by sending some of the traders to outlying areas of the park.

    Public Relations Officer of the Tema Central Market, Kwabena Andoh, said he went round with officials of TMA on four occasions to encourage the traders to space out their wares but their advice fell on deaf ears because most of the traders chose to settle close to the lanes to attract patronage.

    He said the issue was discussed at a meeting on Monday between the TMA and leadership of the market and a Task Force was asked to intervene.

    A good number of the traders said they were aware of the outbreak of the virus but did not see how they could contract it by getting close to each other. Some of them requested for more Veronica buckets, soap and water to wash their hands as what they had received from the City Authority was not adequate.

    When contacted the Public Relations Officer of TMA, Frank Asante, said TMA planned to install poly tanks to serve free potable water to all the open markets so that the traders could wash their hands often as directed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    He added that the Assembly had ordered a large quantity of locally made face masks to be distributed to the traders to reduce the spread of the virus.

     

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • Passengers who exhibit coronavirus symptoms to be banned on domestic flights

    Passengers who exhibit symptoms of the novel coronavirus after screening at the domestic terminal of the Kotoka International Airport will not be allowed to board flights

    According to Director of the Public Health of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Badu Sarkodie, the directive is part of stringent measures to be implemented at the airports to check the spread of the virus as domestic flights resume operations later this week.

    Speaking to Joy Business, Dr Badu Sarkodie said wearing of nose masks by passengers will also be compulsory.

    “We will make sure that we screen the various passengers for signs and symptoms at the terminals which include checking their temperatures. We will ask if the people are coming from affected areas within the country with the use of a health declaration form because we know that internally, some areas have been identified as hot spots.

    “We will trace to see if they have come into contact with any affected persons or non-confirmed cases and theses people will be closely monitored. If a person however shows symptoms such as high temperature, coughing and sneezing and we think you will pose a risk to others we will have to restrain you from going on board but this will be done upon dialogue with the Airline operators, airport operators and general information to people in the airport,” he said.

    Also, according to a release by the Ghana Health Service face masks will be worn throughout the flight period and there will be no serving of food during the entire period of the flight.

    All passengers will also be required to carry personal samples of hand sanitizers which will be used before embarking and disembarking the aircrafts.

    Just as was done for commercial vehicles, airlines will also be required to come up with some strategy to space out passengers onboard to ensure social distancing.

    Furthermore, airlines will be thoroughly cleaned under the supervision of  Port Health Staff after each trip.

    Below is the new guidelines for port health services for domestic airports in Ghana.

    Source: Sheila Tamakloe

  • Here is FDAs recommendations for homemade face masks

    Following the directive by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo urging Ghanaians to use face masks as a means of checking the spread of Coronavirus, many are resorting to making their own face masks.

    The potency of these homemade face masks, however, has been questioned by many. In view of this, the FDA has come out with some recommendations on homemade masks.

    Read the recommendations below;

    SPECIFICATIONS
    i. Dimensions
    • Length: Cheek-to-cheek: 10 inches
    • Width: 6 inches
    • Thickness: Three layers: Not Less Than (NLT) 0.759mm
    • Porosity: ≥10000 Pascal

    ii. Splash Test (Alcohol-based aerosol spray): No stain of alcohol-based aerosol should be seen at the reverse side of the face mask

    iii. Filtration of Bacteria: Reduction of NLT 3 log.

    SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOMEMADE FACE MASKS

    Fabric and Design
    •It is recommended that fabric used for face mask should be free from all chemicals.
    •In any event that printed fabric is used, the layer of the fabric in direct contact with the face should be plain fabric that is free from chemicals.

    Fabric/Material Combinations
    To be effective, face masks generally must be able to filter out particles and still be easy to breathe through. In the absence of propylene, which is the common material used for medical grade face masks, 100% cotton or cotton blends possess good material characteristics for homemade face masks. Recent studies/evaluations undertaken by the FDA on viable materials for the production of effective homemade face masks from local fabrics/materials established the following:

    1. Calico-Stiff (Hard/Medium)-Calico (three layers) combination is ideal for reusable homemade COVID-19 face mask.

    2. Calico-Calico-Calico (three layers) combination is ideal for reusable homemade COVID-19 face mask.

    Cleaning of Homemade Face Masks
    Reusable homemade face masks should be properly washed before reuse. Used homemade face masks must first be disinfected; then washed with soap or detergent until clean, rinsed under running water; dried in the open sun, and ironed before reuse.

    They should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use or when saturated from condensation build-up from breathing, or after a contamination event.

    **Provide identification tags on the face masks, including the FDA Registration Number

    Source: ABCNewsgh.com

  • Be transparent; we’ll demand accountability COVID-19 Fund Trustees told

    The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has encouraged the Trustees of Ghana’s COVID-19 Trust Fund to be transparent and accountable in how they manage the resources.

    The COVID-19 National Trust Fund was set up by President Akufo-Addo to fight the virus in Ghana and has a governing board chaired by former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo.

    The fund has received millions of cedis from corporate Ghana and individuals to help fight COVID-19.

    While commending private companies, individuals, religious organisations and civil society organisations that have donated to the COVID-19 pool fund, GACC reminded all persons involved in expending the funds to ensure that transparency and accountability prevail.

    “GACC is urging the government and all persons in charge of procuring goods and services to be guided by value for money considerations, and strictly abide by the emergency public procurement laws,” the anti-graft body said in a statement.

    GACC noted that it will lead the charge of citizens to demand accountability from the people entrusted with the COVID-19 funds and resources.

    Meanwhile, GACC expressed appreciation to all front line workers working to return the lives of Ghanaians to normalcy. The Coalition further commended the government for introducing social intervention measures to blunt the effect of the ban on public engagements on commerce, and thus the livelihood of Ghanaians, particularly the most vulnerable in society.

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • COVID-19: Reduce fuel prices or we increase fares Drivers

    Members of the National Concerned Drivers Association have threatened to increase transportation fares by the end of this week if the government does not reduce the price of fuel at the pumps with immediate effect.

    The association said its members have obeyed President Akufo-Addo’s directives of reducing the number of passengers in their trotros and taxis as a measure to ensure social-distancing in commercial vehicles in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The drivers noted that they expected fuel prices to have been reduced by now, taking into consideration the sharp decline of crude oil in the international market due to the coronavirus where a lot of countries are in a lockdown reducing the demand for oil drastically.

    “We have noticed that the government does not have drivers at heart and is unconcerned when it comes to matters of improving the lives of drivers. We’re therefore giving government up the end of this week, thus from now to 27th of April to reduce fuel prices or we will increase our fares,” the angry drivers said in a statement.

    The Association has also called on its mother body, the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU), to also discuss with car owners to reduce the daily sales for drivers so that they can also maintain and reduce the number of passengers as the President’s directives states.

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Ghana tops Africa’s ranking for Coronavirus testing

    Ghana has since its first two recorded cases of COVID-19 infections, had traced a total of 86,000 contacts, out of which the test results of 68,591 had been received.

    Out of the number 1,042 persons, representing 1.5 per cent have been confirmed positive, with 67,549 (89.5 per cent), testing negative, and 99 persons have so far recovered and discharged.

    There is, however, a backlog of about 18,000 persons whose test results are yet to be received.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo gave the statistics in his seventh COVID-19 Presidential address on the country’s interventions against the fight of the pandemic.

    He said Ghana was the only other country in Africa to have conducted more than 60,000 tests, and “we are ranked number one in Africa in administering of tests per million people”.

    The overwhelming majority of those contacts, he explained, had been established in the last three weeks of the partial lockdown in Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi.

    President Akufo-Addo further indicated that 930 persons who had been isolated were responding to treatment either in their homes or in treatment facilities, and they would later undergo the mandatory two tests to determine if they had also recovered from the virus or otherwise.

    He attributed the increase in the number of positive cases over the last three weeks to health authorities’ aggressive tracing and testing of all contacts of infected persons.

    That, he said, had enabled the authorities to identify and isolate infected persons, protect the population from further infections, and contain the spread of the virus.

    The President stated that the decision by the Government to impose restrictions on movement was backed by data at hand, and that its next course of action, again, was backed by the statistics available as well as science.

    “Indeed all that the Government is doing is intended to achieve five key objectives – limit and stop the importation of the virus; contain its spread; provide adequate care for the sick; limit the impact of the virus on social and economic life; and inspire the expansion of our domestic capability and deepen our self-reliance,” he said.

    President Akufo-Addo thanked the entire population for their immense support and patience despite the hardships during the three-week partial lockdown of some hotspots of the country.

    He, however, urged the public not to be complacent about the country’s efforts and achievements so far in containing the community spread saying the numbers of confirmed cases would still go up due to the effective contact tracing.

    The President encouraged the public to continue to adhere to all the safety and hygiene protocols, especially maintaining social distancing of at least two meters, regular handwashing with soap under running water, or use of alcohol-based hand sanitiser, having good nutrition, exercising and avoiding stress.

    He said the country’s success to defeat the virus depended on the responsible actions people would take to save themselves and others.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Contact tracing begins in Akuapem North after two confirmed cases

    Contact tracing for two newly confirmed cases of Coronavirus has commenced in the Akuapem North Municipality.

    According to health officials in the area, twelve persons have already been contacted while the results of some 400 samples taken are yet to be received.

    The Eastern Region has so far recorded 51 positive cases becoming the region with the third-highest number of cases after the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions.

    However speaking on Pulse on Joy News, the Eastern Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Alberta Britwum Nyarko said samples of immediate contacts have already been taken to Noguchi for testing.

    “We have also started rounding up their immediate contacts, samples have been taken to Noguchi. As at the end of yesterday, we had taken a total of 819 samples and we have results for about 50% of them. So every now and then as the results are ready we would receive some negative results and some positive results. Our team is always ready to do the needful.”

     

    Source: Kasapafmonline.com

  • COVID-19: Persons without face mask prevented from entering Accra City Hall

    Over 50 persons were on Tuesday denied entry into the Accra City Hall for not wearing a face mask as part of measures to stop the spread of the Coronavirus.

    The measure forms part of efforts to safeguard the health and well-being of staff of the assembly as well as other visitors into its premises.

    According to the Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Adjei Sowah who gave the directive, as long as one could get a cloth to cover his or her face and mouth, they would be allowed entry into the city hall.

    He added that these measures would help slow the spread of the Coronavirus especially from people who may have the virus but do not know.

    He noted that henceforth everyone coming into the city centre would be required to wear a face mask as directed by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

    The Assembly last week launched a campaign to promote the wearing of a face mask in the city.

    The Accra City Hall which is being managed by Listening Bureau, a property management company is disability-friendly and can boast of ancillary facilities such as a 300-capacity conference room, meeting rooms, cafeteria, landscaping (greening) and a 200-capacity car park.

    Ghana has currently recorded 1,042 COVID-19 cases with nine deaths. 99 persons who were infected with COVID-19 have recorded.

    The disease has been recorded in ten out of 16 regions in Ghana.

     

     

    Source: AMA 

  • Maamobi hospital staff fight supervisor for selling PPE to them

    Medical staff at the Maamobi General Hospital are angry at their supervisor for selling Personal Protective Equipment to them.

    Health workers at the facility can only access the PPE after paying 5 cedis in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The facility has recorded COVID-19 cases with some health workers falling victims as well.

    Speaking to Starr News, a midwife at the hospital disclosed that the supervisor has procured the PPE following lack of supply from the Central government which is being sold to the staff.

    The workers want the internally generated funds to rather be used in providing the PPE at no fee to them.

    “I cannot imagine a whole medical supervisor at the hospital selling us PPEs…she is selling to us at 5 cedis. We expected that even if she has taken from somewhere she can give to us and take it from the IGF.

    “The work I am doing is for the government and myself and so why would I buy my own PPE to work,” a midwife at the hospital told Starr News.

     

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • IoD to engage academia to research on impact of coronavirus on businesses

    The Institute of Directors-Ghana (IoD-Gh) is to engage academia, faculty and students to conduct research on long-term effects of COVID-19 on businesses, enterprises and organizations.

    This is to help design strategies and solutions for possible negative impacts of the pandemic and also forestall similar occurrences in future.

    Mr Rockson Dogbegah, President of IoD-Ghana said this in a press release copied to the Ghana News Agency.

    He said the Institute was also developing an on-line platform to enhance the capacity of members to use virtual media to carry out businesses to mitigate negative impacts and effects of the pandemic.

    Mr Dogbegah said efforts were also in place towards the rolling out of “IOD-GH SME Business Sustainability Programme (BSP)” to cushion viable but weak enterprises in the wake of COVID-19.

    He said such programmes would include targeted training for Small and Medium Enterprises to develop resilient business models to ensure livelihoods were not adversely affected by the disease.

    Mr Dogbegah said strategic consultations would also be organised to help directors and corporate boards to deal with COVID-19 related disruptions.

    He said apart from the business and management interventions, the Institute was also complementing efforts of government, including mobilizing donations to resource the COVID-19 Trust Fund and called for the support of all.

    Source: GNA

  • Providing PPEs boost our morale to do more – Health practitioner

    Dr. Lord Graceful Mensah, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Ho Teaching Hospital Tuesday said presentation of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to health institutions boosts morale of staff to up the fight against COVID19.

    “PPE are essential. They boost our morale to do more so when we receive such donations, we are happy and prepared to take good care of all patients…,” he said.

    Dr. Mensah said this when Mr Francis Albert Nyonyo Agboada, Member of Council of State for the Volta Region donated assorted PPE worth GHC100,000.00 to the Ho Teaching Hospital and the Anloga Health Centre in the Anloga District.

    He expressed gratitude to Mr Agboada for the gesture and said workers were happy the facility was not forgotten in the wake of the Coronavirus disease.

    “It feels good when you work and your performance is recognized so we are happy and we say thank you,” Dr.Mensah added.

    Mr Kofi Humado, Member of Parliament for Anlo, who presented the items on behalf of the Member of Council of State, said the presentation, also under the auspices of the Nyonyo Foundation, was necessitated by the seriousness of the pandemic, requiring the support of all.

    Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister who received the items on behalf of the institutions commended Mr Agboada for the items and said concerted efforts were needed to fight the pandemic and reiterated the need for all to comply with the social distancing protocols and other precautionary measures.

    The Volta Region has a total of ten confirmed cases of COVID19, with the patients said to be in stable condition receiving treatment.

    Source: GNA

  • Two COVID-19 cases test negative in Tano North Municipality

    Two suspected cases of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) recorded in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo region have tested negative, Mrs Eva Aryee, the Municipal Director of Health Services has said.

    She said the suspects were placed and monitored on self-isolation until the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) brought the results.

    The Municipal Health Director said the Municipality had stepped up precautionary measures and created holding rooms at the Bomaa Government Hospital and the St John of God Catholic Hospital at Duayaw-Nkwanta to contain any suspected case.

    Mrs Aryee disclosed this on Tuesday at Duayaw-Nkwanta when Mrs Freda Prempeh, the Member of Parliament for Tano North presented Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to the Health Directorate to combat the spread of the disease in the Municipality.

    The PPE worth GHC100, 000.00 comprised 6,000 hand gloves, thermometer guns, 3,000 hand sanitizers, gallons of liquid and carbonated soaps, a quantity of tissue papers, 2,000 pieces of nose masks and shields, some Veronica buckets, washing bowls, and detergents.

    Mrs Aryee emphasized the COVID-19 was real and advised the populace in the area to adhere to health safety protocols to combat the spread of it.

    She thanked the MP for her continuous support towards improving the health of the people and appealed to other individuals and corporate organisations to support the Directorate to facilitate quality health care delivery services in the area.

    Mrs. Prempeh who is the Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, advised parents to ensure that their children stay in-doors in order not to expose them to avoidable dangers.

    She said as the government increased measures to fight the COVID-19, parents had the responsibility to ensure that their children were protected from contracting the virus.

    Therefore, parents must teach their children on the proper method of handwashing with soap, and restrict their movements as well.

    Mrs. Prempeh advised the Directorate to ensure that health facilities in deprived areas in the Municipality benefited from the PPE.

    Source: GNA

  • FDA recommendations for homemade face masks

    SPECIFICATIONS
    i. Dimensions
    • Length: Cheek-to-cheek: 10 inches
    • Width: 6 inches
    • Thickness: Three layers: Not Less Than (NLT) 0.759mm
    • Porosity: ≥10000 Pascal

    ii. Splash Test (Alcohol-based aerosol spray): No stain of alcohol-based aerosol should be seen at the reverse side of the face mask

    iii. Filtration of Bacteria: Reduction of NLT 3 log.

     

    SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOMEMADE FACE MASKS

    Fabric and Design
    •It is recommended that fabric used for face mask should be free from all chemicals.
    •In any event that printed fabric is used, the layer of the fabric in direct contact with the face should be plain fabric that is free from chemicals.

    Fabric/Material Combinations
    To be effective, face masks generally must be able to filter out particles and still be easy to breathe through. In the absence of propylene, which is the common material used for medical grade face masks, 100% cotton or cotton blends possess good material characteristics for homemade face masks. Recent studies/evaluations undertaken by the FDA on viable materials for the production of effective homemade face masks from local fabrics/materials established the following:

    1. Calico-Stiff (Hard/Medium)-Calico (three layers) combination is ideal for reusable homemade COVID-19 face mask.

    2. Calico-Calico-Calico (three layers) combination is ideal for reusable homemade COVID-19 face mask.

    Cleaning of Homemade Face Masks
    Reusable homemade face masks should be properly washed before reuse. Used homemade face masks must first be disinfected; then washed with soap or detergent until clean, rinsed under running water; dried in the open sun, and ironed before reuse.

    They should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use or when saturated from condensation build-up from breathing, or after a contamination event.

    **Provide identification tags on the face masks, including the FDA Registration Number

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Drinking spots and game centers to be closed in Bolga

    The Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly in the Upper East Region, is targeting to close down drinking spots and game centers to avoid communal drinking and gathering to suppress the spread of COVID 19.

    Information reaching the Ghana News Agency (GNA), in Bolgatanga from a source close to the Assembly said in spite of the constant reminders of residents to take steps to avoid the spread of the virus, drinking spots have become safe haven for meetings over bottles.

    The region has recorded eight cases of the COVID-19 and one death with majority of the cases coming from the Bolgatanga Municipality, hence, the urgency in the need to take steps to close some key crowd gathering activities, including closure of markets on market days and complete or partial closure of drinking spots in the Municipality.

    The Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Joseph Amiyuure, who confirmed the possible closure of drinking spots and game centers in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, explained that these spots were areas people gathered mostly at night to drink, engage in other activities and did not observe social distancing.

    He added that game centers would also be closed down to ensure that the residents respected the social distancing advise given by the President and other health experts to check the spread of the virus.

    Mr Amiyuure who has been commended by sections of the media for taking such bold decisions to safe residents in the Municipality, said he would meet the COVID-19 Enforcement Committee on Monday and instruct them to enforce the decision as quickly as possible, adding that, the Assembly would adopt and enforce every decision that would contribute to slow the spread of the disease.

    He indicated that closeness from crowding, blatant refusal by some residents to observe directives on social distancing and individuals unwillingness to stay at home “even though they may have no business to do in town are some of the worrying incidents that the Assembly is confronted with”.

    The Chief Executive expressed gratitude to traders in the region and those coming from neighbouring regions, especially for their understanding on the decision taken by the Assembly to close the markets on market days for trading.

    He commended the COVID-19 Enforcement Committee for a good work done through the enforcement and engagements with traders and congratulated the media for its role in educating the members of the public on the disease, as well as the security agencies for their cooperation.

    The MCE said he would be meeting the COVID-19 Committee to brief them on the enforcement of the new decision to ensure the safety of residents.

    He spoke against stigmatisation of people living with the disease and their families and urged residents to avoid such negative attitudes.

    “Such persons and their families need attention and consolations from community members in these crucial times”, he added.

    Source: GNA

  • ‘Ghana is lucky to have you as President at this time’ Council of State to Akufo-Addo

    “It may be that you have come to the country at such a time like this. We are lucky, as a country, to have you as President at such a time as this. Your quote has been the quote of the year 2020, that you can bring the economy back to life but you cannot bring human beings back to life. Very prophetic and very insightful. Mr. President, we congratulate you on these.”

    These were the words of the Chairperson of the Council of State, Nana Otuo Sriboe II, on Tuesday, 21st April, 2020, when the Council of State, at the invitation of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, held discussions with the President on the measures being taken by Government to combat the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Congratulating the President on “the very able manner in which you have handled the crisis that has beset this country with the advent of COVID-19”, the Council of State Chairperson added that “your regular broadcasts have really brought a lot of encouragement to the country, and, as if by design or accident, the cloth that you have been wearing has been depicting the mood of the country at that time.”

    Expressing the delight of the Council of State at the establishment of the COVID-19 National Trust Fund, Nana Otuo Sriboe II suggested the decentralization of the collection of funds, “so that somebody in an outlandish part of the country can also contribute perhaps through the DCE or the MCE so that his name too will be in the annals of those who came up to support the nation in times of crisis.”

    With the Council of State having made a donation of 300,000 examination gloves, a sizeable quantity of surgical masks, and other equipment, the Council of State Chair commended the efforts being made by the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, and all other frontline actors in the struggle.

    “I think the fact of the members of the Council of State adorning face masks is an indication that face masks have become a part of the regime of the combat against the virus. We have to accept that this will also mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 and as much as we appreciate the integrity and the good intentions of the trustees of the COVID trust fund, we may make a small suggestion in effect if we could go out there to have the facemask sewn in millions so that every Ghanaian will have the privilege of donning a face mask,” he said.

    Nana Otuo Sriboe II continued, “They will be for free, but others may take it and put in a token gesture of some amount as their part of the effort to prevent COVID. I think this will be a better substitute than giving food which may not be going to the intended destination and even negates the principles of social distancing, because if you have face masks and you get closer, distributing the face masks will go a long way to fight the spread.”

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Central Region records 6 more COVID-19 cases

    Six more persons have tested positive for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Central Region as at Tuesday, April 21, the Regional Directorate of Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed.

    This brings to eight, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region, which had only one confirmed case and another from Accra being managed in a facility in the region, before the new cases this week.

    Deputy Regional Director in charge of Public Health Dr. Kwabena Sarpong, who stated this, said the patients were contacts of confirmed cases.

    The GNA reports that five of the patients, who were not showing any signs and symptoms, are being managed in their respective homes with others receiving treatment at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH).

    According to Dr Sarpong, a total of 107 new suspected cases were recorded as at Sunday, April 19, bringing the cumulative suspected cases from routine enhanced surveillance and returnees to 561 and their specimen had been taken to Nugochi for testing.

    He said 238 of the specimen had come out negative with 318 samples pending, while 240 persons had completed their 14-day quarantine period.

    Dr Sarpong said an additional 178 contacts were being traced making it a total of 783 individuals being traced for specimen collection through enhanced surveillance with the support of security agencies.

    He added that 148 returnees were under mandatory quarantine for 14 days in a safe and secured location.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Government unable to explain why GHS site reports 1,042 COVID-19 cases from April 13

    Deputy Minister for Information Pius Hadzide was unable to explain why the Ghana Health Service’s official site for COVID-19 updates reported 1,042 cases on their graph from April 13.

    A former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa in an interview with Citi TV said the government of Ghana is massaging the figures of the COVID-19 cases recorded.

    According to Prof. Akosa, looking at the graph on the website shows that the case count went up to 1,042 as of April 13 but government did not report.

    “Let me say that surprisingly you go to the Ghana Health Service website and you will realise that on the 13th of April that had been the number that was positive but somehow that number only came out when the President addressed us on Sunday.”

    He stated that the figures are being managed in a manner that is suitable for the government.

    “So in a sense, I am seeing that the results are probably are coming in but the results are being managed in a manner that might look suitable because on the 13th that 1,042 came out and it was immediately removed but interestingly yesterday the 1,042 came out but if you go and look, their graph tells me that was the number we attained on the 13th of April. These are the issues that worry some of us why we could not hold on and make sure we could zone the country and testing centres, currently you moving samples from Upper West to Kumasi why?…”

    Responding to the alleged management of the figures and the capacity of the various testing facilities, Pius Hadzide said he cannot state the capacity of the centres testing for Covid-19.

    “We do know the facilities that are testing, Noguchi and KCCR not just these, Korle Bu is also testing and so on we can find these details from the various institutions.”

    Pius Hadzide explained how the figures are aggregated and validated.

    “The figures emanate from the various testing centres, what happens is that these test results are conducted at these centres and the results are transmitted to the Ghana Health Service’s surveillance division and the directorate at the service aggregate all these figures and communicate same either through their website or they send the information to the central government, the Ministry of Information or the Presidency so we do not generate the figures, we barely communicate the figures as validated and transmitted by the Ghana Health Service.”

    He said he is scandalised by the comment of Prof Akosa and described his statement at the unfortunate.

    “I am particularly scandalized hearing that the man of the standing of Professor Akosa allegedly will make those comments, accusing the government of managing the figures without providing any quota of evidence I think… below the belt and it is unfortunate.”

    On issues of why the graph shows 1,042, Pius Hadzide was not able to explain why it is so and said even if that happens the Professor should have consulted the Ghana Health Service and not accuse the government of massaging the figures.

    “You cannot use that to accuse the central government of managing the figures you will have to interrogate this with the people who aggregate the data and validate it…”

    Source: primenewsghana.com