TIG Post

Tag: coronavirus in Ghana

  • Private Health staff in Eastern Region to lay down tools over 11-month salary arrears

    Health workers at Providence Medical Center, a private health facility at Suhum in the Eastern Region are threatening to lay down tools beginning Monday, April 20, 2020, over eleven (11) months salary arrears.

    Among the workers are administrative staff, nurses, midwives, records staff, orderlies and security.

    According to the aggrieved Staff, the Medical Director of the facility, Dr. Divine Apaloo has always been hiding behind the indebtedness of National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to the facility as an excuse for his inability to pay staff.

    However, they claim, NHIA has recently paid four months of the arrears owed the facility but the Director instead of also clearing at least half of their salary arrears, paid for just a month.

    Some of the staff told Starr News, their Landlords are evicting them over non-payment of rents whereas others are unable to take care of their families.

    “From Administration to Orderly nobody has been paid for the past 11 months. He always uses arrears of NHIA as excuse but now that NHIA has paid four months of the arrears he is still not willing to pay us. At least pay us four months of the arrears but just paid a month. So we want our money we have families to take care ”

    “One of the orderlies was recently ejected from his room over non-payment rent. Unfortunately, it rained that day. Similar thing happened to a security man”.

    “Now we all know how coronavirus is not sparing health workers globally, so if we risk our lives here and not being paid that is unfair” Another staff complained.

    Providence Medical Center popularly called Dr. Apaloo Hospital by residents is arguably one of the biggest private primary health centres in Suhum Municipality.

    Out-Patient Attendance has always been high compared to others due to quality healthcare delivery. The facility is deemed to be the best in terms of delivery of gynaecology and maternal healthcare services.

    The Medical Center has a branch in Koforidua.

    Efforts through phone calls and messages sent to the CEO of the facility Dr.Divine Apaloo for reaction to the allegations and threats to lay down tools by the staff remain unanswered.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Two courts established in Kumasi to deal with coronavirus cases

    The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, COP Kwasi Mensah Duku has disclosed that two courts have been established in the region to deal with people who flout COVID-19 directive especially the lockdown in Greater Kumasi.

    COP Kwasi Mensah Duku disclosed that 144 people have been arrested in the Ashanti Region who would be put before the court indicating that the law would not spare anyone who flouts it.

    “We are not in normal time so we would inconvenience many people we must abide by the lockdown directive. We should also obey the social distancing protocol,” COP Duku said.

    COP Duku noted that the fight against COVID-19 in the region and the rest of the country is a collective responsibility.

    He called on opinion leaders including Chiefs, Queen mothers, and Assembly Members to support the security agencies to ensure that people comply with the lockdown directive.

    He also urged people who have evidence against Police personnel extorting money from people to report to his outfit.

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Kwesimentim NDC Parliamentary candidate commends Western Region

    Mr Fifi Buckman, the National Democratic Congress Parliamentary Aspirant for the Kwesimintsin constituency has applauded the leadership of the Region for showing leadership in managing the first case of COVID-19 pandemic recorded in the Region last Sunday.

    “It’s refreshing to read the said piece as it shows good leadership to expeditiously come out with information in respect of the reported case in our beloved region to avoid unnecessary speculations, which has the tendency of putting fear in all of us. Kudos for showing leadership.”

    In a statement signed and copied to the Ghana News Agency, he noted the need for some important pre-emptive measures to be instituted with various heads of institutions to properly handle cases.

    He therefore recommended the setting up of a COVID-19 Testing Centre at the Effia-Nkwanta hospital to test those suspected cases in real time.

    He proposed the setting up of a non-partisan team to plan ahead to ensure smooth and prudent and safe distribution of foodstuffs and food to those in need to avoid the unsafe and chaos in the lockdown regions.

    The Aspirant also made a humble appeal to individuals and institutions to sponsor the procurement of the necessary PPEs for health workers whilst liaising with the Regional Health Directorate to put out timely information to avoid speculations that might lead to fear and panic.

    “The Regional Health Directorate must identify and prepare possible isolation centres outside hospitals to prevent inadvertent spread of the infection”, he added.

    On education, the aspirant called for adequate resourcing of the Information service department and the National Commission for
    Civic Education to intensify education and awareness through the length and breadth of the region in respect of the laid down rules and directives to be observed in respect of the prevention of infection.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Minority demands fairness in food and water distribution

    The Minority in Parliament has demanded agents used in the distribution of food, water and other social protection items to be fair without partisan considerations.

    The Caucus told a News conference at the Parliament House in Accra that it was in no way against the interventions, but pointed out that they must be fair, transparent to all the vulnerable in the affected communities.

    Minority Chief Whip Mubarak Muntaka led the conference, addressed by several members in the caucus including Nii Lante Vanderpuije, MP for Odododiodio, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, MP Ablekuma South, Nobert Nogbey, MP for AShaiman, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP for Klottey Korley, Sophia Akuaku, MP for Obom-Domeabra, and Comfort Doyoe Ghansah, MP for Ada.

    It was partly in reaction to statement attributed to a broadcaster, Paul Adom Otchere accusing Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings on television and partly on the perceived unfairness in the distribution of food to the vulnerable.

    Alhaji Muntaka said the stance of Mr Adom Otchere constituted an “unwarranted attack” as they, members of the Minority took part in approving financial assistance from Parliament that government sought to assist the vulnerable in the wake of the pandemic.

    He stressed that the disease did not know any party colours hence the House was unanimous in approving the financial assistance that government sought
    The Minority Chief Whip recalled that his Side suggested a non-partisan committee to handle the distribution, but the practice is that the distribution has become partisan using the National Disaster Management Organization.

    Members of the Minority at the conference registered their displeasure at the exercise stressing fairness in all aspects to the advantage of the vulnerable.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Traders at Dormaa-Ahenkro not adhering to distancing protocols

    Traders at the weekly Tuesday market at Dormaa-Ahenkro in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the Bono Region have not been observing the social distancing protocols against the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    Also restaurants, chop bar operators and drinking spots continue to flout the protocols as they open up for business day and at night.

    Although public education and sensitisation for awareness on the disease is on the high, traders at the market still packed goods, food items, and other belongings closely together, leaving very little space between them.

    When the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited the market, the usual hustling and bustling that often characterised trading activities were on a lower scale with relatively low patronage.

    Madam Yaa Amponsah, market queen for plantain sellers, indicated that persistent attempts and announcements to get traders to comply with the directives had fallen on deaf ears.

    She continued that when a two-metre space between two traders was created, another trader quickly moved in to occupy the space after noticing it had been left unoccupied.

    “I have been telling them repeatedly to obey the distancing protocols but they refused to adhere to those directives, even for their safety”.

    Mad. Amponsah said she would, therefore, welcome any move by the Municipal Assembly to shut down the market “if that is the only option to prevent the outbreak of the disease and possible infections”.

    Another trader, Mad. Ama Boadiwaa, a cocoyam seller also affirmed that some officials from the Municipal Assembly had been at the market to ensure strict adherence to the distancing protocols against the COVID-19 pandemic.

    But she regretted some traders were not cooperating and cited an instance where a trader had vowed that she was prepared to team up with the rest of her family members in the market to confront anybody who would dare to either push them out of space or deny them access to sell goods at the market.

    The principal streets of Dormaa-Ahenkro have virtually become deserted because generally residents are obeying the restrictions to stay at home and those being seen in the streets are workers who offering essential services.

    Veronica buckets, liquid soap and hand sanitizers have been made available and positioned at the frontage of most public office buildings, financial institutions, hospitals, stores and pharmacy shops to ensure people washed their hands under running water before they enter those premises.

    When contacted by the GNA, Mr. Drisssa Ouattara, the Municipal Chief Executive said the Assembly was in the process of responding to the situation with more effective measures for the people to adhere strictly to the social distancing protocols.

     Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Headmaster, two students voluntarily embark on awareness campaign

    A Headmaster and two students have voluntarily sacrificed money, time and energy to create awareness on COVID-19 pandemic in the Dormaa East District.

    They are Mr Solomon Ameyaw Akumfi, Headmaster of Dormaa-Akwamu Junior High School and Messrs. Seth Osei Peprah and Stephen Osei Afriyie, first-year students of the Okuafo-Pa Agri-Business Centre near Kyeremasu in the District.

    Speaking on behalf of his two other colleagues in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Dormaa-Ahenkro, Mr Akumfi stated they had taken advantage of the imposition of restrictions on social gatherings to embark on the campaign to sensitise the people about the disease to check community spread.

    He said they were inspired to embark on the awareness campaign to complement the effort of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Mr. Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, the Health Minister and other groups and institutions working tirelessly to contain the COVID-19.

    Mr. Akumfi said they had sensitised the populace in some communities such as Asuotiano, Akontanim, Wamanafo, Kyeremasu, Dormaa-Akwamu and Wamfie in the Dormaa East since they started the campaign somewhere in late March this year.

    “We intend to extend the campaign to Dormaa-Ahenkro and other communities in the Dormaa Central Municipality”, Mr. Akumfi added.

    “In some of the remote communities some share one basin and use one tissue to wipe hands while others have myths about the disease labelling it as ‘white man disease’ or ‘rich man’s ailment’, but through our education, we are helping to change the misconception and wrong perceptions”, Mr Akumfi explained.

    He said they had received support from some well-meaning indigenes, including Mr. William Sabi, the Member of Parliament for Dormaa East and appealed for more financial support from individuals and organisations to enable them to achieve their objectives.

    Mr. Akumfi said he sacrificed his salary to buy a megaphone and a banner while one student volunteered a tricycle used in conveying them to locations.

    He gave the assurance they would continue to spread the message until the situation in the country returns to normalcy.

    Source: GNA

  • 1 taxi, 1 passenger – Police enforce social distance directive at Odorkor-Darkuman Highway

    As the end of the 21-day lockdown period for some parts of the country nears, police and military men ensuring the directive is been adhered to, have beefed up security at all checkpoints in the affected areas.

    A tour by the GhanaWeb news team to some checkpoints in Accra revealed that the police were strictly ensuring drivers and passengers were obeying the social distancing directive.

    On the Odorkor- Darkuman Junction Highwigh, the police made sure each Taxi carried just one passenger, excess passengers were asked to drop and queried for further assistance.

    Passengers who are not essential workers and could not provide tangible reasons on why they were coming to town, were asked to go back home.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to address the country with his seventh update today April 19, 2020, GhanaWeb can report.

    He is expected to update the country on the latest measures put in place by the government to ensure that the deadly Coronavirus is contained.

    The President will also give the country update on the early 21 days of the partial lockdown of Greater Accra, Greater Kumasi, and Tema.

    Watch the video below:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ghanaians demand 6 hourly COVID-19 updates and not virtual concerts – Minority to govt

    The Minority has called on the government to avoid delays in updating figures on COVID-19 cases.

    They are demanding a six-hourly update, and want the government to be more transparent in how the numbers are churned out.

    Ranking Member on Health Committee Kwabena Mintah Akandoh addressing the media at the Parliament House said government’s handling of the case reportage and provision of PPEs is not the best.

    “Government’s handling of the issue relating to COVID-19 is not the best, Ghanaians do not need virtual concert at this moment, we are getting reports of inadequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) from all over Ghana, there is a clear indication of lack of transparency and trust of how many PPEs government has imported beyond the donations from Jack Ma and the Chinese government. There is a clear delay in the release of updates on COVID-19 confirmed cases, recoveries, deaths among others, sometimes updates are giving as late as 11:00 pm and that does not inspire confidence and leaves room for speculation, we demand timely 6 hourly release of updates. We have not gotten to the level where life must return to normalcy”.

    The government is still putting in measures to help in the fight against COVID-19.

    The minority has been supportive in their own way and have called on all members of the house to do their best to support the fight against COVID-19.

    Ghana had recorded 834 COVID-19 cases with 99 recoveries and 9 deaths so far.

    There has not been any update on the case count in the last 24 hours.

    The partial lockdown of Accra and Kumasi will end on Sunday and the President is expected to brief the nation on whether there will be another extension or not.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Coronavirus: Star-studded One World: Together At Home concert to be aired

    A star-studded special concert is to be live-streamed and broadcast on TV to support frontline workers tackling the coronavirus outbreak.

    The One World: Together At Home show will see more than 100 artists including the Rolling Stones and Billie Eilish perform live from their homes.

    The eight-hour global event is run by the Global Citizen movement and the World Health Organization (WHO).

    It will be curated in collaboration with superstar Lady Gaga.

    “We may be apart right now, but coming together has never been more important,” Global Citizen said in a statement.

    American TV personalities Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon will host the show, which will feature Elton John, Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey among others.

    All four members of the Rolling Stones – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood – will take part.

    Viewers from around the world will be able to watch the two-part event:

    A live stream will be running from 18:00 GMT to 00:00 GMT (Sunday)
    A TV broadcast between 00:00-02:00 GMT(Sunday)
    In the UK, BBC One will screen highlights of the concert at 19:15-21:15 BST on Sunday.

    The event will also be telling real-life stories of nurses and doctors fighting the coronavirus outbreak.

    Proceeds generated from the concert will go to the Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: KTU suspends certificates sharing

    Management of the Koforidua Technical University (KTU) has suddenly suspended the planned distribution of the Bachelor of Technology certificates to its 2020 graduands.

    It is not clear what might have informed this sudden decision by the University’s Management.

    Meanwhile, Ghanaweb sources reveal that Management’s sudden decision to suspend the certificate sharing was as a result of the concerns raised by some of the graduands in a news publication.

    The University brought out a notice on Wednesday, April 15, announcing the postponement of its 16th congregation, which was initially scheduled for April 18, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The notice had asked the graduands to pay an amount of GHC350.00 to collect their certificates before the ceremony, without which they could not access their certificates.

    The notice however indicated that the congregation would be held at a later date of which those who would have paid and collected their certificates would be made to participate in.

    However, some graduands did not get the notice clearer, thus, raised issues of an absence of a graduation list, high graduation fee and the fear that they would end up paying the fee but might not see the ceremony being held.

    Barely 24 hours after the earlier notice, KTU Management published another notice suspending the planned ‘giving out’ of certificates.

    The recent notice which was once again signed by the Registrar, Nii Annang Mensah-Livingstone, read, “Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Management of Koforidua Technical University (KTU) has put on hold the distribution of the Bachelor of Technology certificates to graduands until further notice. Any inconvenience caused in this matter is deeply regrettable.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Soldier allegedly shoots 50-year-old man at coronavirus checkpoint for using unapproved route

    A military man on operation covid-19 safety duties has shot at a 50-year-old motor rider for allegedly using unapproved route at a barrier at Dobro in the Nsawam Adoagyir Municipality of the Eastern Region.

    According to the police, report from the security personnel at the said barrier indicated that the motor rider refused several signals to stop when he attempted to use unapproved route.

    He was said to have jumped a bamboo barricade at the barrier where the security officers were doing road snap checks and nearly ran into some military men there.

    In attempt to stop the rider, the police said, the unnamed military man aimed at the back tyre of the motorbike and shot at it.

    He then fell with the motor and sustained injuries in the process.

    He was rushed to the Nsawam Government Hospital for medication attention.

    Briefing 3news.com on the Friday morning incident, the Nsawam Divisional Police Commander Sup Marian Adu- Osei said, said the rider in his oral statement claimed his brakes failed him for which reason he could not stop when signalled to.

    She said investigations have commenced to establish the true facts of the incident.

    Meanwhile, health officials are awaiting an X-ray results to ascertain whether the man suffered from the gunshot.

    Source: 3news.com

  • Coronavirus: We will satisfy every customer per govt’s directive – ECG

    Director of Public Relations, Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Mr. William Boateng has declared that his outfit will at all cost go by the government’s COVID-19 directive.

    He explained further that the directive allows them to subsidize through various forms of transmission all consumers due to the number of units used by a consumer.

    In a brief interview on UTV’s ‘Adekye Nsroma’ newspaper discussion segment, Mr. William Boateng specifically stated that all consumers of electricity in the country will have their share of the three months relief from the government.

    “Even though for now the directive has not been smooth therefore the numerous complaints we are working hard to adjust our systems to meet the new directive. We will never work against the government’s initiative but will make sure citizens receive their relieves in that order.”

    The ECG PRO advised consumers with any form of problem relating his office should call the normal call center they have known for their issues to be addressed.

    ” We have made preparations to address all problems related to our office especially ones related to government’s COVID-19 directive, just call our call center number,” he said.

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Woman arrested for running over foot of cop enforcing coronavirus safety laws

    Trudy Boatemaa Dako, driver of a Hyundai Santafe with registration number GE 2309-18 was arrested Friday, 17th April 2020 for running over the foot of a Police Inspector who was performing duty at East Legon Under Bridge, Accra.

    The suspect was signalled to stop on reaching the COVID-19 snap check at under the bridge, East Legon, but she failed to stop and instead, run over the foot of one of the officers.

    When approached by another officer, the suspect used abusive words on the officer and all the other security personnel on duty at the check point and threatened to deal with them.

    The Police Inspector who was unable to walk by himself has since been taken to the hospital for treatment.

    The suspect, Trudy Boatemaa Dako has been charged under the road traffic laws to be arraigned before court on Monday.

    Source: kasapafmonline.com

  • Ghanaians observing lockdown but not social distancing: COVID-19 efforts may be counter-productive

    It is a global pandemic that has overwhelmed almost if not all health-care systems around the world, particularly those of advanced economies.

    The one-time magic wand to deal with this pandemic is a vaccine – but even that is said to be at least 12 months away. Until then, world health-care systems have to resort to makeshifts to deal with the increasing number of coronavirus cases.

    While busily crafting a biological specimen to neutralise the virus, as well as making tents to receive the spill over from hospitals, measures including those austere enough to alienate people from their close relations had to be enforced, to slow the spread of the virus.

    Like many countries around the world, the largest economic zones of Ghana are under a lockdown – a containment measure targeted at “social distancing” people, which effectively slows person-to-person contamination.

    So, the very essence of a lockdown is social distancing, which is believed to avoid if not delay/slow the spread of the virus.  Even if all we do is delay the inevitable, delay is very valuable. Delay spreads cases out over time, preventing the fast-moving pandemic from overwhelming our health-care system.

    But the irony here in Ghana is that, a lockdown does not necessarily imply social distancing. The streets of the Central Business District may be empty, but not those in our local communities. It is business as usual in most communities in the lockdown zones.

    While at home, you see people in groups engaging in all sorts of activities including playing football, dame, running around, loud arguments, selling and buying food etc.

    Our situation is even made more precarious as hundreds of thousands of people scramble for free food distributed by the government -  a relief package for the destitute.

    The least said about our slums and zongos, (where settlements automatically defy the principles of social distancing) the better

    So, is the lockdown really achieving the intended result?

    Chew on this…

    Source: Chris Moses Kodo

     

  • Smokers are at high risk of coronavirus infections – VALD

    The Vision for Alternative Development (VALD) has said there are overwhelming evidences that smokers are at higher risk of getting other respiratory infections and compromising their immune systems.

    The VALD, therefore, advised all smokers to halt the habit and adapt to healthier lifestyles to keep their immune systems stronger.

    In a release copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday, it said the World Health Organisation, which was leading the global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, has warned that “any kind of tobacco smoking is harmful to the bodily systems, including the cardiovascular and respiratory systems,” as they were high risk factors to COVID-19 infections.

    “We have been told by experts including the Ministry of Health, WHO, and other respected institutions across the globe that people with underlying health challenges stand high risk to contracting COVID-19.”

    “The Tobacco Atlas reveals that in 2016, tobacco killed 75 men and 21 women every week in Ghana, and that in the era of COVID-19, these numbers were bound to increase.”

    Further data also showed that 94,400 people, representing 43 per cent, die from Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Ghana, presenting a situation about health policy, which could not be overlooked, it said.

    Many countries had, therefore, taken bold and practical steps to protect their citizens from death or becoming severely ill when they are exposed to the virus.

    However, in Ghana the smoking of cigarette and shisha among the youth was highly unregulated even though the Public Health Act (Act 851) bans smoking in public places.

    “This is an opportunity for the Government to, as a matter of urgency, ban all forms of tobacco products just as other countries have done for the good of public health,” it said.

    Reports also state that tobacco smoking could be deadly for non-smokers as well, adding that: “Second-hand tobacco smoke contributes to heart diseases, cancer, and other diseases causing an additional 1.2 million deaths annually”.

    The release indicated that several health authorities have also proven the fact that tobacco smoking weakened lung defence and made it harder to fight COVID-19.

    It urged the public to continue to adhere to all precautionary measures, which include frequent handwashing of hands with soap under running water for at least 20 seconds, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers to help in the fight against COVID-19, practicing social distancing, and reporting symptoms early for help.

    Source: GNA

  • 24 coronavirus suspected cases in Bono Region are negative

    The Bono and Bono East Shadow Regional Directorate of Health has refuted media reports of confirmed Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases recorded particularly in the Bono East Region.

    Rather, the Directorate said 24 out of the 29 suspected cases recorded in the Bono Region had tested negative, saying the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) was yet to bring results of the remaining suspected cases.

    It therefore advised the public not to panic, but complied with government directives, wash their hands with soap under running water and use hand sanitizers regularly.

    The media should continue to remind the populace on the need for them to continue adhering to the social distancing and other protocols to stem the spread of the COVID-19 in the regions, Dr. John Ekow Otoo, the Deputy Director, Public Health at the Bono Regional Directorate of Health has said.

    Addressing a news conference in Sunyani, Dr. Otoo said the Directorate had heightened surveillance and deployed contact tracers in the local communities to help manage suspected cases.

    Dr. Kofi Issah, the Bono and Bono East Regional Director of Health condemned public stigmatization of the COVID-19, and advised the media to sensitize the populace to help control the stigma.

    He said if this persists it would be extremely difficult to trace contacts of patients and thwart government’s efforts to stem the spread of the disease unless stigmatization and discrimination of the disease was brought under control.

    Dr. Issah said huge responsibility was on the media, if the nationwide war against the COVID-19 could succeed, and advised that the media intensifies public education on the regular use of sanitizers, hand washing under running water and social distancing.

    Source: GNA

  • Nigerian coronavirus escapee was hidden by friends – Police narrates his arrest

    The Upper West Police Commander, DCOP Francis Aboagye Nyarko has narrated how the Nigerian COVID-19 escapee was arrested.

    The 46-year-old Nigerian, Simon Okafor Chukudi, tested positive for coronavirus on Monday, April 13, 2020, but disappeared from his residence at Wapaani, a suburb of the regional capital, Wa after health authorities informed him about his status.

    He was arrested Friday at Wa and has so far been transferred to the regional isolation centre.

    According to the police officer, “An informant assisted us to arrest him at a hideout at Wa Polytechnic area, he had left his home and was with some friends in a different residence. We went to the residence around 10:00 pm and we found him there. We have been informed that he had already had contact with some persons, 7 in all, 5 men and 2 women and we have taken those people into quarantine too. I don’t know his intentions for running away but what he did was bad, the community folks are now happy we have arrested him”.

    Meanwhile, Parliament has approved the appointment of Dr Bernard Oko-Boye as the Deputy Minister of Health.

    His appointment has been hailed by many who believe he has all the requisite knowledge to help the Health Ministry deal with the novel Coronavirus.

    As of April 15, 2020, Ghana had recorded 641 COVID-19 cases with 83 recoveries and 8 deaths so far.

    Upper West is one of the 10 regions affected by COVID-19 with seven cases.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Some staff of Tema General Hospital threaten to leave post over COVID-19

    Some staff of the Tema General Hospital (TGH) are threatening to abandon post as management conceals information on colleagues who have tested positive to Covid-19.

    The Tema General Hospital is one of the designated national treatment centres for the coronavirus.

    According to the aggrieved workers, management of the hospital is endangering their lives because they are concealing information on their colleagues who had tested positive.

    They indicated that they were not told by management of the incident but were rather instructed to go and take the coronavirus test without any explanations.

    They disclosed that they heard that a doctor at the unit tested positive, but management failed to inform them even though they encouraged them to test, after which another person tested positive.

    “Due to the nature of our work we had close contact, more than half of the nurses and doctors are currently under quarantine, ”they indicated.

    According to them, even though management was aware that they had been exposed to the virus, they did not inform them only for them to see the pediatric unit shut down.

    The workers indicated that there was a lot of tension and anxiety at the hospital as they had been deprived of the needed information which they said would aid them during contact tracing.

    They questioned why the hospital did not have a designated place for quarantining staff with suspected cases as it is being done at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital but rather asking them to do so at home,  a situation they said could risk the lives of families and friends at homes.

    Meanwhile, the pediatric unit that was shut down was disinfected on Thursday.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus crippling blood donation, operations – Eastern Regional Hospital Director

    The Medical Director of the Eastern Regional Hospital, Dr. Cardinal Newton, has bemoaned the havoc being caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, especially to health institutions.

    According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic has crippled the incomes and the general financial base of the Eastern Regioonal Hospital.

    Dr. Newton made this knwon in an interview with Ghanaweb in Koforidua on Friday.

    He averred that due to the COVID-19, over 80 percent of the blood donation sources of the Regional Hospital had been curtailed, thus rendering the blood bank almost a zero account.

    “As a hospital we cannot survive without blood (in the blood bank). There are many critical cases that require blood (transfusion).

    “This hospital gets 80% blood (donated) from the secondary schools but because of this virus, all these institutions are closed. What it means is that this hospital is losing 80% of its blood donation sources,” he said.

    He further expressed that, “This COVID-19 didn’t come as a disease alone, it has come to cripple everything… everything in the hospital.”

    Dr. Newton indicated that a lot more patients, though sick, are staying home and are not visiting the hospital because of COVID-19.

    He also indicated that people visiting the hospital for various purposes end up contributing to the financial base of the hospital, but are all not coming due to COVID-19.

    “You don’t have patients coming, where are you going to (make money)? It is when people come that you prepare insurance to be paid.

    When people are not coming where do you get cash to run the hospital? So very soon you will be hearing that people are being retrenched,” he said.

    On laying off workers, Dr. Newton however was quick to allay fears, saying, “But we don’t want to get there. I am 100% sure that Eastern Regional Hospital will not sack workers.”

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Government commends COVID-19 contact tracing team, lab technicians for aggressive work

    Government has commended the team undertaking the COVID-19 contact tracing exercise as well as the lab technicians who test samples brought from the field.

    Few days after the COVID-19 outbreak in Ghana, the government tasked a team to search for persons who may have came into contact with persons who tested positive for the disease, an exercise known as contact tracing.

    Government later announced that it was embarking on an enhanced contact tracing in Accra and Kumasi with an initial target of 10,000 people.

    So far over 50,000 people have had their samples taken and tested for COVID-19 in Ghana.

    Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah in a tweet on Thursday [April 16, 2020] commended the team for the “aggressive work” done.

    “Many thanks to the contact tracing teams and lab technicians for the aggressive work you are doing. You were tasked to find about 10,000 at-risk persons. You have done 5x that and so far 51,000 of your samples have been tested,” Mr. Nkrumah said in a tweet.

     

    He however said additional 12,000 samples are yet to be processed and urged the team to keep up the good work.

    “As you work round the clock to complete the processing of the extra about 12,000 backlog samples submitted, be encouraged that the nation is grateful for your service, Akpe Na Mi,” he added.

    Ghana has so far recorded 641 positive cases of the virus with 83 recoveries and 8 deaths.

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

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Four new cases of COVID-19 recorded in Upper East Region

    The Upper East Region has recorded four new confirmed cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) bringing the total number of confirmed cases to eight.

    A statement signed by the Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Winfred Ofosu said one  of the cases which was detected through routine surveillance in the Bawku Municipality however passed on before the laboratory results were received from the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research.

    It further explained that “the burial of the deceased was appropriately supervised as it was a suspected case”.

    According to the statement, the other three cases were contacts of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the region which was reported on April 3.

    The statement added that, the laboratory feedback of the new cases was received on Thursday April 16, 2020.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Coronavirus: Viral picture of on the run Guinean patient not her Northern Regional Health Director

    A viral picture purported to be that of a Guinean national who escaped from an isolation centre in the Northern Region is not that of the real person.

    This is according to the Northern Regional Health Director, Dr. John Bertson Aleeza.

    According to Dr Bertson, even though the lady in the viral picture is one of the ten (10) foreign nationals consisting of Guineans and Burkinabaes who were arrested and tested positive for COVID-19 in Tamale, she is not the one who escaped from quarantine.

    He made this known while addressing a press conference to inform the media about the status of the patients whose cases are currently being managed in isolation. He revealed that six out of the ten cases have tested negative of the virus.

    He explained that initial tests results have shown that 4 out of the 7 Guineans at hand and 2 of the Burkinabaes have tested negative after haven gone through treatment and still awaiting their second test result which will determine their full recovery.

    According to Dr. John Bertson Aleeza “the northern region has so far tested a total of 155 cases as a region, 83 of which fall under suspected cases and then 72 of which are contacts.” He said.

    Dr. John Bertson Aleeza disclosed that the most amazing thing is that, a woman who is reported to have kidney issues and had come into contact with some nurses from the Tamale Teaching Hospital is one of the persons who have tested negative in the first run.

    He further stated that should the second test results come out negative, the six(6) of them will be deem fully recovered and therefore be discharged.

    He went forward to discredit the picture in circulation on social media purporting to be the identity of the Guinean lady who escaped from isolation and has since not found, adding that, the said lady in the picture is with the colleagues in isolation and therefore not the escapee.

    The Northern Regional GJA chairman, Mr. Yakubu Abdul-Majid who was present at the press conference registered his displeasure on the attitude of the regional authorities and the health directorate for making information accessibility tedious for journalists and also pleaded with them to make it accessible when needed.

    Hon. Salifu Sa-eed who is the Northern Regional Minister has asserted that the plans to repatriate the foreigners still hold and that they will be returned to their home countries as soon as they recover from the sickness.

    He also thanked the journalists in the region for their unwavering commitment and support towards the COVID 19 fight and urged them to continue the good work.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Use Volta hotel as quarantine centre Old students of Akwamuman

    Old students of Akwamuman SHS in the Asuogyaman district have warned they will resist the decision by government to use the school as a quarantine centre for Covid-19.

    According to the old students, government failed to consult relevant stakeholders in the area before settling on the school.

    Speaking to Starr News on the development, acting president of the Akwamuman Old Students Association Stephen Adipa Nyarko said government has several options aside the Akwamuman SHSs to use as quarantine centre.

    ” First of all, there was no consultation for people living around to understand what all these things are about. As we speak the chiefs and the people there are having their own issue with the assembly.

    “We have various alternatives withing the Asuogyaman district that could be used, Volta hotel is there, it is for government. We have health centres in the area which are not so close to the communities,” he said.

    He further explained: “Because of the nature of the virus, all students have left to their homes, for christ sake who would allow his ward to come back to the school after using it as quarantine centre,” he said.

    However, reacting to the position of the old students, DCE for the area Samuel Kwame Agyekum said the decision has been made and the old students will have to appeal to the Ghana Health Service if they have concerns.

    Coronavirus case count in Ghana has seen a marginal increase rising from 636 to 641 as of Wednesday night.

    Accoridng to the Ghana Health Service, as of 14th April 2020, at 23:00HRS, a total of 50,719 persons have been tested with 641 being positive for COVID-19. The breakdown of the 641 positive cases are as follows: seventeen (17) have been treated, reverted to negative on repeat tests and discharged. Furthermore, 66 have tested negative once and awaiting second test.

    This brings together a total of 83 cases that have been recovered / discharged. 548 cases have been categorised as mild disease and are on treatment, two (2) are categorized as moderate to severe cases, none in critical state currently and eight (8) have died.

    The five (5) new cases were recorded in the following locations; one from Adenta Municipality and two (2) each from Ayawaso East and Ayawaso Central Municipalities. With the exception of one of the cases from Ayawaso East, all the new cases are asymptomatic. Contacts of the new cases are being listed for follow up.

    Of the 641 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 268 were reported from two from the routine surveillance, 258 from enhanced surveillance activities and 115 from travellers who were previously under mandatory quarantine in Accra and Tamale.

    Regions that have reported cases are Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central, Eastern, Western, Volta, Northern, North East, Upper East, and Upper West regions.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Experimental drug remdesivir saving coronavirus patients

    COVID-19 patients who are getting an experimental drug called remdesivir have been recovering quickly, with most going home in days, STAT News reported Thursday after it obtained a video of a conversation about the trial.

    The patients taking part in a clinical trial of the drug have all had severe respiratory symptoms and fever, but were able to leave the hospital after less than a week of treatment, STAT quoted the doctor leading the trial as saying.

    “The best news is that most of our patients have already been discharged, which is great. We’ve only had two patients perish,” Dr Kathleen Mullane, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Chicago who is leading the clinical trial, said in the video.

    Mullane did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNN.

    The university said it would comment once the official results of the trial were ready.

    There is no approved therapy for the COVID-19, which can cause severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome in some patients.

    But the National Institutes of Health is organizing trials of several drugs and other treatments, among them remdesivir.

    The drug, made by Gilead Sciences, was tested against Ebola with little success, but multiple studies in animals showed the drug could both prevent and treat coronaviruses related to COVID-19, including SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome).

    Back in February, the World Health Organization said remdesivir showed potential against COVID-19. STAT said it obtained and viewed a copy of the video discussion Mullane had last week with colleagues about the trial.

    “Most of our patients are severe and most of them are leaving at six days, so that tells us duration of therapy doesn’t have to be 10 days,” she was quoted as saying.

    However, the trial does not include what’s known as a control group, so it will be difficult to say whether the drug is truly helping patients recover better. With a control arm, some patients do not receive the drug being tested so that doctors can determine whether it’s the drug that is really affecting their condition.

    Trials of the drug are ongoing at dozens of other clinical centres, as well. Gilead is sponsoring tests of the drug in 2,400 patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms in 152 trial sites around the world. It’s also testing the drug in 1,600 patients with moderate symptoms at 169 hospitals and clinics around the world. Gilead said it expected results from the trial by the end of the month.

    “We understand the urgent need for a COVID-19 treatment and the resulting interest in data on our investigational antiviral drug remdesivir,” the company said in a statement to CNN.

    But it said a few stories about patients are just that — stories.

    “The totality of the data need to be analyzed in order to draw any conclusions from the trial. Anecdotal reports, while encouraging, do not provide the statistical power necessary to determine the safety and efficacy profile of remdesivir as a treatment for COVID-19,” Gilead said.

    Source: cnn.com

  • Anxiety grips Ken Ofori-Atta as he undergoes coronavirus test

    Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta has tested for Coronavirus.

    This could be part of a measure by government to have all appointees tested for the novel viral disease, which has so far claimed eight lives in Ghana.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his family underwent the tests last month, a day before his birthday. Results were negative.

    Staff of his office, numbering 98, also underwent tests.

    Government appointees were also rostered to undergo tests in order to clear them, especially those who lead the fight against coronavirus.

    On Thursday, writing in the Financial Times, Mr Ofori-Atta announced that he has also undergone the test for Covid-19.

    “I have also been tested for Covid-19 and am anxiously awaiting the results,” he stated.

    He concluded his piece: “I am sleepy. I murmur through Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd . . .”

    Source: 3news.com

  • Coronavirus: GHS employs drones to deliver samples for testing

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has employed the services of the Zipline Medical Drones to deliver COVID-19 samples for testing.

    The test flight was successfully conducted yesterday when samples from remote parts of the Ashanti Region were delivered to Kumasi for testing.

    The successful delivery of COVID-19 samples by the drone is further proof of the technology’s usefulness and contribution to medical delivery in the country.

    The medical drone service, which was launched by Ghana’s Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia last year, has been providing swift responses to medical emergencies by dropping much-needed drugs to medical facilities when distress calls are placed to a command centre.

    Despite the constant political criticism of the introduction of the drones, its reliable interventions in emergency situations, such as yesterday’s delivery of COVID-19 samples, have helped many deprived communities.

    The drones often deliver life-saving medical reliefs to patients in deprived communities where access to drugs in emergency situations would have been difficult.

    As the GHS embarks on intensive contact tracing and testing following the confirmation of positive cases in the regions, sources have confirmed that more drones will be used for swift delivery of samples from remote communities for testing.

    There are currently two Zipline Medical Drone Zones in Omenako in the Eastern Region and Mampong in the Ashanti Region.

    Works are also nearing completion for the forth and fifth zones at Kukua near Walewale, in the North East Region and Sefwi Wiawso in the Western North Region.

    The Zipline drone is able to travel to about 500 health facilities within an 80-kilometer range from any of the zones throughout the country to deliver drugs and other medical essentials.

    In its COVID-19 role, the drones will mainly be delivering samples from remote areas to designated COVID-19 testing centres.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Allied health professionals suspend planned withdrawal from contact tracing teams

    The leadership of the Coalition of Graduate Unemployed Allied Health Professionals (COAHP) has put on hold a planned withdrawal of members from the Covid-19 contact tracing, sample taking and testing teams.

    The latest decision comes after several engagements with the Allied Health Professionals Council, the Ghana Federation of Allied Health Professionals and several calls and messages from prominent Ghanaians, a statement from the Coalition said.

    “Leadership has had fruitful but not conclusive deliberations with stakeholders. Our decision to suspend the withdrawal is based on the paramount interest of Ghanaians.

    “We therefore entreat all our members to immediately return to the field to aid in the COVID-19 contact tracing, sample taking and testing exercise. In show of good faith, we are willing to offer all of our members (3,797) as volunteers nationwide to help in the COVID-19 fight as we also hope that various stakeholders stick to their promise and do the needful,” the coalition of allied health professionals said in a statement.

    Nonetheless, the Coalition added that its previous decision to withdraw in the Covid-19 fight was justified due to the lack of response from stakeholders who have the mandate to ensure that its members are granted financial clearance.

    It further warned:“We hereby plead with the various stakeholders to ensure further engagements and negotiations to prevent future escalations.”

    Below is the full Press Release

    Source: kasapafmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Africa could be next epicentre – WHO warns

    Africa could become the next epicentre of the Coronavirus outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.

    There was a sharp rise in cases in the past week.

    There have been almost 1,000 deaths and more than 18,000 infections across Africa so far, although these rates are far lower than those seen in parts of Europe and the US.

    The WHO says the virus appears to be spreading away from African capitals.

    It has also highlighted that the continent does not have enough ventilators to deal with a pandemic.

    The organisation’s Africa director, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, told the BBC that the organisation had witnessed the virus spreading from capital cities to “the hinterland” in South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Ghana.

    She said they were focusing on prevention rather than treating the virus because African countries don’t have the capacity to treat many coronavirus patients.

    “We want to minimise the proportion of people who get to the point of needing critical care in an ICU, because we know that these types of facilities are not adequate by any means in the majority of African countries,” she said.

    “I have to say the issue of ventilators is one of the biggest challenges that the countries are facing.”

    For patients critically ill with Covid-19, access to a ventilator could be a matter of life or death.

    The machines get oxygen into the lungs and remove carbon dioxide from the body when people are too sick to breathe on their own.

    One of the first recorded deaths from coronavirus in Africa was Zimbabwean journalist Zororo Makamba in March.

    The local authorities in the capital, Harare, said that they did not have a ventilator to treat him.

    There are also fears that the disease could spread rapidly in overcrowded areas where it is impossible to practise social distancing and where many do not have access to clean water and soap.

    Source: bbc.com

     

  • Adhere to social distancing protocols in the sharing of foods Dr Dacosta

    The Chairman and Leader of the National Risk Communications and Social Mobilization Committee of COVID-19, Dr. DaCosta Aboagye, has admonished individuals, organizations and agencies involved in the sharing of food to the underprivileged in lockdown areas to stick to the physical and social distancing protocols announced by President Akufo-Addo as part of measures towards the containment of the deadly coronavirus in the country.

    According to him, anything short of that, will spell doom for the country and retard all the gains that have been made in our collective national fight against the pandemic, which has become the biggest existential threat to the survival of the human race, and an epitome of destruction to the world. He therefore cautioned all the organizations and individuals in the food distribution chain including the Gender Ministry, NADMO, NGOs and other philanthropists to ensure that the protocols are strictly adhered to.

    His comment comes at the back of news reportage on both traditional and social media to the effect that persons queuing for foods in the various lockdown areas are doing so in flagrant disregard to the protocols. Indeed, the media, in the past weeks, have been awash with videos showing huge crowds of vulnerable members of society queuing for foods.

    But speaking to GTV on Thursday, April 16, 2020, Dr. DaCosta, who is also the Director of Health Promotions at the Ghana Health Service, said, the failure to observe the social distancing protocols in the sharing of food is putting the lives of the people in the queues as well as those sharing the food at risk of contracting and sharing the deadly virus.

    “Practicing social distancing should be an uncompromising consideration by all persons involved in the sharing of food in order to avoid the spread of the novel COVID-19”, he observed.

    Dr. DaCosta also called on all health promotion officers to use their expertise through the regional health doctorates and district health management systems to work with the information services department staff and MMDAs to improve social distancing health education across the country.

    Source: Alhaji Iddi Mahayu -Deen Contributor

  • AGI donates cash and items to COVID-19 Trust Fund

    The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has donated cash and items totalling GHC500,000.00 to the COVID-19 Trust Fund.

    The donation include cash of GHC150,000.00 and items, including PPE, beverages, provisions, water and oxygen worth GHC350,000.00

    The AGI says the move was in response to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo‘s call for support in the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 in Ghana.

    The presentation was done at the press briefing on the update of COVID-19 by the Ministry of Information.

    At the presentation, the President of the Association, Dr. Yaw Adu Gyamfi, commended Government for focusing efforts on containing the pandemic and working hard to reduce the rate of spread of the virus in the country.

    Making reference to the negative impact of COVID-19, he said “within two weeks, we have all been hit by the outbreak of the novel COVID-19 in diverse ways. Indeed, this pandemic and its attendant actions such as the lockdown have really affected businesses and created interruption in manufacturing activities in Ghana.

    He continued that “It is for this reason we appreciate with admiration the government’s timely strategy and intervention to alleviate the economic and social impact of the coronavirus pandemic on citizens and industry in Ghana.

    He said the engagement of local manufacturers to produce GHc3.6million worth of face masks; GHc600 million soft loans for SMEs and the extension of due dates for filling of taxes from 4 months to 6 months after of the basis year by GRA; among others will go a long way to help reduce the negative impact on businesses

    Dr. Adu Gyamfi stated further that “we acknowledge the engagement so far with AGI in developing these measures and we anxiously look forward to further engaging with Government on the modalities for effective implementation of these lifeline packages.

    “He indicated that other areas of tax relief are also important and AGI will take these up with government in subsequent discussions.

    “I take this opportunity to express our gratitude to our gallant members who have been very supportive of government in these difficulties times.”

    He said many AGI member companies had on their own made separate donations to the fund.

    “In addition, AGI has mobilized cash and items from Danadams Pharmaceuticals, Tropical Cable and Conductors, Samartex, Nestle Ghana Limited, Fanmilk, Duraplast, Voltic, Berock Ventures, Afariwaa Estates, Asadtek Group, Redmoon Ventures, Ghana Timber Millers Organisation, GOIL, Merricom Solutions, M&G Pharmaceuticals, Sleek Garments, FC Perfumery Polytank, IPMC, Sid Cosmetics, Crocodile Matchets, OsAfric Ltd., Lion Aluminium, Kane-Em Industries, and Metalex Ltd.

    Other donors include Fay International Limited, Worchar Agrow Processing Limited, DT Engineering, Debbies Limited, Voltic, Lexta Co., Qualiplast, Gandour Cosmetics, M & G Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacare and Nobel Industries, Accra Brewery.

    He said the AGI was considering another round of mobilisation and urge members to continue making their contributions to AGI and be part of the next presentation.

    “We also commend all Ghanaian health workers, security and other front line persons putting their lives on the line to save others,” the AGI said.

  • Coronavirus: NDC, NPP clash over Deputy Chieftaincy Minister’s false alarm

    Supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) clashed over a statement by the Deputy Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mr. Paul Essien that Nzemaland had recorded one case of the Coronavirus epidemic.

    On Easter Monday morning, the Deputy Minister who doubles as the MP for Jomoro went on a private radio station called New Day FM in his Constituency to announce that Nzemaland had recorded the Coronavirus and warned residents in the area to fear one another.

    Mr. Essien made the radio broadcast a day after the Ghana Health Service had announced that the Western Region had recorded its first case of the Coronavirus at Anto in the Shama District.

    The Ghana Health Service did not name the particular District in the Region which had recorded the case but the Deputy Chieftaincy Minister quickly went on air blow an alarm that the case was found in the Nzema area.

    Later in the afternoon, the Western Regional Minister, Mr. Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah issued a press statement which indicated that the case was recorded at Anto in the Shama District.

    The Deputy Minister’s announcement therefore put fears in residents of the entire Nzema area and has been condemned by some residents in the area.

    While the NDC is condemning him, the NPP seems to be justifying and defending him.

    In a statement issued by the NDC and signed by its Communications Officer, Patrick Ellonu, copied to the media, they have described the Deputy Minister’s statement as falsehood and malicious.

    “The Deputy Minister who should have known better went to the gutters to disgrace his office and the people of Jomoro whom he represents in the Parliament of Ghana, on a radio station in the Jomoro Municipality known as New day FM by stating it clear that ‘Ellembelle has recorded one case of the Coronavirus’ without verifying the authenticity of his statement from the Health Directorate of the Ellembelle District”, the statement read.

    “After our checks and further crosscheck from the Health Directorate at both the Jomoro Municipality and that of the Ellembelle District, it was found that the Deputy Minister’s statement was not only falsehood but also malicious”, the statement added.

    The NC by the press statement called on the MP to render an unqualified apology for causing fear and panic and after which he must also resign as a Deputy Minister.

    “We the NDC members in Jomoro are therefore calling the braggadocios MP who has nothing to show in his three and half years to come out and apologise to the good people of Nzemaland and after resign honourably for disgracing us ,because such a caliber can not be paid with our tax payers money”, the statement demanded.

    “A member of Parliament who continues to disgrace his Constituents whenever he gets any opportunity to speak on National issues can not continue to lead a serious Constituency like Jomoro”, the statement emphasized.

    The statement hinted that, “We state without any equivocation that if Hon. Paul Kabenla Essien refuses to apologise and resign as well as a member of Parliament and also a deputy minister we will petition the President and the speaker of Parliament for his misconduct”.

    But in a sharp rebuttal, the governing New Patriotic Party through its Constituency Secretary, Eric Muah has justified the statement made by Mr. Paul Essien on New Day FM in the area.

    “For the records, the Hon. MP spoke passionately on New Day FM’s Morning Show about the need to adhere to the precautionary measures put in place to combat the COVID19 pandemic. His passionate appeal to his constituents was based on the numerous calls he received that the directives were being flouted”, the statement explained.

     

    “Prior to the MP’s comment on New Day FM, the renowned Adom TV had announced a recorded case of COVID19 in Ellembelle District. For the passionate love he has for his people, the Hon MP, reminded the people to adhere to the precautionary measures put in place by the Health team of the ruling NPP government”, the statement added.

    According to the statement, the MP did not mention Ellembelle District.

    “As usual, the NDC, with no alternative to making Jomoro better for their 20 beautiful wasted years, found this as an avenue to make a political fortune”, the statement stressed.

    “Now, our question to the NDC, why didn’t you report the correspondent of Adom TV since they made it clear that Ellembelle had recorded a case? DESPERATION LEADS TO SHAME”, the statement quizzed.

    According to the NPP, the NDC is desperate for power hence their hatred against Mr. Paul Essien.

    “This, no doubt, is a show of desperation. We are reminding the NDC that Non-NDC Ghanaians do not have short memories as purported by their Presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama”.

    The NPP party in the Jomoro Constituency is therefore, calling on the NDC in the area to do issue based politics.

    “We would like to use this opportunity, like we have always done to ask our brothers to divert from their outmoded and super incompetent ways of politicking and upgrade”

    “Issue based politics is what is invoked, they must embrace it”, the statement concluded.

    Source: Daniel Kaku, Contributor

  • Coronavirus: Kwesimintim NDC candidate calls for testing center in Western Region

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Kwesimintim Constituency, Lawyer Philip Fiifi Buckman has appealed to government to establish a COVID-19 Testing Site in Western Region to speed up the process of testing for Coronavirus.

    His appeal follows the first confirmed case of Coronavirus recorded by the Region on Sunday, April 13, 2020.

    In an interview with GhanaWeb’s Western Regional Correspondent Daniel Kaku, the NDC 2020 Parliamentary Candidate seized the opportunity to commend the Western Regional Minister for showing good leadership to expeditiously come out with information in respect of the reported case on Sunday evening in the region to avoid unnecessary speculations which had the tendency of putting fear in the residents of the area.

    He suggested to the government through the Western Regional Minister to put a number of measures in place if there was going to be a lockdown in the Region.

    “Kudos for showing leadership. Your Excellency, I would want to respectfully bring to your attention some important preemptive measure you can put in place with the various heads of institutions that matter at this crucial moment especially as due to the rising numbers in the reported cases, we might have a lockdown”, he stated.

    In this regard, Lawyer Philip Fiifi Buckman called on the Regional Minister to use his high office to lobby for the establishment of COVID-19 Testing Site at the Reference Lab in Effia-Nkwanta Hospital.

    “As the WHO is recommending countries to test as many suspects as possible, I want to recommend to you to use your good office to push for the setting up of COVID-19 Testing Site at the Reference Lab in Effia-Nkwanta hospital to speed up the process of testing”, he tasked the Regional Minister.

     

    He also urged the Regional Minister to adequately resource the Information Service Department and the National Commission for Civic Education to intensify education and awareness throughout the region in respect of the laid down directives to be observed in respect of the prevention of infection.

    The NDC candidate continued, “Liaise with the Regional Health Directorate to identify and prepare possible Isolation Centers outside hospitals to prevent inadvertent infection of other non-infected patients and frontline health workers”.

    Lawyer Buckman urged the Regional Minister to include private institutions who are willing and able to donate for the procurement of the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to Frontline Health Workers to fight against the deadly Coronavirus pandemic.

    He expressed optimistim that the deadly Coronavirus pandemic would be a thing of the past. “We shall definitely overcome this. This too shall pass for our God still reigns. Together, we can”.

    Ghana has so far recorded 641 confirmed cases of Coronavirus with 8 deaths.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • City authorities in Sunyani design satellite markets to promote social distancing

    As part of measures to ensure traders and buyers adhere to social distancing protocol and reduce over-crowding in the various markets, the Sunyani Municipal Assembly has demarcated specific areas in the Municipality for the populace to buy and sell.

    With support from the Municipal COVID-19 task force, the city authorities have segmented traders and design satellite markets for them to sell their produce.

    Traders in vegetable and foodstuffs, as well as second-hand clothing, footwear and other commodities, are undertaking their economic activities at six satellite markets in the Municipality.

    When the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited some of the satellite markets on Wednesday, economic activities were going on smoothly, but traders complained about poor sales.

    Business activities at the Nana Bosoma Central Market are always brisk on Wednesdays, which are market days in Sunyani as petty traders, market women and dealers in all sorts of items gathered at the market.

    There is high human and vehicular traffic during these days as most dealers in second clothing and footwear move from the Ashanti region to do business.

    The traders however lauded the move and other steps being put in place by the city authorities to stem the spread of the COVID-19, and called on the Assembly to intensify media education so that it would be easy for buyers to identify the various markets.

    Veronica buckets, soaps, tissue papers and sanitizers were sighted at the markets to aid handwashing with soap under running water.

    Traders in second-hand clothing, handbags, shoes, and footwear, are relocated to sell at the Jubilee Park while those engaged in fruits and vegetables are selling at Area Two around the Twene Amanfo Senior High and Technical schools.

    Crops – root and tubers such as cassava, plantain, yam, maize and others are being sold at the premises of the Sunyani Coronation Park, while dealers in meat, spices, oil and provisions are maintained at the Nana Bosoma Central Market.

    Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Municipal Assembly and signed by Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive advised traders to comply with the new measures.

    A copy of the statement made available to the GNA indicated the assembly in collaboration with the Sunyani Traditional Council and the Municipal Security Council decided as a means to ensure the populace complied with government directives on the COVID-19.

    “The Assembly in a meeting with market women agreed on all traders in the Nana Bosoma central market and the Central Business District must split to ease congestion and stem the spread of the COVID-19“, it added.

    The statement added with effect from Thursday, April 16, 2020, all a taskforce would go round and ensure that traders adhere to the new directive, warning that those who would be found culpable would not be spared.

    Source: GNA

  • EBID contributes US$250,000 to Ghana’s COVID-19 Trust Fund

    The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has donated US$250,000 to the Ghana COVID-19 Trust Fund established by President Akufo-Addo to mobilise resources towards containing the spread of Coronavirus in the nation.

    The President of EBID, Dr George Agyekum Donkor, made the presentation to Ms Sophia Akufo, Chairperson of the Ghana COVID-19 Trust Fund, in Accra.

    Presenting the cheque, Dr Donkor said, “The ECOWAS Bank was deeply concerned about the profound impact the pandemic was having on the people of the region.”

    He added, “We have come here to show solidarity, to support the [Ghana] government concerning the various emergency measures that have been put in place to ensure that the lives of millions of the people are saved.”

    The coronavirus pandemic first broke out in the West African nation on March 12 and since then, the number of cases have climbed to 636 by Tuesday April 14, with 8 reported deaths, 17 recoveries.

    In an attempt to stem its spread, Ghana government has introduced a wide range of measures, including; ban on social gatherings, closure of schools and enforcing partial lockdown in hotspot areas, and establishing a national Fund to mobilise resources.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, subsequently inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Covid-19 National Trust Fund with former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo as chairperson.

    The Board is mandated to receive donations and contributions from the public and channel it to the most deprived and vulnerable in society.

    The 250,000-dollar contribution by EBID was in reaction to the call for both public and private support to help deal with the virus spread that had already been reported in 10 out of Ghana’s 16 regions.

    Dr Donkor said the Bank would come back to support the various efforts that the government had put in place “anytime the need arises” to help combat the deadly virus.

    “Ghana plays a pivotal role in the Bank as a second united shareholder, and we cannot take you for granted in the enormous contribution that the government has made towards the advancement of the Bank over the years,” he added.

    Ms Sophia who received the Cheque was delighted for the gesture, saying, “This is such an important gesture for the regional bank to reach out in this manner to help Ghana not only to combat the virus, but also to alleviate the plight of the poor and vulnerable who maybe or have been affected by the virus.”

    “Indeed, development depends on the health of the people and this gesture is a clear expression,” she added.

    Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta was grateful to EBID for recognising the exigencies of the coronavirus situation in Ghana by making such significant contribution to help the government tackle it.

    Source: GNA

  • Lockdown: 47 arrested for trying to flee Accra

    Police personnel stationed at Adenta -Dodowa snap checkpoint have intercepted two commercial buses that were secretly conveying passengers from Accra to Dambai, in the Oti Region.

    The passengers, according to the police, were 47 in number and were intercepted around 12:30 am, on April, 15.

    The vehicles, the police said, included a Tata commercial bus with registration number GS 6511-10 driven by Ibrahim Abu and with 27 passengers onboard and a Sprinter commercial bus with registration No.GW 6123-14 also driven by Emmanuel Akibi, with 16 passengers on board.

    The police said their investigations revealed that the drivers in charge of the vehicles loaded the passengers from Tema station and were secretly taking them to Dambai when they were intercepted.

    The Accra Regional Police public relations officer, DSP Effia Tenge, who briefed DGN Online in a telephone interview, said 32 of the passengers including the drivers were put before the Adenta Magistrate court on April 16 after investigations.

    She said the court presided over by Dora Eshun, sentenced one of the passengers who pleaded guilty to the charge levelled against him to a fine of Ghc 12,000, while the others were remanded for two weeks.

     

    Source: DailyGuideNework.com

  • Family member of late coronavirus boy tests positive

    Information reaching DGN Online, indicates that a family member of the 19-year-old COVID-19 patient who died at Walewale in the North East Region has tested positive for the virus.

    A sample was taken from persons who came into contact with the deceased and sent to the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) for testing and one result came back positive.

    A source told DGN Online that samples of 35 family members of the deceased COVID-19 were taken for testing after their relative died of the disease.

    “ 35 samples were taken for testing and one came back positive for COVID-19,” the source revealed.

    The family member who tested positive for the COVID-19 is said to have been in close contact with the deceased before his death.

    He has since been isolated and sent to a centre to commence treatment.

    Meanwhile , health workers and other family members who were under mandatory quarantine and tested negative have been released.

    The family have since been briefed about the test result and they have accepted it.

    The 19-year old boy died at the Walewale government hospital after he was brought to the facility coughing and showing symptoms of COVID-19.

    The hospital took a sample and sent to the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) for testing and the result came back positive.

    It has emerged that the deceased COVID-19 patient have no international travel history.

    Meanwhile, residents are living in fear since news broke that a native died of the COVID-19 virus.

    North East is the fourth region from the five regions of the north to have confirmed a COVID-19 case.

    In total, the North East region has recorded two COVID-19 positive cases.

     

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Coronavirus: Tamale patients test negative in second test

    Six of the ten foreign nationals who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus in Tamale have tested negative after weeks of isolation and treatment.

    The ten foreigners made up of two Burkinabes and eight Guineans were put under mandatory quarantine on the orders of the northern regional security council and subsequently tested positive for the virus, making the first ten cases of the virus in the northern region.

    One of the patients, aged 21 absconded and is still at large, leaving nine who have since been under care and treatment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital while some are being managed at a hotel.

    MyNewsGh.com sources say a second test carried out on the patients turned out negative for six out of the remaining nine.

    “Four of the Guineans tested negative and the remaining three tested positive still. The two Burkinabes all tested negative. They are currently awaiting a second test, when that happens and the results come negative again, they will be declared fully recovered,” a release from the Public Relations Unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital said.

    Meanwhile, the Ghana Health Service has said “As of 14th April 2020, at 23:00HRS, a total of 50,719 persons have been tested with 641 being positive for COVID-19. The breakdown of the 641 positive cases are as follows: seventeen (17) have been treated, reverted to negative on repeat tests and discharged. Furthermore, 66 have tested negative once and awaiting the second test. This brings together a total of 83 cases that have been recovered/discharged. 548 cases have been categorised as mild disease and are on treatment, two (2) are categorized as moderate to severe cases, none in the critical state currently and eight (8) have died.”

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • COVID-19: Reduced banking staff undermining social distancing protocol

    The reduction in operational hours and the number of staff manning banks has led to queues at some banks helping to receive the payment of duties and taxes at the Tema Port.

    Thursday morning some freight forwarders, who said they preferred onsite banking to whatever electronic platform alternatives banks had provided, thronged the banks, especially Ecobank and GCB Bank, to wait in turn to make payments at the Long Room of the Tema Port.

    The behaviour of the customers was a direct affront to the social distancing protocols announced by the government and health authorities as an effective means to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country.

    The queue got so long that many of them became fed up and edgy, with some of them seen exchanging words with the security details at the two banks over who has the right to enter the bank when it opened at 9am. Previously, the banks opened their doors at 8:30 a.m.

    The situation prompted officials of the Tema Command of Customs to allocate a numbering system to allow five people at a time into the banking halls.

    The agents, the Daily Graphic understand have also been asked to make payment for shipping charges for shipping lines at the banks.

    Agents
    The agents want the banks to open other branches and further increase the numbers of their personnel, as according to them, the situation was slowing down clearance processes.

    According to a freight forwarder, Mr Samuel Okine, the present situation could bring about an increase in rent and demurrage charges.

    “Since the lockdown some banks have closed. Some too have given limited staff who are working. Currently, there are staff who are sitting home and you have locked your branches and there is only one person in the bank who is doing the printing. There is a pandemic and we are supposed to observe social distancing but as it stands now, we are not being able to do that”, Mr Okine said.

    “We are recommending that they bring more staff and if they cannot do that then they should open more branches as well so that we can do payment and ease the pressure”, he added.

    Banks
    The GCB for instance has shut down its Golden Jubilee branch where import duties are also received, leaving only the Long Room branch which had two tellers receiving and two other officers undertaking payment validation.

    The Ecobank branch on the other hand have four tellers receiving payments.

    The Manager of the facility declined media interview except to say that, the branch was under stress given the number of the agents who insisted on the onsite banking.

    Customs
    The Tema Sector Commander of Customs, Assistant Commissioner of Customs, Joseph Adu-Kyei told the Daily Graphic that whereas the online payment was the best approach, most of the freight forwarders, he said claimed the process was usually time consuming since they often have to go and withdraw payments from their clients before undertaking the process.

    The banks, he said, had been situated in the port enclave to collect import revenue, and wondered why some special dispensation was not applied to them by the Bank of Ghana.

    “I have however communicated the challenge to the Commissioner of Customs who has promised to engage the Managing Directors of the receiving banks on the challenge”, Mr Adu-Kyei said.

    Asked why the GRA would not accept mobile money service as a form of import duty payment, Mr Adu-Kyei, said that such a decision will be for the Commissioner and the Board of Directors to approve to facilitate speedy payment.

    Mr Adu-Kyei, however, regretted that the Shipping Lines were refusing to accept cash payments in their office thereby compounding the challenges of the banks.

    Freight Forwarders
    The President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, Mr Edward Akrong however expressed regret at the turn of events.

    “I undertake all my revenue payment transactions online using the Ecobank App and I know a lot of our members who do same too. I don’t know why some agents would just not want to do anything with technology for their own efficiency”, he lamented and challenged the freight forwarders to endeavour to be abreast of technology so as to reduce the incidence of the COVID-19.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Coronavirus vaccine will be ready soon but the problem will be the cost – Prof Alex Dodoo

    Director-General of the Ghana Standard Authority, Professor Alex Dodoo has revealed that the Covid-19 vaccine will be ready way before the end of this year.

    Prof Alex Dodoo who is a clinical pharmacologist and currently serving on some UN and WHO vaccine boards at the global level said eight vaccines have been identified.

    According to him, these vaccines are in different laboratories around the world.

    “There are already vaccines and I am serving on one committee looking at the safety of the vaccine as far as I can say, let’s face it safety is number one and currently most of the vaccine we have I will say we are evaluating the safety without saying too much. There are at least 8 vaccines in different laboratories.”

    He said these vaccines are being evaluated for its safety and some of the vaccines have already started human trials.

    Prof Alex Dodoo explained that in the next three weeks they will be sure of the vaccines that will be allowed to go further with their works.

    “These are being evaluated and one or two have stated human trails but the issue is that you want to be sure they are safe. When you look at their safety it is more complex, are they safe on their own? are they safe when you add other vaccines? are they safe under all conditions of use? and who do you give them too. Within the next three weeks, we should conclusively say which ones will go further…”

    The Standard Authority boss noted that the cost of the vaccine will be an issue for Ghana due to the demand but believes Ghana could marshal its financial muscles to afford the vaccines when it’s in.

    “It is going to be the ability to pay because if there is a demand for vaccine.. we can afford and we can find the money.”

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Allied health professionals suspend planned withdrawal from Covid-19 contact tracing teams

    The 2017 and 2018 coalition of Graduate Unemployed Allied Health Professionals (COAHP) has announced a decision to rescind a planned withdrawal from the Covid-19 contact tracing, sample taking and testing teams.

    According to the leadership of the coalition, the decision was taken after several engagements with the Allied Health Professionals Council, the Ghana Federation of Allied Health Professionals and several calls and messages from prominent Ghanaians.

    “Leadership has had fruitful but not conclusive deliberations with stakeholders. Our decision to suspend the withdrawal is based on the paramount interest of Ghanaians.

    “We therefore entreat all our members to immediately return to the field to aid in the COVID-19 contact tracing, sample taking and testing exercise. In show of good faith, we are willing to offer all of our members (3,797) as volunteers nationwide to help in the COVID-19 fight as we also hope that various stakeholders stick to their promise and do the needful,” the coaltion of allied health professionals said in a statement.

    The coalition has, however, stated that its previous decision to withdraw in the Covid-19 fight was justified due to the lack of response from stakeholders who have the rnandate to ensure that its members are granted financial clearance.

    “We hereby plead with the various stakeholders to ensure further engagements and negotiations to prevent future escalations,” the coalition said in the statement.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • 15 members of a family quarantined after contact with Covid-19 patient

    Fifteen members of a family in Ho, in Central Tongu district of the Volta Region, have gone into self-isolation in their self-contained apartment after they came into contact with Covid-19 positive patient.

    District Chief Executive for Central Tongu, Thomas Moore Zonyrah, told Joy News on Thursday that the Covid-19 patient and his wife and children visited hometown where he came into contact with the 15 members of the family, before testing positive for the virus.

    The wife and children and the Covid-19 positive patient have not tested positive for the virus.

    Health officials in the district have been put on high alert to keenly monitor the family under self-isolation.

    Meanwhile, some two Nigerian nationals who were arrested for entering Ghana illegally through Aflao to Adidome to connect to Accra have also been quarantined at an isolation center.

    Mr. Zonyrah told Joy News the district was on top of issues.

    He said both the family self-isolating and the two Nigerians put under mandatory are being well catered for by the district assembly.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Obuasi: Couple, wedding guests arrested for defying ban on gatherings remanded

    A circuit court in Obuasi has remanded 40 persons for defying the ban on social gatherings amidst the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Ghana.

    Police say a total of 46 persons were arrested on Saturday, 11th April 2020 while holding a wedding ceremony at Akaporiso in the Obuasi East District of the Ashanti Region.

    According to the police, six persons were granted bail after investigations revealed they were not part of the gathering.

    The 40 persons including the groom and bride who were arraigned on Thursday have been charged with defying the Imposition of Restrictions Act and will reappear before the court on May 6, 2020.

    The officer in charge of prosecution at the Obuasi Divisional Police Command, ASP Kwabena Oduro Boateng told Citi News that “We arrested more than 40 people who were celebrating a marriage ceremony at Obuasi. They were taken to court today and have been remanded to reappear before the Obuasi Circuit Court on the 6th of next month. We arrested about 46 but 40 were taken to court. This was because after the investigation, it was revealed that the six people were not part of the people who committed the offence. They were charged with violating the Restrictions Act. They all pleaded not guilty to the offence.”

    Background

    The persons that were picked up during the ceremony included the groom, Philip Ahenekwa, aged 35, and the bride, Ama Frema, aged 40.

    The Obuasi Municipal Police Commander, DSP Martin Asenso, told the media that some of the guests managed to evade arrest.

    In a similar incident, a couple and over 25 guests out of 50 were arrested by the Greater Accra Regional Police Command during their wedding ceremony in Darkuman over the weekend.

     

    Persons arrested for flouting directives

    Some 406 persons have so far been arrested for violating the partial lockdown directive and the ban on public gatherings.

    This was disclosed by ACP Lydia Donkor, Head of Legal and Prosecution at Accra Regional Police Command of the Ghana Police Service on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, at a press briefing organised by the Ministry of Information.

    “So far, 406 persons have been arrested with 103 in custody. 248 have been granted bail and 41 have been processed for court,” she said.

    70 out of the 406 persons are in the Ashanti Region.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Coronavirus: Dodowa market to be closed over disregard for social distancing

    Operations at the Dodowa market in the Shai-Osudoku District of Accra are expected to come to a halt for a period of one week due to overcrowding at the market in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

    This will take effect from Monday, April 20 to Saturday, April 27, 2020.

    Activities will, however, resume on Monday, April 28, 2020.

    A statement from the Shai-Osudoku District Joint Committee noted that this decision was taken because “the measures instituted to maintain social distancing among other protocols to contain the spread of the COVID-19 in the Dodowa market are not yielding the intended results.”

    Giving more clarification, the statement continued: “Even though the market women are adhering to the shift system announced in our previous measures issued to decongest the market, it has been observed that the closure of markets in the La Nkwantanang and other municipalities has led to heavy and uncontrollable patronage of the Dodowa market raising serious concerns and therefore defeating the intended purpose of the shift system.”

    The closure of the market is to “allow time for the Joint Committee and the market stakeholders to rethink and implement alternative strategies to serve the best interest of the general public during this period of coronavirus.”

    The Joint Committee concluded by apologising to the public for any inconvenience caused.

    Closure of markets

    Several markets in the country have been shut down because traders defied the social distancing directive in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

    Among the many closed down in the Greater Accra Region are the Ashaiman Central, Mandela, and CMB markets.

    Shops at Adum market in the Ashanti Region have also been closed to ensure compliance with lockdown directives and prevent overcrowding due to panic buying.

    The Ketu South Municipal Assembly in the Volta Region has also announced the temporary closure of all markets in the municipality for the same reason.

    Previous warning

    The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama had earlier warned of an imminent closure of markets if vendors fail to comply with social distancing directives.

    According to her, the need to enforce all relevant protocols to contain the spread of COVID-19 will be paramount in all dealings with the market vendors in the wake of the pandemic.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • No free power for customers indebted to ECG – Amewu

    Energy Minister, John Peter Amewu has clarified that persons who have been taken off the national grid due to indebtedness will not benefit from the absorption of electricity tariffs.

    The Minister responding to a question on how such persons can benefit from the benefit said only those who will pay their arrears will benefit from the package.

    He explained those who were disconnected will not enjoy until they are brought back to the national grid.

    The Minister has hinted it will cost the nation GHC1 billion to absorb the electricity bills of Ghanaians for the next three months as part of relief measures in the wake of the Coronavirus disease.

    The amount is expected to cover an estimated population of about 4.8 million meters across Ghana.

    According to him, the amount would cover the electricity bills of consumers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).

    The Energy Minister explained that life-line consumers as defined by the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC), where people who used only one television set, two lighting bulb points, a table top fridge and a fan for a limited number of hours.

    The government would fully absorb the electricity bills for people who consumed zero to 50 kw/h of electricity for the periods of April, May and June.

    For residential and commercial users, the government would absorb 50 per cent of the electricity bills using March 2020 as benchmark.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Stop discriminating against recovered patients – Fred Drah

    One of the recovered patients of the deadly coronavirus disease, Mr. Fredrick Kwaku Drahhas underscored the need for Ghanaians to desist from stigmatising against persons who have recovered from the global pandemic.

    Sharing his experience with the disease, the father of four said he has undergone treatment, recovered and back with his family but would encourage Ghanaians to stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus.

    Contracting the virus he disclosed was devastating for him.

    The recovered patient said he has taken the precautionary measures given him seriously.

    He commended the health professionals who took care of him rating them 95%.

    The health workers he added were highly professional and dedicated to their work.

    He recounted how he was rejected by people after he was discharged stressing that “the covid-19 is real. This virus is real. So please, try and obey the lockdown, social-distancing. Let us try and obey.”

    A total of 50,719 persons have been tested with 641 being positive for COVID-19. The breakdown of the 641 positive cases are as follows: seventeen (17) have been treated, reverted to negative on repeat tests and discharged.

    Furthermore, 66 have tested negative once and awaiting second test. This brings together a total of 83 cases that have been recovered / discharged. 548 cases have been categorised as mild disease and are on treatment, two (2) are categorized as moderate to severe cases, none in critical state currently and eight (8) have died.

    The five (5) new cases were recorded in the following locations; one from Adenta Municipality and two (2) each from Ayawaso East and Ayawaso Central Municipalities. With the exception of one of the cases from Ayawaso East, all the new cases are asymptomatic. Contacts of the new cases are being listed for follow up.

    Of the 641 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 268 were reported from two from the routine surveillance, 258 from enhanced surveillance activities and 115 from travellers who were previously under mandatory quarantine in Accra and Tamale.

    Regions that have reported cases are Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central, Eastern, Western, Volta, Northern, North East, Upper East, and Upper West regions.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Stop misbehaving Adom-Otchere tells Zanetor

    Television broadcaster Paul Adom-Otchere says Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the Klottey-Korley legislator, should “stop misbehaving”.

    According to him, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, should have called the minister in charge of Gender and Social Protection, Cynthia Mamle Morrison, before waging into unsubstantiated allegations over the distribution of food to Kayayei within her constituency.

    “Let it get into your system Dr Rawlings, you come from a privileged home…behave properly, stop misbehaving,” angry Paul Adom-Otchere said on his TV show, Good Evening Ghana.

    Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings had issued a statement responding to the Gender and Social Protection Minister, Cynthia Mamle Morrison, over the distribution of food for the vulnerable with her constituency.

    She pointed it out that there has been some discrimination in the distribution of food within her constituency. Such reports had been widely reported in the media and on social media.

    She sighted a GhanaWeb report whereby a lady was denied food because she could not produce an NPP card.

    “The NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Mr. John Dumelo had to locate the said lady and make donations to her following that report,” she said.

    In her comments, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings also said that her colleague MP in the Ablekuma South Constituency, Dr Oko Vanderpuije had to also go public about how food intended for the poor was being distributed in NPP vehicles under the direct supervision of the NPP candidate for that constituency.

    “Dr Oko Vanderpuije before speaking to the press about the unfortunate development had called Mrs Cynthia Mamle Morrison on phone to bring the matter to her notice and to register his protest,” the Klottey Korley MP added.

    In responding to the comments of Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings which was a response to the Gender and Social Protection Minister, Adom-Otchere stated that she, Zanetor, should have learnt something basic from her colleague MP Dr Oko Vanderpuije, who she herself said had called the minister before addressing the media on the matter.

    Paul explained that if Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings had read through her prepared comments for the second time before addressing the media, she would have behaved in a manner worthy of a parliamentarian.

    “Oko Vanderpuije spoke to the minister before he spoke to the press, did you do any such thing in your Klottey-Korley constituency?” the TV broadcaster quizzed.

    “…Are you learning something that as an honourable member of parliament, before you speak to the press, you must confront the allegation with the authority…you confront the allegation because you have position…you have power, you have an influence…you are an elected member of parliament, you ought to be listened to by the authorities,” Adom-Otchere said.

    The worse part of the Klottey-Korley MP’s address to the media, for Adom-Otchere, was where the MP, in her statement sighted social media as evidence for the basis of public comments over the distribution of food in the locked-down areas.

    “Honourable Member of Parliament, ex-officio member of the assembly, Honourable Dr Zanetor Rawlings, your evidence and basis for making an allegation against your opposing political party is social media…Whaaaat! Why did she even issue this statement…who told you to issue this statement…Please whoever advised you has done you a lot of harm…herh…,” awed Paul Adom-Otchere stated.

    Paul Adom-Otchere then advised the daughter of JJ Rawlings to take politics of Ghana and her constituency very seriously and learn from her parents on how they conducted themselves when they were leading the country.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Potential coronavirus vaccines being tested for safety Prof Alex Dodoo

    Clinical pharmacologist and a professor at the Centre for Tropical Clinical Pharmacology, Prof Alex Dodoo, has revealed that there has been significant progress in the quest for a vaccine for the coronavirus.

    Prof Dodoo, who is also Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), said there are indeed vaccines that are being evaluated for safety before they are given the green light.

    “There are at least eight candidate vaccines that are being evaluated. One at least has started in human trials. The issue is that you want to be sure that they are safe,” he said Thursday evening on the business edition of PM Express.

    He said the complexity of the safety evaluation is a significant contributor to delays in getting an approved vaccine.

    “Within the next three weeks, we [scientific community] should be able to conclusively say which ones will go further better,” he revealed.

     

    Uncertainty

    There is uncertainty in the scientific community about when a vaccine will be available to defeat the virus.

    There is also the question about the affordability and accessibility of the accepted vaccine.

    Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Anthony Fauci, recently said that a vaccine for the virus could take 12 to 18 months to develop, test and approve for public use as new vaccines typically take years to earn approval.

    However, there are indications that Covid-19 patients who have been getting an experimental drug called remdesivir have been recovering quickly, with most going home in days.

    According to a news report on Thursday that was attributed to STAT News, patients taking part in a clinical trial of the drug have all had severe respiratory symptoms and fever but were able to leave the hospital after less than a week of treatment.

    Whether a vaccine will soon be approved for use in the next three weeks or in 2021, Prof Dodoo said on PM Express on Thursday that an important consideration that the scientific community will have to make will be between the benefit of that vaccine versus its associated risks.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Weija-Gbawe residents complying with COVID-19 protocols MCE

    Mr Patrick K. B. Kumor, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Weija-Gbawe said, residents in the Municipality are cooperative and complying with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic protocols.

    He said though there were some recalcitrant ones, who violated some of the directives, the majority of them adhered to the safety protocols.

    Mr Kumor said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Thursday.

    He said the cooperation of the residents was due to earlier sensitization programmes by the Municipal Assembly on COVID-19 even before the announcement of the lockdown by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    The MCE noted that the sensitisation exercise which was carried on by the assembly was one of the comprehensive exercises carried out to educate the citizenry on the prevention of the spread of the virus and to ensure that the precautionary measures were adhered to.

    He mentioned that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development supported the assembly with some Veronica buckets, Hand sanitizers, Tissue roll and Liquid soap to complement their effort in the fight against the pandemic.

    Mr Kumor said these items received from the ministry were distributed among some health Centers, markets, lorry stations, Chief’s palace and other public places.

    He said the assembly received 2,000 packs of meals daily through the government intervention of helping the vulnerable during this hard time, adding that the food was being shared by officials of the National Disaster Management Organization and some religious bodies in the municipality.

    “We are also helped by an NGO with another 1,000 packs of food to support the government’s effort”.

    The MCE mentioned that the National Food Buffer Stock through the government would also supply the assembly with raw food items to be distributed among the vulnerable households.

    He said per the announcement of the absorption of water and electricity by the President, the assembly put in place a task force to ensure that residents did not misuse the opportunity.

    My Kumor also mentioned the arrest of some recalcitrant people by the joint police and military patrols, who were in cells, with their statements taken for due process.

    He called on the residents to stay at home, ensure precautionary measures of frequent hand washing and sanitizing and observation of social distancing protocols.

    Source: GNA

  • GHANBATT 86 donates to two communities

    The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Ghana Battalion 86 (GHANBATT), in collaboration with the UNIFIL Civil Affairs Unit, has donated to the Ayta Ash Shaab Social Development Center and Beit Leif Community Clinic in Lebanon.

    The donation, meant to support the communities in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 and support children with essential medication, included 20 boxes of assorted paediatric medications, 40 litres of disinfectants and 40 litres of liquid soap.

    According to a statement signed and copied to the Ghana News Agency by Captain Nathanael Asamoah, the Public Information Officer, UNIFIL GHANBATT 86, the donation was made at a short ceremony held at the GHANBATT Headquarters in Al-Quozah by its Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Abass Atuluk.

    Mr Mohammed Homayed, the Mayor of Beit Leif, and Dr Siham Droubi, the Director of Ayta Ash Shaab Social Development Center, who received the items on behalf of the communities expressed gratitude to GHANBATT for the gesture, especially in the critical time of COVID-19 pandemic, the statement said.

    The statement explained that the paediatric medications were donated by Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Limited and Ernest Chemist Limited to the battalion before their deployment from Ghana.

    Other donors were M&G Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Danadams Pharmacy, and Pharmanova Company Limited.

    During the initial outbreak in February, GHANBATT refurbished an ambulance for the Marwahin community also in Lebanon, which would come in handy in the fight against the spread of COVID-19, the statement added.

    Source: GNA

  • GES to fumigate over 400 schools

    The Ghana Education Service (GES) is working in collaboration with Zoomlion Ghana Limited to fumigate second-cycle educational institutions in the country.

    More than 400 schools, including the Special Schools, across the country, have been targeted for fumigation in order to disinfect the facilities of harmful bacteria.

    The exercise would see administration blocks, classrooms, dormitories, staff bungalows and the campuses of those schools being cleansed thoroughly for the safety of students and staff, according to the Zoomlion Ghana Limited.

    Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company, in a speech read on his behalf at a press briefing in Kumasi, said the exercise would commence in the Ashanti Region effective Friday, April 17.

    A total of 134 public and 53 private Senior High Schools (SHSs), as well as three Special Schools in the Region would be fumigated over a ten-day period.

    Dr. Agyepong indicated that the Company was liaising with the Ministry of Education to ensure a successful exercise, saying formal notification had been served Management of the beneficiary schools for their cooperation.

    Given the enormity of the project, he said, some companies, including Desert Lion International Ghana, manufacturers of agro and insecticide-related products, had been brought on board.

    Mr. Simon Osei-Mensah, the Regional Minister, said the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) had taken some precautionary measures to help protect the citizenry in the wake of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

    “We have disinfected the markets, lorry terminals, a drainage system and Kumasi Central Business District (CBD) over the last month,” he noted.

    The Regional Minister asked the media to partner the government effectively in order to create the needed awareness on the pandemic.

    Source: GNA