TIG Post

Tag: coronavirus in Ghana

  • Coronavirus: We’re using ‘supportive treatment’ to treat patients – Dr. Nsiah-Asare

    Former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service and Special Advisor to the President on health, Dr. Nsiah-Asare has disclosed that they are using ‘Supportive Treatment’ to treat COVID-19 patients.

    Speaking on Okay FM’s ‘Ade Akye Abia’ program, he explained that drugs like Hydroxychloroquine, paracetamol, antibiotics and other drugs that will boost and enhance the immune system are being used to treat patients.

    “And it works very well for those without any underlying health conditions. That is why we have been asking Ghanaians to obey the government directives to social distance and stay at home,” he said.

    He said there are various clinical vaccine trials ongoing to fight the COVID-19, but in the meantime, those drugs have not been approved yet.

    The number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in Ghana now stands at 641, according to the latest update by the Ghana Health Service on Wednesday, April 15, 2020.

    Read the full statement as issued on the GHS website below:

    SITUATION UPDATE, COVID-19 OUTBREAK IN GHANA AS AT 15 APRIL 2020, 22:55 HRS

    Two weeks since the institution of enhanced surveillance, restriction of movement and continuous public education to prevent the spread of cases of COVID-19, several cases have been recorded

    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 is 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 categorized 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.

    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 travelers 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.

    Regional Breakdown

    Greater Accra 514

    Ashanti 53

    Eastern 41

    Northern 10

    Volta 9

    Upper West 7

    Upper East 4

    North East 1

    Western 1

    Central 1

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Hospital staff in quarantine, 85 contacts traced in Hohoe

    About 40 hospital staff of the Hohoe Municipal Hospital in the Volta region have been quarantined with 85 contacts traced after the Hospital recorded two positive cases of the novel Coronavirus disease.

    The two positive cases are a 22-year-old woman who returned to Hohoe from Ashaiman and a 32-year-old man who returned from Tema to Hohoe.

    Dr. Pius Mensah, Medical Superintendent of the Hohoe Municipal Hospital and the Acting Hohoe Municipal Director of Health Services, told the media the two patients were clinically stable and responding to treatment.

    He said the woman, who was pregnant, was delivered of her child through Caesarean Section (CS) and as a result came into contact with about 40 health staff of the hospital before she was diagnosed of the disease.

    Dr. Mensah said all the 40 health staff were being quarantined, adding that the baby was in good condition and samples were yet to be taken for laboratory test.

    The Medical Superintendent also said contact tracers were in touch with 85 people suspected to have come into contact with the two recorded cases while more people were expected to be traced.

    Source: GNA

  • Eyes on the Ground: Contact tracing underway in Newtown

    More than 20 people identified to have come into contact with some confirmed Coronavirus patients have begun a 14-day quarantine at the Airport view hotel.

    The people were picked up at Newtown by some health workers and military officers involved in the contact tracing exercise on Wednesday and Thursday.

    According to the officers who spoke to GhanaWeb off-camera, they picked up 15 persons on Wednesday, 15th April 2020.

    Majority of these persons refused to cooperate with the officers and had to be forcefully taken to the Ayawaso North municipal health directorate where their samples were taken before being sent to the hotel.

    As at 12noon on Thursday, April 16, the contact tracers had picked up 7 more persons in the community.

    When GhanaWeb got to the health directorate, an old woman believed to be in her 60s and two young persons were waiting for an ambulance to transport them to the Airport view hotel after their samples had been taken by health workers.

    The team followed the ambulance to the hotel but couldn’t go beyond since it is now an isolation centre.

    The contact tracers appealed to the general public to cooperate with them when the need arises for them to be sent into quarantine as the exercise is not meant to cause them harm.

    The officers are still carrying out contact tracing in the community and hope to identify more people by close of the day.

    Contact tracing is taking place across the country to help identify persons who might have contracted the virus through contacts with confirmed patients.

    This is part of measures to curb the spread of the pandemic in the country.

    Ghana has so far recorded 641 Coronavirus cases with 83 recoveries and 8 deaths.

    Majority of the patients, according to the Ghana Health Service, do not have any history of travel.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Obey lockdown directive – Recovered coronavirus patient

    A patient who has recovered from Coronavirus (COVID-19), Fred Kwaku Drah, has urged the public to adhere to the partial lockdown measures by the government to contain the viral infection in the country.

    Mr. Drah who was diagnosed on March 17, after showing symptoms of the infection said it is better to stay home than to get infected with the virus.

    Recounting his experience at a press briefing in Accra on April 16, Mr. Drah, who is married with four children said the infection is real.

    “I started having sore throat and my wife bought me some medicine but I started feeling feverish afterwards so, I went to Tema Polyclinic where they conducted series of tests which were all negative but my temperature was above 37, ” he said.

    He indicated that he was asked to go home but got a call the following day and an ambulance was dispatched to his location.

    “I have never sat in an ambulance before so I was scared. The ambulance drove me to the Ga East District Hospital, ” he narrated.

    Mr. Drah said being the first patient to be admitted at the hospital after his status was confirmed, he was uncertain of what would become of his life.

    “It was a moment of sadness when I entered my isolation room,” he says.

    “I thought I was going to die but the doctors gave me very good supportive care,” he said.

    “I was not able to see my family for the period I was receiving treatment, ” he added.

    Mr. Drah thus reiterated the importance of staying at home as the spread of the virus is aided by human movement.

    “I want to urge everyone to stay home because coronavirus is real and you may not be lucky as I have been, ” he said.

    Ghana has recorded over 640 cases of Covid-19 with eight deaths.

    Eighty-three people have recovered from the disease with 17 more awaiting confirmation of their recovery

     

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Coronavirus: Government will consider 3 factors to extend or call-off lockdown Information Minister

    The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has outlined some factors that will inform President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo whether or not to extend the lockdown.

    The President last week after an assessment of the initial two-week lockdown aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19 extended it by a week.

    According to the President, some expected 15,000 test results will determine his next line of action. He further stated that the decisions will be taken based on the science of the situation.

    Explaining some factors that will inform the next line of action in a radio interview, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said the first will be the number of positive cases recorded from the enhanced surveillance.

    He said the president will also rely on information on how many positive cases are being recorded outside the epicenters of Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi and also consider the socio-economic impact of the lockdown on the people.

    Additionally, the security situation in the country will also be assessed before any decision on lockdown extension will be made.

    Meanwhile, the number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in Ghana now stands at 641, according to the latest update by the Ghana Health Service on Wednesday, April 15, 2020.

    However, 83 infected persons have recovered from the novel Coronavirus in Ghana.

     

    Source: gbcghanaonline.com

  • We are using ‘supportive treatment’ for patients – Dr. Nsiah-Asare

    Former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service and Special Advisor to the President on health, Dr. Nsiah-Asare has disclosed that they are using ‘supportive treatment’ to treat COVID-19 patients.

    Speaking on Okay FM’s ‘Ade Akye Abia’ program, he explained that drugs like Hydroxychloroquine, paracetamol, antibiotics and other drugs that will boost and enhance the immune system are being used to treat patients.

    “And it works very well for those without any underlying health conditions. That is why we have been asking Ghanaians to obey the government directives to social distance and stay at home,” he said.

    He said there are various clinical vaccine trials ongoing to fight the COVID-19, but in the meantime those drugs have not been approved yet.

    The number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in Ghana now stands at 641, according to the latest update by the Ghana Health Service on Wednesday, April 15, 2020.

    Read the full statement as issued on the GHS website below:

    SITUATION UPDATE, COVID-19 OUTBREAK IN GHANA AS AT 15 APRIL 2020, 22:55 HRS

    Two weeks since the institution of enhanced surveillance, restriction of movement and continuous public education to prevent the spread of cases of COVID-19, several cases have been recorded

    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 is 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 categorized 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.

    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 travelers 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.

    Regional Breakdown

    Greater Accra 514

    Ashanti 53

    Eastern 41

    Northern 10

    Volta 9

    Upper West 7

    Upper East 4

    North East 1

    Western 1

    Central 1

     

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Electricity reliefs to cost government GH¢1bn Amewu

    Energy Minister, John Peter Amewu, has disclosed government will provide about GH¢1 billion in electricity reliefs covering about 4.8 million metres across Ghana.

    This follows an electricity relief package announced by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on April 9, 2020 to cushion Ghanaians amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    According to the minister, the reliefs for Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) customers sum up to GH¢244 million per month and GH¢732m for all three months starting from April, May and June.

    “Overall government is providing an accumulative relief of an amount equivalent to GH¢1 billion approximately covering a population of about 4.8 million metres across Ghana for the three months period commencing from April, May and June.”

    Meanwhile, under the package announced by the President, customers who consume more than 50 kilowatts per hour will have 50 percent of their bills absorbed by the government within the same period using their March 2020 electricity consumption as the benchmark.

    Currently, about 86% of Ghanaians have access to the national grid and will benefit from the electricity reliefs granted government in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus is not a death sentence’, people have fully recovered – Oppong Nkrumah

    Coronavirus is not a “death sentence”, Minister of Information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has sought to demystify misconceptions about the virus.

    Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Thursday, April 16, 2020, Hon. Oppong Nkrumah feared that the stigma and misconceptions associated with the COVID-19 by some Ghanaians could have dire consequences on the efforts by government to curtail the transmission of the virus from individuals and at the community level.

    Ghana’s COVID-19 case count currently stands at 641 out of 50,719 samples collected and tested for coronavirus (COVID-19).

    This is part of government’s enhanced measures aimed at fighting the novel COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

    The threat of Coronavirus, otherwise called COVID-19, has instilled fear in people and as a result victims of the virus infection are sometimes looked down on by some suspcious Ghanaians.

    Kojo Oppong Nkrumah explained that the virus can be treated by health professionals as eighty-three (83) people have already fully recovered and been discharged from the various health facilities to join their families, and 17 more have also tested negative on first testing and awaiting their second test to ensure they also have fully recovered.

    He was worried that the morbid fear associated with the virus may potentially result in people with infections or exposed through contact with infected persons going into hiding.

    In an attempt to allay the fears, the Information Minister stated emphatically that “this disease is not a death sentence. Unfortunately, we have had eight (8) persons who had underlying conditions who have passed on but it’s not a death sentence. People can be assisted with treatment and can recover”.

     

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • National best youth farmer schools colleague farmers on COVID-19

    The current national best youth farmer of Ghana, Mr Gustav Owiredu has called on farmers at Anum Apapam in the Ayensuano district in the Eastern region and its adjoining communities, to be wary of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    He said the pandemic was real and has no respect for anyone so they should therefore disabuse their minds from claims that the corona virus causing the pandemic does not exist.

    He made the call while educating selected farmers on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at Anum Apapam on precautionary measures to avoid the spread of the virus.

    He told the farmers that the pandemic was having devastating effects on countries globally, which have brought anguish moments for governments and families.

    Mr Owiredu who was adjudged the best youth farmer in Tamale in the Northern region last year, said farmers played important roles in the development of every country hence their health concerns must be taken seriously by all stakeholders.

    He urged the farmers to educate their colleagues on the need to abide by the protocols against the spread of the coronavirus.

    He mentioned some of the protocols as washing of hands with soap under running water, social distancing, avoiding handshakes and the use of hand sanitizers.

    Mr Owiredu who distributed hand sanitisers to the farmers, advised traders at the Anum Apapam market to practice the social distancing protocols in order to contain the pandemic.

    Careless youth
    He was not happy that some young people particularly males throng drinking bars with impunity and also engaged in sporting activities.

    “We are not in normal times so let us not do things that will result in unfortunate happenings to our great country and families”, he added.

    Mr Owiredu commended the Ayensuano District Assembly for the measures put in place to fight the pandemic.

    He however, appealed to the National Commission of Civic Education (NCCE) to intensify its educational campaign in the rural areas.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Time to employ ‘idle’ doctors, other health workers Mahama

    Former President John Mahama has said it is time for the government to employ all doctors and other health workers have are jobless to help with the fight against the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

    Speaking at a ceremony to present food items to some twenty thousand households in locked-down areas such as Accra, Kumasi, Tema and Kasoa, Mr Mahama said: “This might also be the time for government to employ more doctors and other health workers-in-waiting who have been idling at home, some for many years”.

    “This might become necessary as many health workers who suspect they may have been exposed to the virus have begun to self-isolate in order not to further spread the disease”, he explained.

    Just recently, twhe Coalition of Graduate Unemployed Allied Health professionals (COAHP) withdrew the services of its members from the nationwide COVID-19 contact-tracing and testing exercise from eApril 13, 2020.

    The withdrawal of services followed a threat the coalition issued to that effect last week if they were not given permanent employment by the government.

    The coalition, which had 1,855 of its 3,797 members volunteering for the exercise, feels its members have been discriminated against by the government as far as the recruitment of the 2017 batch of health workers is concerned.

    Members of the group do not understand why nurses and midwives were recruited and Allied Health Professionals excluded.

    The group, in a statement, expressed its unhappiness about the “neglect and unfair treatment” being meted out to them.

    “The leadership of the Coalition of Graduate Unemployed Allied Health Professionals (COAHP 2017 and 2018 batch, wishes to inform the general public that, effective 13th April 2020, all members who volunteered to do contact tracing, sample taking and testing nationwide have withdrawn their services in the COVID-19 teams.

    “Follow-ups were done to this effect and the Ministry of Health promised us that, latest by March, our financial clearance will be granted, we thereby could not fathom why only that of nurses was granted leaving out Allied Health Professionals”, the statement said.

    The group warned that contact-tracing, sample-taking, testing and all public health activities are “strictly the work of certified Allied Health Professionals.”

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Zoomlion disinfects Pentecost University, others to contain COVID-19

    Waste Management Company, Zoomlion Ghana Limited has begun massive free disinfection of some private institutions to help contain the spread of the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Pentecost University and the Central University campuses benefited from a free disinfection of their lecture halls, offices, auditoriums, compounds, hostels, and frequently touched facilities among others to keep the university environment safe and help minimize the spread of the COVID-19.

    The nationwide disinfection of public and private institutions which is worth over GH¢1 million forms part of Zoomlion’s commitment towards helping government contain and eliminate the corona virus.

    The company following the successful disinfection exercise of markets across the country started a free disinfection of public and private institutions.

    Institutions such as the University of Ghana, University of Professional Studies, Dzorwulu Special Schools, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and Mampong School for the Blind have all benefited from the free disinfection of their institutions.

    The communications officer of Zoomlion Ghana Limited and spokesperson for the disinfection exercise, Mr. James Deku in an interview, stated that Zoomlion was supporting the fight against COVID-19 with free disinfection of institutions across the country.

    He said disinfection logistics such as Aptomizer Boom spraying machine, Knapsack spraying machines, hand-held thermal fogger machine, Phoenix fogger machine, mechanized road spraying vehicles among others which are being used in countries that have contained the spread of the virus have been deployed by the company to help contain and subsequently eliminate the virus.

    Mr. Deku indicated that Zoomlion Ghana Limited has the capacity and is determined to disinfect institutions that will call on it to disinfect and fumigate their premises and facilities.

    He urged the public to observe all the safety measures as it will compliment efforts Zoomlion and government is putting in place to contain and eliminate the coronavirus.

    The Rector of the Pentecost University, Apostle Dr. Daniel Walker expressed gratitude to Zoomlion and Citi TV, which partnered Zoomlion, for their partnership to disinfect public tertiary institutions.

    He said the novel coronavirus is still being understudied by scientists and it is very important people stay at home and observe all safety protocols.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Ghana tests 50,719 samples for coronavirus

    Ghana has so far tested 50,719 samples for coronavirus (COVID-19).

    This is part of government’s enhanced measures aimed at fighting the novel COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

    The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah gave the update at a media briefing in Accra today [Thursday, April 16, 2020.]

    He said government has adopted three types of testing mechanisms —normal surveillance testing, mandatory quarantine, and enhanced contact tracing and testing.

    He explained that under the normal surveillance testing, 13,838 people have been tested with 268 out of the number testing positive.

    Mr Oppong Nkrumah said for the 34,859 people who have been tested under the enhanced contact tracing and testing, 258 out of the number tested positive.

    He said so far, 2011 people have been tested at the Kotoka International Airport with 105 testing positive while 10 out of the 11 people tested at the Tamale Airport tested positive.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Ghana’s coronavirus situation not ‘dramatic’ – Sam Okudzeto

    A member of the Council of State, Mr Sam Okudzeto, has said the Electoral Commission can start registering Ghanaians for the new voter ID card in parts of the country that are not under lockdown in light of the coronavirus situation in Ghana.

    So far, eight people have succumbed to the disease out of the six hundred and thirty-six confirmed cases.

    President Nana Akufo-Addo has locked down parts of the country as part of measures to mitigate the spread of the virus.

    He has also banned all social gatherings and activities which require massing up at one place.

    In light of the coronavirus situation, the EC has also suspended, indefinitely, its registration exercise, which it had scheduled to start on April 18, 2020.

    However, Mr Okudzeto, a former President of the Ghana Bar Association, told Accra-based Citi FM in an interview that: “Our case of the coronavirus is not as dramatic as it is in many countries, which means that we only have few pockets in the two big municipalities and few of the smaller ones.

    “So, since the lockdown is not the whole of Ghana, the EC should start the registration in areas where there is no lockdown”.

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Ghana will not go into economic recession – IMF

    The International Monetary Fund, IMF has projected that Ghana will not go into an economic recession later this year due to Covid-19 pandemic.

    Some developmental partners of Ghana including the World Bank have warned that the country could go into an economic recession due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

    IMF Country Director for Ghana, Dr Albert Touna Mama in a radio interview monitored by primenewsghana said their projection is for Ghana to grow at 1.5% this year.

    “…our projections at this stage for Ghana, is for Ghana to grow at a rate of 1.5% in 2020. Let me point out to the fact that the outlook literally for the countries in the world is quite uncertain just equals the nature of the coronavirus pandemic and the uncertainty related to the measures and the duration of the crisis.

    Dr Albert Touna Mama explained that the measures put in place to help the pandemic will continue to have a damaging effect as long as their still in place.

    “These measures are put in place exactly to the problem at hand so the longer these measures are in place the more damaging it will be to economic activities.”

    He stated that in the case of Ghana, their projections show that the country will not go into an economic recession.

    “But for the case of Ghana let’s say positive factors this year…the rebounding price of gold that seems crucial, the shock on oil price and the price of cocoa. At this moment our projection is that Ghana will not go into recession.”

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • US$8 trillion spent on Coronavirus pandemic IMF

    So far, US$8 trillion has been used by countries to fight the COVID-19 pandemic with G20 countries taking the lead.

    According to the International Monetary Fund Fiscal Monitor, Italy, followed by Germany, the United Kingdom and France, have spent more than any other country in the world.

    Emergency lifelines provided globally include higher spending and foregone revenues (US$3.3 trillion), public sector loans and equity injections (US$1.8 trillion), and guarantees (US$2.7 trillion).

    The Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies are at the forefront with actions totalling US$7 trillion. Fiscal support is also provided by automatic stabilizers—features of the tax and benefit system that stabilize incomes and consumption, such as progressive taxation and unemployment benefits.

    It said COVID-19 and its economic impact will increase fiscal deficits and public debt ratios across countries given higher spending and plunging revenues.

    The Fiscal Monitor shows how policymakers can offer emergency lifelines to: save lives; protect people from losing jobs and incomes, and companies from bankruptcies; and enable a recovery.

    Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva in a G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting today said “And we will need to step up even more. As you know, we project a deep recession in 2020 and only a partial recovery in 2021. To help countries steer through the depth of the recession and support their recovery, we are prepared to use our full toolbox and $ 1 trillion firepower, mindful of the need to use programs wisely and strengthen good governance.”

    “Second, to assist our low-income countries, we plan to triple our concessional lending. We are therefore urgently seeking US$18 billion in new loan resources for the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust, and will also likely need at least US$1.8 billion in subsidy resources. We will also explore whether the use of SDRs could be helpful in this context”, she said.

    “Third, we will concentrate both lending and policy support to reduce the scarring of the economy caused by bankruptcies and unemployment, in order to support a speedy recovery. And, with many economies continuing to face capital outflows and high debt, we are ready to work closely with other international institutions and fora, as well as private stakeholders, to help our members steer through this crisis and come out of it more resilient,” she added.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Free electricity to cost Ghana ¢1bn in 3 months Energy Minister

    Government is spending a whopping 1 billion cedis on the electricity relief package announced by President Nana Akufo-Addo to cushion Ghanaians for the next three months amid the deadly coronavirus outbreak in the country.

    The amount will a total of 4.8 million electricity meters across the country, Energy Minister John Peter Amewu announced Thursday

    More soon

     

    Source: 3News.com 

  • Grand Master of Freemasons orders members to release cash to support Ghana’s coronavirus

    The Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of Ghana E.C., R.W. Bro. Isaac Owulaku Hood has issued a “Masonic call to Alms” to all his brethren to support the fight against Covid-19.

    In a release dated 10th April 2020, the masons have elected to resource the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in their fight against Covid-19 by channelling resources to them.

    The Grand Master noted that there has been “ready and generous responses” from the masons since the appeal and it is likely they will exceed the target they set for themselves. He urged all the Lodges in the District (Ghana) to embark on their own special appeal to be completed before 20th April.

    R.W Bro Isaac Owulaku Hood noted that the names of some masons of “doubtless rank and fortune” are prominently and conspicuously missing from the contributors. “Needless therefore to state I look forward most expectantly to their contributions shortly,” he wrote.

    Read the letter below:

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Global economy expected to shrink sharply due to coronavirus, WEO says

    The global economy is expected to shrink sharply by three percent in 2020 because of the Coronavirus pandemic, according to the World Economic Outlook for April.

    In its release copied to the Ghana News Agency, it said this contraction would be much worse than during the 2008-09 financial downturn.

    In a baseline scenario that assumes that the pandemic fades in the second quarter of the year and containment efforts can be gradually unwound, the global economy is projected to grow by 5.8 percent in 2021, as economic activity normalises, helped by policy support.

    The statement said effective policies are essential to forestall the possibility of worse outcomes and the necessary measures to reduce contagion and protect lives are important investments in long-term human and economic health.

    It said since the economic fallout would be acute in specific sectors, policymakers would need to implement substantial targeted fiscal, monetary and financial market measures to support affected households and businesses domestically.

    It added that strong multilateral cooperation was essential to overcome the effects of the pandemic internationally including helping financially constrained countries facing twin health and funding shocks and for channeling aid to countries with weak health care systems.

    Meanwhile, the IMF has described the global decline as the worst since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

    It said the pandemic had plunged the world into a “crisis like no other”.

    The Fund added that a prolonged outbreak would test the ability of governments and central banks to control the crisis.

    Gita Gopinath, the IMF’s Chief Economist, said the crisis could knock $9 trillion off global GDP over the next two years.

    While the Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook praised the “swift and sizeable” response in countries like the UK, Germany, Japan and the US, it said no country would escape the downturn.

    It expects global growth to rebound to 5.8% next year if the pandemic fades in the second half of 2020.

    Source: GNA

  • Nigeriens with coronavirus moved to Police Hospital after detention

    The two Nigeriens who were tested positive and detained at the Accra Central Police station have been moved to the Police Hospital.

    Citi News sources indicated that health personnel from the police hospital took over the case after some intervention from Nigerien authorities in Ghana.

    The two Nigeriens caused a stir when they refused to undergo care at the Ga East Municipal Hospital on Monday and attempted to leave the facility without authorisation.

    The two also reportedly threatened staff with a sharp object saying that they will not stay at the facility.

    They were arrested on April 5, 2020, in Accra when a taxi they were in was stopped by police enforcing the partial lockdown.

    The two could not give tangible reasons for their movement, sparking suspicion and their arrest.

    Further investigations by police led to a medical test on them at the Ridge Hospital and the positive test result for the virus came back on April 13, 2020.

    The Ashanti Regional Immigration Command also had some encounters with 20 Nigeriens who were eventually repatriated.

    These 20 were arrested at Juaso in the Asante Akim South District on March 17.

    Also, eight Guineans and two Burkinanbes who entered Ghana illegally tested positive for the virus and are also set to repatriated.

    Notably, one of the eight Guineans who tested positive for the novel coronavirus escaped from the facility in which they were being quarantined in Tamale but was later arrested.

    A total of 641 novel coronavirus cases have been recorded in Ghana with eight deaths and 83 recoveries.

    The Greater Accra Region has the most number of cases with 514; the Ashanti Region has 53; Eastern Region, 41; Northern Region, 10; Volta Region, nine; Upper West Region, seven; Upper East Region, four; North East Region, one; Western Region, one and the Central Region with one.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Internet cost: Government, telcos must work to cushion Ghanaians Mahama

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Mahama has urged the government and telecommunication companies to urgently work towards easing the internet challenges of consumers amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    The pandemic has led to a partial lockdown of Accra, Kasoa, Kumasi and Tema as well as the closure of schools and bans on public gatherings.

    A lot of schools have tried to move classes online whilst a number of professionals have taken to working from home to ensure social distancing.

    Speaking on the matter after announcing the donation of food items to some 20,000 households, Mr. Mahama argued that some relief on internet expenditure was in order.

    “This has drastically increased their expenditure on internet usage to the extent to the extent that some can no longer cope. Indeed there are reports of several students being unable to complete online lectures because their data run out. Several people are also working from home.”

    As a solution, Mr. Mahama urged government to assure the telcos of a free six months extension of licenses to motivate them to reduce the cost of internet.

    “This value can be applied to cushion consumers during this three-month period,” he noted

    He suggested that telcos can also be compensated with funds from the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC), “which already has the mandate to ensure universal access to telecommunication.”

    “Furthermore, the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) should leverage its robust broadband infrastructure…to meet the increased demand for wireless and fixed broadband in these COVID-19 times.”

    Mr. Mahama further reiterated calls for the removal of the 50 percent increase in the Communications Service Tax which he said: “will provide further relief for the many who are having to work or stay at home at this time.”

    So far, the government has provided extra spectrum to Vodafone and MTN Ghana so as to improve data quality.

    Some citizens have made calls for a reduction in data costs.  But commenting on the matter in March, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN argued that reducing the cost of data to boost communication amidst the pandemic, could increase traffic that will affect internet speed.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • CAL Bank moderates stock market and dominates trade

    The benchmark index moderated by 1.2 points (-0.06%) due to CAL Bank (-2.44%) to begin the week at 2,134.04 with a -5.45% year-to-date return while market capitalization decreased by 0.02% to settle at GH¢ 55.55 billion.

    Accordingly, the GSE Financial Index declined marginally by 2.23 points (-0.12%) to close at 1,877.78 with a year-to-date return of -7.02% while the SAS Manufacturing Index remained unchanged at 3,203.29 with a -7.99% year-to-date.

    Trading activity weakened as 3,783 shares valued at GH¢ 3,728 changed hands from 111,200 shares valued at GH¢8,084 at the previous session. CAL Bank dominated trades by volume and value, accounting for 92.52% of the total volume traded and 75.11% of the total value traded.

    We expect trading activity to pick up as investors take advantage of bargain stocks.

    Source: SAS Ghana

  • Coronavirus: Mahama advocates for use of herbal medicines

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has made a strong case for traditional and herbal medicines as he has advocated for it to be used in treating COVID-19.

    Mr. Mahama made the call on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, when he donated food items to some 20,000 households in areas affected by the partial lockdown.

    “It is time to explore the role of alternative medicine and traditional remedies in the fight against the Coronavirus. Some traditional medicines are known to boost the immune system and can help both in the prevention of people succumbing to the disease and also play a role a palliative function in the management of persons suffering from COVID-19,” he said.

    He called for a collective approach towards the contact tracing and surveillance.

    “I wish on this note to reiterate my call for a broader participation of traditional leaders, heads of faith-based organizations, Assemblymen and women and local CSOs in the efforts at contact tracing, surveillance and public education in respect of the COVID-19 disease”.

    In this regard, I call on the President to urgently meet with the National House of Chiefs and solicit the support of our chiefs in this regard. This is also important considering the reported resistance communities are putting up against the use of facilities in their area for setting up isolation centers.

    “My brothers and sisters, the worrying trend of the increase in confirmed cases of Coronavirus infections 566 as at yesterday calls for a dedicated commitment by us all towards supporting the fight against the infections”.

    “The latest extension of the lockdown period is accordingly appropriate. We must help our security personnel to enforce the directives and ensure that movement during this period is minimized in order to stop the spread of the virus”.

    Considering the new cases being discovered, it is clear that we are entering a new phase where there is the beginning of a horizontal spread of the disease. This requires us to redouble our efforts in the battle against the pandemic.

    In his view, more testing centres need to be set up in order to shorten the waiting time for results. This is necessary so that appropriate models of the expected trajectory of the disease can be developed in order to guide any decisions on easing the restriction of movement of people.

    “We must set up a National COVID-19 Command Centre equipped with appropriate communication systems and bank of phone lines with volunteers keeping in touch with persons who are in quarantine, persons who are in isolation, those who are awaiting results and those suffering symptoms of the disease.”

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Coronavirus: We can only use herbal drugs if proven effective – Oko-Boye

    The Deputy Minister-designate for Health Dr. Oko-Boye has given support to the use of herbal medicines to treat coronavirus should they be approved and vetted by the appropriate authorities.

    The legislator who is being vetted today [Tuesday] told the committee “Most of the time, the issue has been the science of the herbal medicine,”

    He was responding to a question he was asked.

    According to him, science will be the determining factor in whether herbal medicine is used to treat the novel coronavirus.

    “Fortunately, or unfortunately, scientists want to stick to evidence and once your concoction is proven to be safe for use in human beings and also has efficacy, the appropriate bodies will grant the approval.”

    Mr. Mahama made the call on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, when he announced the donation of food items to some 20,000 households in areas affected by the partial lockdown.

    “It is time to explore the role of alternative medicine and traditional remedies in the fight against the Coronavirus. Some traditional medicines are known to boost the immune system and can help both in the prevention of people succumbing to the disease and also play a role a palliative function in the management of persons suffering from COVID-19,” he said.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Coronavirus: We need a national command centre – Mahama

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has called for the establishment of a national COVID-19 command centre to help manage the country’s cases.

    The centre he suggested must be equipped with appropriate communication systems and bank of phone lines with volunteers keeping in touch with persons who are in quarantine, persons who are in isolation, those who are awaiting results and those suffering symptoms of the disease.

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2020 presidential candidate noted that contact tracing is very critical in this phase of the fight against the pandemic.

    Reports that persons engaged in contact tracing are threatening to cease work are worrisome.

    “The government should immediately take steps and appropriately incentivize these people so that they can continue the critical work they are involved in. We must also watch out for the increasing stigma developing around this infection. There are reports that person who have tested positive have fled their communities because of fear and ignorance about the disease,” he added.

    He continued: “This development of suspected cases can hinder the fight against the virus, especially in the light of the CDC estimation that one infected person has the potential to infect as many as 500 other people.

    Public awareness needs to be stepped up. Messages developed in all the major local languages should be created and played extensively on all media, public and private.

    Government can utilize a clause in the NCA Act that compels media both public and private to provide airtime to air messages such as this in times of emergency. This clause proved useful during the fight against Ebola and can come in handy again at this time.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Volta Regional Minister inspects 40-bed coronavirus treatment center in Ho

    Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister Wednesday inspected a 40 bed COVID-19 Treatment Centre in Ho.

    The facility is an extension of the Ho Teaching Hospital and has nurses station from where patients will be monitored on screens.

    Other treatment centres in the Region are located at Bator in the North Tongu District, Aflao- in Ketu South Municipality and the Hohoe Municipality.

    Dr Emmanuel Kasu, Head of Public Health, Ho Teaching Hospital who conducted the Regional Minister round the facility said apart from an in-house pharmacy, the Centre had restrooms for doctors and nurses.

    He said the facility would focus on innovations and research to provide quality health care services to the citizens.

    Dr Letsa said, ” we are set and ready for COVID-19 with these isolation and treatment centres.”

    He expressed the hope that the Region would soon be ahead of the virus given the “aggressive enhanced” contact tracing ongoing.

    The Volta Region on Sunday, April 12, 2020, recorded nine cases of COVID-19.

    The cases were recorded in Ketu South, Ho and the Hohoe Municipalities.

    Authorities and stakeholders have since heightened public education and enforcement of preventive measures with enhanced surveillance at unapproved borders.

    Source: GNA

  • Nigerian pleads not guilty after flouting Restrictions Order

    A 34-year-old man, James Chukwuka who failed to comply with the Restriction Order and allegedly took the blood samples of pregnant women and some residents at Gbese in James Town to test for their sugar levels has made his second appearance in Court.

    Chukwuka who is currently being held for failing to comply with the Restriction Order pleaded not guilty.

    The Circuit Court, presided over by Mrs. Afia Owusua Appiah, remanded the accused person to reappear on April 30.

    The facts, as presented, by Chief Inspector Gulliver Tenkorang was that, the accused resides at Accra Newtown, and that on April 4, this year, at about 0900 hours, the Police had information that he was taking blood samples, checking Blood Pressure and sugar level of residents including pregnant women at the Gbese Community, near James Town in Accra.

    Chief Inspector Tenkorang said the Police proceeded to Gbese and arrested the accused, a Nigerian national who had in his possession a glucometer, thermometer, test strips, and gloves.

    He said during interrogation, the accused informed the Police that he was a distributor of food supplements but admitted he went to Gbese to take blood samples of his supposed clients.

    The prosecution said during investigations it came to light that Chukwuka did not fall within the exemption group with regards to the Imposition of Restrictions on all persons in Accra, Tema, Kasoa, and Kumasi.

    The prosecution said a pregnant woman who lives in Gbese confirmed to the Police that her blood sample was taken by the accused.

    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the President, by Executive Instrument 65 and in accordance with the provisions of the Imposition Restrictions Act 2020 (Act 1012) imposed a two-week restriction on movements in Greater Accra, Greater Kumasi, Tema and Kasoa.

    Source: GNA

  • Upper West coronavirus cases imported – Minister

    Upper West Regional Minister, Hafiz Bin Salih, says the six COVID-19 cases recorded in the region on Sunday, April 12, were all imported cases.

    He said five of those cases were people who travelled into the country about three weeks ago from South Africa, Nigeria, United Kingdom, Australia and Germany before the President announced the closure of the borders, while the sixth person travelled into the region from Western Region.

    The six new cases recorded brought the total number of confirmed cases in the region to seven with no death recorded.

    He added that the immediate contact person of the first recorded case in the region was tested negative of the virus.

    Dr Bin Salih observed that 2,731 travellers entering the region were screened, with 56 suspected cases being recorded, 14 travellers on manifest, two of the travellers quarantined and 33 samples collected so far.

    “What really is of huge challenge and concern to all of us is the discrimination and stigma attached to people suspected of having the virus,” he said.

    The Regional Minister, therefore, urged the public to consider the Coronavirus as any other disease and to desist from discriminating and stigmatizing against victims of the virus.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Minister directs Assembly to heighten surveillance along Ghana-Cote D’Ivoire borders

    Mrs Evelyn Ama Kumi- Richardson, the Bono Regional Minister has directed the Dormaa West District Assembly to heighten surveillance at communities along Ghana Cote d’Ivoire borders to stem the import of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) from neighbouring countries.

    She said 24-hour surveillance activities ought to be strengthened particularly at Yaakrom, KofiBadukrom and Frimpongkrom, communities, as the government stepped up measures to help control the local transmission of the COVID-19 in the country.

    The Regional Minister said the government had provided GHC50,000 to the District Assembly to fight the COVID-19 and the Assembly authorities were expected to do much particularly at the border towns.

    Interacting with Assembly members, security services and key staff of the Dormaa West District Assembly at Nkrankwanta on Tuesday, Mrs Kumi-Richardson assured the government was doing all things possible to contain the spread of the disease.

    But, she emphasised Ghanaian residents along the various border towns in the area had a high risk of contracting the disease and advised them to contribute their quota in ensuring new cases of COVID-19 were not imported into the country through those unapproved routes.

    Mrs Kumi-Richardson told the Assembly to ensure the seven unapproved routes identified in the district were closed down and directed the security services to beef up security presence at those routes to check the influx of irregular migrants who could spread the disease in the local communities.

    Mr Ali Maige, the Member of Parliament for Dormaa West advised the people to bury their political differences and forge ahead in unity towards the fight of the COVID-19.

    He indicated the government directives on the CPVID-19 was in the supreme interest of the nation and advised Ghanaians to comply.

    Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyei, the Dormaa West District Director of Health said 180 health officials and 25 community volunteers had been trained to help manage the spread of the disease in the area.

    He said the directorate had set aside two cubicles as isolation centers at the district hospital at Nkrankwanta to manage suspected cases of the COVID-19.

    Mrs Mary Ameyaa, the Dormaa West District Chief Executive, commended the security services and the district directorate of health for their support in helping to stem the spread of the COVID-19.

    Source: GNA

  • Shops closed in Koforidua markets to check coronavirus spread

    Shops in all major markets in Koforidua have shutdown following earlier directives from the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly last week.

    The directive, meant to compel buyers and sellers to observe social distancing within the markets, asked all non-food items traders to stop selling until further notice.

    The traders include cloths sellers, second-hand clothes dealers, jewellery and beads dealers, dressmakers, hairdressers, cosmetics and shoes sellers among others.

    A tour around the Koforidua Central Market, the Juaben Serwaa Market and the Agatha Market saw all the shops trading in clothing, shoes and hardware among others locked.

    Only stalls and shops trading in essentials and edibles could be seen open for business.

    Also, traders who sell along pedestrian lanes and streets have all been sacked from those places creating ease for all pedestrians.

    The Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben South, Ike Appaw-Gyasi, giving the directive last week, indicated that all the non-food traders were to suspend their activities starting from Sunday, April 12 to April 26, 2020, subject to review.

    The New Juaben South, according to the Regional Health Directorate recorded two suspected cases of Coronavirus which are awaiting confirmation or otherwise from the Noguchi Memorial Center.

    Until then, the NJSMA has no COVID-19 case recorded but local authorities think it would be best to put some stringent measures in place to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic in the Municipality.

    Presently, the Eastern Region has recorded a total of 32 COVID-19 cases with 31 coming from the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality while the other one case comes from the Fanteakwa North District.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Number of recovered persons up to 83

    A total of 83 infected persons have recovered from the novel Coronavirus in Ghana, according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

    The 83 were part of the 268 confirmed cases under routine surveillance.

    The total number of COVID-19 cases has risen to 641 while the number of people dead remains 8 as of Wednesday, April 15, 2020.

    “The breakdown of the 641 positive cases is as follows; 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 are categorized as moderate to severe cases, none in the critical state currently and eight have died,” the Ghana Health Service indicated on their official website.

    The GHS stated that “five new cases were recorded in the following locations; one from Adenta Municipality, two 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.”

    Meanwhile, contacts of the new cases are being listed for follow up, the health service noted.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ghanas coronavirus case count up by 5 to 641

    The number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in Ghana now stands at 641, according to the latest update by the Ghana Health Service on Wednesday, April 15, 2020.

    On Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases, according to the GHS, was 636.

    Meanwhile, 83 infected persons have recovered from the novel Coronavirus in Ghana.

    “Two weeks since the institution of enhanced surveillance, restriction of movement and continuous public education to prevent the spread of cases of COVID-19, several cases have been recorded.

    “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: 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 are categorized as moderate to severe cases, none in critical state currently and eight have died,” according to the Ghana Health Service.

    The Ghana Health Service also indicated that “the five new cases were recorded in the following locations; one from Adenta Municipality and two 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.”

    Based on the data presented, there are currently 60% males and 40% females infected with the virus.

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

    Below is the Regional breakdown

    Greater Accra 514

    Ashanti 53

    Eastern 41

    Northern 10

    Volta 9

    Upper West 7

    Upper East 4

    North East 1

    Western 1

    Central 1

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Lockdown: Orderliness returns to food distribution after implementation of new guidelines

    There is calm and orderliness at various food distribution centres to vulnerable citizens in Accra and Kumasi following the implementation of new guidelines by government.

    Following the partial lockdown of Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi, government announced a daily distribution of 400,000 hot meals to vulnerable citizens, but the exercise turned chaotic with scores of people scrambling for their share of the food.

    As the chaotic situation threatened the objective of the lockdown and social distancing, government has introduced new guidelines for the distribution of food items to ensure the safety of both distributors and receivers.

    The new guidelines require that recipients of food items and other essentials form a queue by observing social distancing. Officials from NADMO and the Municipal and District Assemblies are in charge of the distribution.

    With the required social distancing queue formed, distributors give out the food from one person to the other in a calm manner

    Today at Tema Station – one of the biggest food distribution centres in Accra – the new guidelines were implemented and it ensured an orderly and safer distribution of food to a large number of people.

    Before the food was distributed, an officer explained to the people the importance of observing social distancing, and the people showed their understanding and appreciation by applauding.

    All officials tasked with distributing government food and other essentials in the locked down areas have been cautioned to strictly abide by the new guidelines and ensure that all communities adhere to the social distancing protocols before food items are shared.

    Reports in Kumasi say various food distribution centres have also started implementing the new guidelines.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Herbal medicine welcome in Coronavirus fight – Okoe-Boye

    A Deputy Health Minister-designate, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, has stated that he will welcome the use of herbal medicine to treat Coronavirus patients if proven to be scientifically safe and efficacious.

    He said scientists want to stick to evidence and once a “concoction” is proven to be efficacious and safe for human consumption the appropriate bodies will grant the approval for use.

    He was responding to questions during his vetting on Wednesday.

    For him, the issue has been the science of the herbal medicine, and that he had received calls from people proposing various herbal remedies to fight the virus.

    “When I ask them for samples, some say it is through prayer and a special dispensation,” Dr. Okoe Boye recalled.

    “Fortunately, or unfortunately, scientists want to stick to evidence and once your concoction is proven to be safe for use in human beings and also has efficacy, the appropriate bodies will grant the approval, ” he stated.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Coronavirus: 50% removal of CST will provide relief for Ghanaians – Mahama

    Former President John Mahama has appealed to the government to withdraw the 50 percent increase in the Communication Service Tax (CST).

    He urged the government to consider voice and Internet services as an essential commodity and ensure that it was provided at a cheaper rate to consumers who had been forced to stay at home as part of measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.

    According to him, the increase in the CST by the current government from the six to nine percent had brought untold hardship on the Ghanaian telecom users and businesses amid COVID-19.

    He made this known when he announced a support package for 20,000 households within the partial lockdown areas in Accra, Kumasi, and Kasoa at his office in Accra.

    Mahama said the government could offer a free six-month extension of licenses of telecommunications whose licenses were about to expire so that the value could be applied to cushion consumers during the three months.

    “Additionally, the Telcos can also be compensated with funds from the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC), which already has the mandate to ensure universal access to telecommunication,” he said.

    He stated: “The removal of the 50 percent increase in the Communication Service Tax (CST) will provide further relief for the many who are having to work or stay at home at this time.”

    About CST

    The Communication Service Tax (CST) was introduced in 2008 at an ad valorem rate of six percent. The tax is levied on charges payable by consumers for the use of communication services.

    In 2018 the tax brought in a total of GH¢420 million, representing a 27.7 percent increase from the estimated ¢304 million accrued in 2017.

    The amount generated from the levy was 4.56 percent more than the projected ¢401.8 million in the 2018 mid-year budget.

    The telcos started charging customers the revised CST from October 1, 2019, after the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, announced an increment in the tax from six to nine percent in the Supplementary Budget.

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Regional Minister calls on private companies to support fight against coronavirus

    The Western North Regional Minister has called on private companies in the region to support the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Kinsley Aboagye Gyedu says the region needs the support of these entities to help with preparation towards a possible outbreak of the virus.

    He made the call when Chirano Gold Mines Limited presented medical supplies including Personal Protective Equipment, (PPEs) to the region, to be distributed to health facilities.

    Some of the items donated by the company include respirators, gloves, goggles, disposable gowns, cover shoes, face shields, to mention a few.

    The Western North Region is one of the few regions yet to record an infection of Coronavirus.

    Nonetheless Health facilities are being equipped with PPEs and other supplies to make them ready to handle any infection that may be recorded.

    Vice President and General Manager of Chirano Gold Mines, Ltd, Terence Watungwa, said being a major stakeholder in the region, the Mine has a responsibility to support the efforts by health facilities in the catchment area to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak.

    The Regional Minister, Kinsley Aboagye Gyedu, commended Chirano Gold Mines, saying the supplies will boost the morale of health workers in the beneficiary facilities.

    He called on other private industries in the region to lend a helping in the covid-19 fight.

    Meanwhile, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) confirmed Ghana has recorded 70 more cases of Coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases to 636.

    Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah on Monday, April 13 attributed the numbers to the aggressive approach by the government “to be ahead and go after the virus” through rigorous enhanced contact tracing “while limiting importation”.

    Source: Chirano

  • Coronavirus: We will only use herbal drugs if proven effective – Okoe-Boye

    The Deputy Minister-designate for Health Dr. Okoe-Boye says the government will give support to the use of herbal medicines to treat coronavirus should they be approved by the appropriate authorities.

    The legislator who is being vetted today [Tuesday] told the committee “Most of the time, the issue has been the science of the herbal medicine,”

    He was responding to a question on the matter.

    According to him, science will be the determining factor in whether herbal medicine is used to treat the novel coronavirus.

    “Fortunately, or unfortunately, scientists want to stick to evidence and once your concoction is proven to be safe for use in human beings and also has efficacy, the appropriate bodies will grant the approval.”

    Mr. Mahama made the call on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, when he announced the donation of food items to some 20,000 households in areas affected by the partial lockdown.

    “It is time to explore the role of alternative medicine and traditional remedies in the fight against the Coronavirus. Some traditional medicines are known to boost the immune system and can help both in the prevention of people succumbing to the disease and also play a role a palliative function in the management of persons suffering from COVID-19,” he said.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • 99% of people tested for coronavirus so far are negative – Ghana Health Service

    Ninety nine per cent (99%) of people tested for COVID-19 in the country so far are negative, a Ghana Health Service report cited by Ghanaweb.com has revealed.

    The report, which the GHS has presented to government’s COVID-19 Monitoring Team which is chaired by Vice President Dr. Bawumia, gives a detailed breakdown of tests and cases from mandatory airport quarantine, normal surveillance and enhanced contact tracing.

    Ghana has embarked on aggressive mass testing as one of its strategies to tackle the coronavirus, and so far, 50,517 tests have been conducted.

    Out of the 50,517 tested, a whopping 49,881 have tested negative, while 636, representing just 1% have tested positive.

    The trend so far is a massive boost to Ghana’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, as other countries are registering lower negative percentage rates.

    The latest Ghana Health Service figures of confirmed cases also show an encouraging news of 17 recoveries, a significant rise from the previous figure of 4 with an additional 66 who have already tested negative in their first of two required tests.

    Government’s handling of Ghana’s COVID-19 has been hailed, with the country receiving plaudits for its aggressive surveillance and rapid testing.

    Within four weeks of confirming its first COVID-19 case, Ghana has tested 50,517 people, which is the highest in Africa per capita and among the top 20 in the world.

    In terms of highest number of tests conducted by African countries, Ghana, which recorded its first case 4 weeks ago, is ranked second behind South Africa, which registered its first positive COVID-19 case nearly six weeks ago.

    Head of Ghana’s COVID-19 Monitoring Team, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Monday explained government’s three-pronged strategy of testing, contact tracing and treatment towards curbing the spread of the Coronavirus in Ghana.

    He said government’s remarkable high testing rate is due to the availability of data to both government and health officials.

    The Vice President explained that government relies on the data to trace contacts of infected persons, test such contacts and also put confirmed positive persons on treatment in a three-pronged cycle to combat the disease.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Why spend millions on an app when youre borrowing funds Dafeamekpor asks

    Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor is questioning the rationale behind spending a sum of GHC1.4 on the COVID-19 app when the country is already grappling with funds to sustain the economy.

    Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia launched the GH COVID-19 Tracker App on Monday, April 13, 2020, to among other things, help government identify and trace persons who have come into contact with infected persons.

    Mr. Dafeamekpor, who has questions to ask about prioritisation of monies spent, took to his social media page to ask.

    He sought to know why such an amount was spent on the creation of an app when in fact, only about a day ago, the country secured some $1bn from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) meant to support the country in its effort to combat the Coronavirus.

    “Ghc1.4m spent by Bawumia to launch COVID-19 App? When we have actually set up a National Trust Fund to beg for money from individuals and private entities to help us manage the spread of this virus, Bawumia can be this wasteful? We could get 7000 Veronica Buckets with this cash.”, he wrote.

    The App is a user friendly and free to download mobile software application powered by the Ministry of Communication.

    The application which will be made available on Android and IOS later this week will help track telephone numbers of people who have recently been to certain countries around the world.

    The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) will use the information to determine who to provide an extra layer of screening.

    The App will also help in checking for COVID-19 symptoms and pertinent risk factors.

    It will also answer COVID-19 questions as well as provide digital assistance.

    Source:  www.ghanaweb.com

  • COVID-19: Tamale Central Hospital lays off 143 staff

    The Tamale Central Hospital, located at Tishigu, in the Tamale Metropolis, has temporarily laid off 143 casual workers as a result of the impacts of the coronavirus (COVOD-19) pandemic.

    The affected staff included cleaners, records attendants and wards assistants.

    The decision by the management of the hospital to dispense off the services of the casual workers followed the inability of the hospital to mobilise enough revenue to pay their salaries as a results of decrease in out patients department (OPD) attendants at the facility since the outbreak of the COVID-19.

    The Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Mahamadu Mbiniwaya who confirmed this in an interview with the Graphic Online said the casual workers who have been laid off temporarily were paid from the internally generated fund (IGF), adding that the IGF has dwindled since the COVID-19 outbreak.

    He said since the outbreak of the COVID-19, many people have stopped coming to the facility over fears that they may contract the virus, hence affecting their IGF generation, resulting in the hospital’s decision to lay off the casual staff temporarily.

    Dr Mbiniwaya, however, gave an assurance that when things normalised, those laid off will be re-engaged.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Man, 22, arrested for spraying substance into eyes of police woman on COVID-19 duty

    The Kaneshie Police has arrested a 22-year-old man, Osman Amadu, for spraying a substance into the eyes of a police woman enforcing the lockdown restrictions.

    The incident happened last Friday, April 10, at about 9am at Abossey Okai Zongo junction.

    According to a police statement, the police woman who was on a COVID-19 duty stopped a taxi with the suspect on board.

    The statement said when the suspect was questioned about his movement, he got furious “and without any provocation, sprayed a liquid substance which was in a small plastic bottle into the eyes of the police woman.”

    It said the officer shouted for help and her colleagues together with other witnesses came to her aid and arrested Osman who was sent to the Kaneshie Police station for investigations.

    According to the statement, upon arrival at the police station, Osman admitted the offence, saying “he did not know what came over him.”

    The statement added that he has since been processed for court on the counts of assault on a public officer and violation of the Restriction of Imposition Act.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Police reportedly hold Nigeriens with COVID-19 in office

    The Accra Central Police station was forced to convert one of its offices into a quarantine centre to hold two persons for about one week, while they waited for the results of their coronavirus disease (COVID-19) status after they were arrested for defying the restriction on movement.

    The two foreigners, who were suspected to have come into Ghana through unapproved routes, were arrested on board a taxi at a police checkpoint mounted in front of the Ghana Cocoa Board office, in Accra.

    The test report released by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) after six days, confirmed that the two tested positive.

    The police, after knowing the COVID-19 status of the two persons, had to wait for two more days before the patients were picked up by a medical team from the Ga East Municipal Hospital.

    Arrest

    The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Accra Regional Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mrs Effia Tenge, who confirmed the incident to the Daily Graphic, explained that the station had to set up the temporary quarantine centre because the police did not want to mix new suspects arrested with people already in custody, as a measure to avoid the spread of the virus.

    She said on April 5, the police arrested the two Nigeriens and the driver of a taxi during their routine check of vehicles and their occupants under the COVID-19 operation.

    The two persons, who had their luggage in the vehicle, she said, had discrepancies in their accounts to the police and because of a language barrier they later had to speak through an interpreter as one of them could speak the Hausa language.

    She said the police personnel called the COVID-19 Management Team, who advised that they should be taken to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital for their samples to be taken, after which they were brought back to the Central Police Station where they were held in one of the offices.

    The test results were ready last Saturday, paving the way for the Ga East Municipal Hospital, the national COVID-19 treatment centre, to come for them for treatment.

    A statement issued on April 14, 2020 by the Ghana Police Public Affairs Directorate said the two had refused to submit to treatment at the centre, making their management difficult and therefore had to be returned to the police facility as a matter of necessity, to enable health officials to manage them.

    It said measures had been put in place to ensure no police personnel came into contact with the two while government officials liaised with the Ambassador of Niger on the management of the two Nigerien nationals.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Oppong Nkrumah outlines factors that will inform decision to extend lockdown

    Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has outlined some factors that will inform President Akufo-Addo’s decision to whether to extend or not.

    The President last week after assessment of the two weeks lockdown which is aimed at reducing the spread of Covid-19 extended it by a week.

    According to the President, some expected over 15,000 test results will determine his next line of action. He further stated that the decisions will be taken based on the science of the situation.

    This week Ghana’s case count hit 636 with 17 recoveries and 8 deaths.

    Explaining some factors that will inform the next line of action in a radio interview, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the first will be the number of positive cases recorded from the enhanced surveillance.

    “One, how much of your case count is coming from the enhanced surveillance which gives you a fair idea of how far you are going ahead, it will not tell you exactly whether you are ahead but how far, through the enhanced surveillance you people you are finding asymptomatic which suggest early days of exposure and they are becoming the majority and it will give you an indication that you have moved beyond people with symptoms…”

    “Two, positive cases outside your hot spot so Greater Accra, Greater Kumasi where you have sought to contain, how many positive cases are you getting outside this hotspot which positive cases can be reasonably traced to having exited the hot spot during this period because this data will inform the theory whether indeed…”

    “The socio-economic of the lockdown, the calls that are coming you will see an increasing number of calls about food and perhaps even less about PPEs it gives you a certain idea about the socio-economic of the lockdown.”

    Oppong Nkrumah also added that the security situation in the country will also be assessed before any decision.

     

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Latex Foam supports COVID-19 fight

    Highly rated foam manufacturer, Latex Foam, has donated one thousand pieces of medical mattresses to the Ministry of Health to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The gesture, according to the General Manager of Latex Foam, Mr Salim G. Nahlous, was in response to the national call to individuals and corporate entities to support the government’s fight against the global health crisis, which has put a lot of strain on the country’s medical facilities because of its spread across the country.

    Presenting the items on behalf of his company, Mr Nahlous said the 1,000 mattresses covered the current needs of the ministry, but noted also that Latex Foam was always ready to assist further because of the implications of the pandemic on the country’s healthcare system and society at large.

    Receiving the items, the Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyemang Manu, thanked Latex Foam for their immense support and said the mattresses were very essential in the healthcare delivery in view of the critical nature of the management of COVID-19 which has become a shared responsibly of all.

    Latex Foam, recently granted Superbrand status for the second time in seven years, has been associated with good corporate social responsibility in many areas of national development, such as donation to support the annual National Farmers’ Day celebration, support for needy and brilliant students of the University of Ghana, among others.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Ghanaian Times: COVID-19; our recklessness, lawlessness exposed

    The coronavirus pandemic has exposed a reckless attitude amongst the citizenry which needs to be changed immediately for our own good else the country would find itself in hot waters.

    We speak of the blatant disregard for social distancing at various parts of the country, especially the areas under partial lockdown in this crucial time of the COVID-19 fight.

    This is not the first time the Ghanaian Times is commenting on indiscipline during this period but we have found it necessary to remark again because this stubbornness continues unabated.

    As scientists around the world race against time to get a vaccine, social distance of two metres between two persons is one of the highly recommended precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

    According to researchers, the rapid spread of the virus is likely due to the movements of people with no or very mild symptoms who are unaware that they even have the virus.

    It is therefore in order that the government, led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and many health experts has on numerous occasions recommended that social distancing is observed.

    But what is happening now? Many residents in Accra and Kumasi have thrown caution to the wind and are mingling with each other as though there is nothing at stake.

    We are appalled by the actions of revellers who gathered at some beaches including Chorkor and Sakumno over the weekend and had to be chased and arrested by security officials.

    Similarly, we are dismayed that several markets have been closed down and traders relocated to football fields and other open spaces because of non-compliance to social distancing.

    The height of the indiscipline is exhibited during food distribution by various organisations in Accra where people, especially the destitute, queue closely or crowd distribution centres.

    The results of these actions are obvious. It would accelerate the spread of the disease and ground to a halt all the efforts and sacrifices invested in the fight from day one.

    Since it appears we prefer the application of force to comply with laws and

    directives, we urge the security personnel not to spare anyone who is caught engaging in this indiscipline.

    If the spread of the virus cannot scare them, maybe making offenders face the full rigors of the law would serve as deterrent to others who have determined in their hearts to indulge in the indiscipline spree.

    The COVID-19 is a serious issue that must not be taken lightly. We cannot allow the frivolity of a few to endanger the entire country. The security agencies must rise to the occasion.

     

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • Photos: Local production of PPEs commences in Ghana

    Four Ghanaian garment manufacturing companies in Accra are set to commence the production of personal protective equipment (PPEs) as the government pursues an aggressive policy to meet the demand for protective gears for the health sector.

    It comes at a time PPEs supplies across the world are in peak demand with countries jealously guarding their stock.

    The Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, on Saturday, paid a working visit to the four Ghanaian garment manufacturing companies in Accra.

    The government selected the companies to produce PPEs for frontline health workers leading the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

    The local garment companies selected to spearhead this project are Dignity DTRT, Sleek Garments, Cadling Fashions and Alfie Designs Limited.

    A team from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Health, accompanied Mr Kyerematen on his visit.

    Below are some photos

    Source: theghanareport.com

  • Coronavirus: Upper West Akim rotates market women

    Co-ordinating Director of the Upper West Akim District, Mr. Aaron Otoo has advised traders in the area to adhere to the safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.

    He told Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm that the Council has together with leadership, of the market adopt measures to ensure social-distancing is adhered to.

    The Council has also collaborated with the police, the health directorate and other stakeholders to embark on public education on the global pandemic.

    He opined, “if we are not careful, the coronavirus will overwhelm us and that is why we have segmented the market into three groups for traders to rotate on the various days of the week”.

    On his part, the Adeiso Police Commander, Chief Inspector Kwesi Baah admonished the traders to obey the directives given.

    He said it would be important for people to support the police to enforce the lockdown and directives given.

    Ghana he noted is not in normal times hence the need for the residents to obey the orders.

    The queen mother of the market Maame Agnes Dansoa assured the assembly they would comply with the rotation.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • 22 persons arrested in Volta Region for trying to cross border into Togo

    Some 22 recalcitrant persons have been arrested at Ave Hevi, a border town in the Akatsi North District of the Volta Region in the deep night of yesterday, April 14 while attempting to enter neighbouring Togo on motorbikes.

    According to the District Chief Executive of the area, Hon. Prince Sedoke Amuzu, the arrested persons were riding on five unregistered motorbikes when they were intercepted by the District Security taskforce who are enforcing the government’s restrictions on movement.

    The persons claimed to come from Akatsi South District but a check conducted on them revealed that some were in possession of Togolese national identity cards.

    The five unregistered motorbikes have been confiscated while the suspects were detained overnight and were returned to the Akatsi South District where they claimed to have come from under police escort this morning.

    According to the DCE of the area where the arrest was made, the suspects are going to be sent to the district they claimed they come from and handed over to the Akatsi South Police Command for necessary actions to be carried out on them.

    He further revealed that the DCE for the Akatsi South District has been informed duly about the development.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Man arrested for attacking policewoman at Kaneshie

    A 22-year-old man Osman Amadu is in the grips of the Kaneshie Police for spraying a substance in the eyes of a policewoman at Abossey Okai Zongo junction during enforcement of restriction on movement duties.

    On Friday, April 10, 2020, around 9:00 am, the police officer was on a COVID-19 duty at the Zongo junction ensuring compliance of directives.

    In the course of the duty, a taxi cab was stopped with the suspect on board. He was questioned about his movement but he became furious and without any provocation, sprayed a liquid substance which was in a small plastic bottle into the eyes of the policewoman.

    The complainant shouted for help and her colleagues together with other witnesses came to her aid. The suspect was immediately arrested and sent together with the liquid substance to the Kaneshie Police Station for investigation.

    He admitted the offence and said he did not know what came over him. He is being processed for court on the counts of assault on a public officer and violation of the Restriction of Imposition Act, as the substance is being forwarded to the forensic laboratory for examination.

    The policewoman has also attended hospital with a red swollen eye but has been referred to an eye specialist for further treatment.

     

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • The Port of Tema Operations Team has bid farewell to outgoing Port Security Manager Col. Joseph Malik Punamane who has served

    The Volta River Authority has cautioned Ghanaians against the activities of fraudulent people who are recruiting people in the name of the authority.

    In a statement, the authority explained that a person posing as the Head of Laboratory Unit of the VRA hospital has been issuing fake letters to potential employees.

    “It has come to the attention of the management of VRA that an unscrupulous person posing as the Head of Laboratory Unit at the VRA Hospital at Akosombo is issuing fake letters to unsuspecting potential employment seekers, purporting to be appointing them into roles at the VRA Hospitals,” the statement from the authority read in part.

    It further warned that it has not asked any person or group of persons to represent the authority in any such manner.

    Thus, job seekers who are aiming to work with the authority should forward all concerns via approved means.

    The statement read; “The VRA has a recruitment process and at no stage in the process is the payment of any sort required from the candidate. We, therefore, caution the public to be wary of information from such fraudulent persons and further advise that under no circumstance should they part with money for appointment into VRA because that is not part of our recruitment process. When in doubt, kindly contact us at corpcomm@vra.com for verification.”

    “VRA wishes to assure all that the Authority is an equal opportunity employer committed to a fair recruitment process. Job seekers and the general public must, therefore, disregard the activities of such fraudulent persons at any point in time,” the statement added.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ga East Hospital refuses to treat 2 Nigeriens who tested positive for coronavirus

    The Ga East Municipal Hospital has refused treatment for two Nigeriens who tested positive for Coronavirus.

    According to the hospital, the foreign nationals failed to cooperate with authorities for treatment.

    The two, however, have been secluded in a police facility as a “matter of necessity”, a press release from the police read.

    A press release stated that “The two Nigeriens who tested positive to COVID-19 and were transferred from a Police holding facility of the Accra District Police to the National Treatment Centre have been returned to the Police facility as a matter of necessity, to enable health officials to manage them. The two refused to submit to treatment at the national treatment centre, making their management difficult, thus their return.”

    The said Nigerians were arrested on April 5, 2020 after they could not give justifiable reasons for their movement following the lockdown directive by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    According to Citi News, further investigations by police triggered a medical test on them at the Ridge Hospital whose result came back on April 13, 2020.

    The Ghana Police Service said its officers will not have any form of contacts with the two Nigeriens as the medical team of the police service is making the efforts “safeguard Police Officers and our facility.”

    The public is reminded to continue to cooperate with the Police and Security Services to help curb the spread of the COVID-19. Stay home and stay safe, as we keep the frontline,” the police added.

    The police revealed government is in talks with the Nigerian Ambassador in Ghana on how best to deal with the situation.

    Also, government is unclear whether repatriation will be an immediate solution.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com