Tag: coronavirus in Ghana

Former Minister of Health Samuel Nuamah Donkor, has paid tributes to the late rector of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Prof. Jacob Plange-Rhule.

Prof. Plunge-Rhule died on Friday morning, April 10, at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, in Accra.

Sources say he had been on admission for a short while at the health facility before his passing.

In a statement, the former Ashanti Regional Minister under ex-President Jerry John Rawlings, recounted his fond memories of the departed rector.

He wrote: “Prof Plange-Rhule, may His gentle soul RIP. He and some GMA members recommended Dr Nsiah Asare to me in 1998, when I was looking for a replacement for Old Prof Asafu Agyei as the CEO of KATH (Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital) way back in 1998.

“I had to transfer Dr Nsiah Asare immediately from Tamale Hospital to KATH as the new CEO.

“He and the GMA team were so helpful to me in that stormy period of 1998 during my tenure as the Minister of Health,” he stated.

“In fact they assisted me in the development of the Additional Duty Hours (ADH) Policy for Doctors and other Health Professionals which was fully endorsed by HE President JJ Rawlings.

“That Policy brought great relief to our hardworking Doctors.

“Indeed Dr Plange-Rhule, Dr Oheneba Danso (then GMA Secretary) and Prof Akosa became my very good friends. I am forever grateful to these galant men and also to the GMA President at the time, Dr Kwakye Marfo. A great Hero has fallen on the battlefield but we shall continue to fight on until we emerge as victors in this war,” he wrote.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

African leaders have been urged to be wary of donations from China in the form of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and medical supplies as the COVID-19 global pandemic takes a toll on the continent.

This follows widespread reports of faulty and contaminated Chinese PPEs across the world.

There have been several reports of various countries including Australia, United Kingdom, Spain, Holland and Czech Republic rejecting a range of products meant to fight COVID-19 from China.

Mrs. Theodosia Jackson, Principal of Jackson College of Education who made the call in a statement, said Africa must subject such donations to strict scrutiny to avert further spread of the virus.

She said the rejection of certain Chinese PPEs in some parts of Europe must serve as a red flag for African leaders to be cautious in accepting donations from the Asian giant.

“All that glitter is not gold. Much as we need support to manage the pandemic, we must not endanger the lives of our people”, she cautioned.

She believes there is a sinister motive by the Chinese and some western countries to undermine the sovereignty of Africa and continue to manipulate the continent to satisfy their parochial interests.

Mrs. Jackson is also appalled by the suggestion by two French scientists that a coronavirus vaccine they are working on should be tested in Africa.

“Such level of disrespect to Africans must be a source of worry for African leaders to sit up and vigorously pursue an agenda to restore our dignity”, she bemoaned.

She applauded the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus for the swift manner he condemned the statement by the two scientists.

She said Africa had been treated with contempt for far too long and urged heads of states on the continent to unite to build a prosperous and independent Africa capable of managing its own affairs.

“Africa has no excuse to be poor with all the natural resources at our disposal. It is time for African leaders to begin to explore how best to harness our resources to make the continent self-sufficient”, she opined.

The overwhelming nature of the virus, she noted, is a wake-up call for African leaders to build the capacity of indigenous companies to meet local needs of the people in terms of production.

This, she said, would not only create jobs for the teeming unemployed youth but also improve the economy to enable the continent wean itself from foreign aid.

Source: 3news.com

The Chief and people of Brafoyaw in the Central region have blocked the main entrance of Aggrey Memorial Senior High School to prevent any attempt by authorities to use the school as a quarantine center for COVID-19.

The Chief and some youth of Brafoyaw numbering about a hundred Saturday morning blocked the entrance and vowed to resist any attempt to use the school as a quarantine center.

According to the Chief of Brafoyaw, no school has been used as a quarantine center in the country and so, he does not see the need for authorities to start so in the central region.

Speaking on Accra-based Asempa FM on Saturday, 11 April 2020, the chief said the teachers and their families who live on the school campus will be at risk if the school is allowed to be used as a quarantine center.

He further said the people of Brofoyaw will also be at risk if any person from Aggrey tests positive and travels to his town with the virus.

He is, therefore, calling on authorities to use the Cape Coast sports stadium as the quarantine center rather the school.

“Why are they bringing people to be quarantined here in Aggrey? If any of them test positive we the people of Brafoyaw are not safe. They should take them to the Cape Coast stadium, besides, the teachers and their families who live in this school will also be at risk,” he stated.

So far, Ghana has recorded 378 COVID-19 cases with six deaths and four recoveries.

Source: classfmonline.com

The coalition of Concern Private School Teachers Ghana (COPSTEG) says it is disappointed in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for failing to factor teachers into the Coronavirus budget.

In a release, leadership for the group said, government has continuously ignored the plight of private school teachers in its policy intervention and has done same in this season of the lockdown.

According to the release, COPSTEG is saddened by the development although it considers the lockdown directive a crucial.

“But one thing the government or the President failed to ask is how are these teachers going to survive since our major source of income is the small salary we receive and this salary also comes from the small school and the feeding fee our employers take from the Parents.”

However, COPSTEG called on the government to do the needful.

Read the full statement below.

Coalition for Concern Private School Teachers Ghana – COPSTEG

Non-Payment of Private School Teachers Salary.

The coalition of Concern Private School Teachers Ghana (COPSTEG) is expressing its disappointment in the government and the Education Ministry for neglecting them in this trying times as the government pretends such people do not exist.

On the 16th March 2020, teachers wake up one morning to hear in the news that President Nana Addo has directed all schools be closed down due to the COVID 19 pandemic which is spreading across the country.

We believe that it’s a call in the right direction since most of the students are likely to be infected by this virus.

But one thing the President failed to ask is how are these teachers going to survive since our major source of income is the small salary we receive and this salary also comes from the small school and the feeding fee our employers take from the Parents.

As a result, most of the schools are unable to pay their staff which has to put our members into starvation.

But as we speak, government has paid all public school teachers leaving the private school teachers. Even though we are not employed by the government, the president should at least put some measures in place to see to it that we those in the private schools are also paid.

We have waited patiently, thinking that the president in his last address will mention a package for we private school teachers but nothing of that sought happened. So, for God’s sake what have we done to the government? We ask, is it that government does not realize our contribution to the education sector.

We are therefore calling on the President to:

1. Liaise with Private school owners to release some incentives for private school teachers if salaries can’t be paid between April and June.

2. Put measures in place to ensure that 2/3 of private school teachers’ salary passes through the controller.

3. Employ some of the teachers who are currently at home doing nothing to support sensitise the campaign against the spread of COVID 19.

Signed.

Sir I.B. Chambas

Acting National President.

COPSTEG.

Source: COPSTEG

The number of persons tested positive for Coronavirus in Eastern Region has risen to 28.

The confirmed cases were recorded from about half of 244 samples of construction workers sent to Noguchi Institute for Medical Research.

The 244 are quarantined contacts in AFCON Construction Company in Lower Manya Krobo where an Indian expatriate working on Tema to Akosombo railway project tested Positive on March 31, 2020.

The cases are expected to increase as more results are yet to be released, the Eastern Regional Minister Eric Kwakye Darfour revealed this Friday, April 10, 2020, during an interview with host Kwaku Kwabi popularly known as Dawuro, on Kingdom FM in Accra

“Where the cases are being recorded is not the Kpong community but Camp of a construction company where many of the workers are Indian expatriates. Results of samples released From last night till this afternoon indicate 28 confirmed cases. so far what I have are 28 confirmed cases. It is likely the number will increase because of these results so far from among half of the samples being tested,” the Regional Minister stated.

On Thursday, April 9, 2020, Eastern region recorded 15 more COVID-19 cases bringing the total number of cases in the region to 16.

Prior to the announcement, the Eastern Regional Health Directorate issued a statement under the signature of the Regional Director Dr Mrs Alberta Adjaben Biritwum Nyarko appealing for more Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) as results for some suspected COVID-19 in the region pends.

According to the Directorate, limited quantities of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) received are distributed by the Regional Medical Stores to health facilities as and when they become available from Headquarters.

The Health Directorate acknowledged that many health facilities have received donations of various logistics from their Municipal and District Chief Executives and Members of Parliament and other benevolent organizations but are not enough, therefore “imploring individuals and groups, co-operate bodies etc to support this fight against COVID-19 by donating in cash or kind such as PPEs, ventilators, beds, mattresses, infusion pumps, fuel, sanitizers etc to the Regional Health Directorate to support the work our teams are doing across the region and also to support the setting up of a 100-bed COVID-19 Treatment Centre in the Region”.

According to the statement, the Regional Health Directorate had submitted a total of 373 samples of suspected Coronavirus cases to Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research awaiting results.

Out of the number, 244 samples were taken from contacts connected to Indian expatriate who tested positive of COVID-19 in Lower Manya Krobo Municipality. Three are also persons who had contact with a person tested Positive in the Upper East Region.

The statement added “There are 3 other contacts we have traced and are following up on who is linked to the confirmed case in Upper East Region. They are also doing well. Their samples have also been sent and we await results. Cumulative samples we have taken and submitted total 373?.

The statement said health workers in the region are being trained in batches to build their capacity to enable them to manage COVID-19 cases.

Communication materials are also being distributed to all health facilities across the region including private facilities. Case management and contact tracing teams are being supported in the field by the Security agencies and the collaboration has been excellent.

The Regional Health Directorate is however worried about lack of physical or social distancing across the region, especially in commercial areas.

Source: starfm.com.gh

Member of Parliament(MP) for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah in an interview monitored by MyNewsGh.com has charged his colleagues Members of Parliament(MPs) to sacrifice and show love to their constituency in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Patrick Boamah has donated a hot meal to the vulnerable in his constituency. After the donation, he told the media that he has provided breakfast for more that one thousand in his constituency.

“I have provided breakfast for more that one thousand people in my constituency…I am doing my very best because this is the time to sacrifice and show love for your constituency”, he said.

All ministers of State, Chief of Staff, deputy Chiefs of Staff, Secretary to the President, Secretary to the Cabinet, presidential staffers and presidential aides have decided to donate 50% of their salaries, to the COVID-19 National Trust Fund.

The three-month salary deduction begins April, May, and June.

The COVID-19 fund, established by President Akufo-Addo on March 27, is expected to aid in the fight against the coronavirus and assist in the welfare of the needy and the vulnerable.

All Deputy Ministers have also agreed to donate 50% of their salaries for the next two months, this April and May.

Source: mynewsgh.com

The Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana says the lockdown announced by the president some two weeks ago has halted all funeral activities, opening the floodgate for congestion.

General Secretary of the association Mr. Kofi Jordan in an interview said although the mortuaries are capable of taking in more bodies, they will soon be full.

He told Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5fm that the president when he placed a ban on social gatherings said families could organised private burials.

He has therefore admonished families to organise private burials for the departed t decongest the mortuaries.

The president in March banned all public gatherings including conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, political rallies, church activities and other related events as part of measures to stop the spread of Coronavirus in the country.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a national address on Sunday [March 15, 2020] said: “I have decided in the interest of public safety and the protection of our population to review the public gathering advisories earlier announced as follows: Firstly, all public gatherings including conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, political rallies, sporting events and religious activities, such as services in churches and mosques, have been suspended for the next four (4) weeks.”

He said private burials are allowed but should just be for a few people.

“Private burials are permitted, but with limited numbers, not exceeding twenty-five (25) in attendance.”

Source: rainbowradiooline.com

The Ghana Health Service has disclosed the distribution of recorded Coronavirus cases by sex.

Out of 378 cases recorded, 40.8% are women whereas 59.2% are men.

Over the past eleven (11) days, a number of measures have been introduced to control and prevent further spread of COVID-19 in Ghana.

Among these include restrictive movement in the hotspots of the outbreak, enhanced surveillance including intensive contact tracing and laboratory testing. These measures have resulted in a sudden increase in case detection, with high number of cases being reported.

As of 09 April 2020, 22:00 HRS, a total of 37,405 samples (from routine and enhanced surveillance) have been collected. Out of these, 14,611 have been tested with 378 being positive for COVID-19.

The breakdown of the 378 positive cases are as follows: four (4) have been treated, discharged and have tested negative, 366 cases have been categorised as mild to moderate disease on treatment, two (2) cases are currently on ventilators and six (6) have died.

Of the 378 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 192 were reported from the routine surveillance, 71 from enhanced surveillance activities and 115 from travellers under mandatory quarantine in both Accra and Tamale.

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

See below the graphical presentations

Source: rainbowradioonline.com

As part of measures to stimulate the minds of young people and to optimize responsible use of time during the stay-at-home efforts of government to fight the spread of Coronavirus, the Ghana Library Authority, has launched the “National Short Story Writing Challenge” to curate more short stories by young people and make it available for it wider audience through the Ghana Library App.

National Short Story Writing Challenge is an open subject story writing contest for children from age 9 to 18. Contestants are not limited to particular subjects and can therefore choose to write about any topic of their interest.

Speaking at the launch, the Executive Director of the Ghana Library Authority stated, “We all know the crisis the whole world is facing as a result of the COVID -19 pandemic. Schools, public libraries and other places which will intellectually engage children have all been shut down. Therefore, we are launching this challenge to encourage young writers and to intellectually engage them at home.”

“A lot of Ghanaian children are very imaginative and you will be amazed at how a 9 year old will write in a very creative way. You may even think it was written by a professional adult writer. The interesting part is, winning stories will be published on the Ghana Library App so this basically means that we are encouraging children to write for children”, he added.

The National Short Story Writing Challenge seeks to inspire young writers nationwide to showcase their creative and critical thinking skills.

Selected applicants will be divided into two age groups; Junior Group will comprise applicants from 9 to 12 years while the Senior Group will comprise applicants from 13 to 18 years.

The winners of each group and their respective runners up will receive cash prizes. Winners will receive GHC1000, 1st runners- up will receive GHC500 and 2nd runners- up will receive GHC300.

The winners will be ambassadors and also have their stories published on the Ghana Library App.

Registration should be done via www.ghanalibrary.org/shortstorychallenge , fill the application form and click on the “Upload” button to upload your entry. The entry must be a Word document (MS Word) or Portable Document Format (PDF) file and not more than 1500 words in Arial font.

Closing date for entry is 10th May, 2020. All entries must be submitted before 5 pm GMT on the closing date of competition. Entry is free.

Source: Ghana Library Authority

World Child Cancer has donated GHC 100,000 worth of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other medical consumables to the Department of Child Health of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) to protect health workers against the Coronavirus pandemic.

The items, which were donated with funding support from the Department For International Development (DFID) and UBS Optimus Foundation included; Pulse oximeter, disposable protective gowns, Nitrile gloves, sterile gloves, shoe covers, surgical caps, face mask N95/FFP2, gauze, and cotton wool.

The rest were, blood pressure apparatus, digital thermometers, autoclave machine, disposable bed sheet, liquid, parazone, hand sanitizers, tissue, goggles, gun thermometers, Glucostrips-one touch select, syringes and needles-5cc, syringes and needles-2cc, Methylated spirit (95), Artery forceps, Infusion pump, and vein finder.

Some of the items donated would be conveyed to the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
Mrs Serwaa Owusu-Ansah, the Programme Coordinator World Child Cancer, who presented the items, said children are the future of the country and the donation was to ensure that those who are providing care to them are well protected in this era of COVID-19.

This, she said, would augment government efforts to support COVID-19 response in the country.

Prof Lorna Awo Renner, the Head of Pediatric Oncology Unit, receiving the donation on behalf of the Department, expressed gratitude to the NGO for the gesture.

This would go a long way to protect health workers and enable them deliver quality service to children particularly those with cancer who visit the facility, she said.

“We look forward for a long collaboration as this would help prevent the spread of the disease among children who are vulnerable,” she said.

Prof Renner said COVID-19 has gotten the attention of many people even across the globe but there are other diseases such as cancer, malaria, TB among others and urged Ghanaians to take note of these and also protect themselves as such.

She advised parents to report children to the hospital should they detect changes in them for early treatment.

Prof Renner said the hospital has put in place measures to prevent the spread of the disease among women whose children are on admission.

“We have also implemented full preventive measures, observing social distancing, hand washing, the use of sanitizer. All these seek to minimize contact with the children,” she said.

She urged mothers to stay at home to prevent exposing their children unnecessarily to people who are infected and only go out if need be but advised them to use face mask to protect themselves.

World Child Cancer is a Non-Governmental charity organization was established in 2007 and is aimed at improving access to diagnosis, supportive palliative and potentially curative care for children with cancer around the world.

Source: GNA

The Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) has expressed concerns if further steps are not taken “all the good efforts applied will come to nought and eventually our country will be consumed by this ravaging novel virus”.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Director of Research and Advocacy of the Bureau, Etornam Korda, said Ghana must be ahead of Coronavirus.

She said the periodic updates from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is inspiring but the latest update as regards the lockdown and the data on the spread of infections gives cause to worry.

The Bureau has therefore asked government to impose a 21-day lockdown across all the 16 regions, shore up tracing and testing capacity efforts, put more into education and monitor suspected cases to minimize frequent cases of escapes as well as expand testing sites across all the regions “within the shortest possible time”.

Ghana has so far confirmed 378 cases of the viral disease with six deaths. Four have, however, recovered.

On Thursday when he addressed the nation, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said his efforts at containing the spread of the virus have been “modestly successful”.

But the Bureau said it is better to impose other measures than wait for a disaster to happen.

“We therefore urge all Ghanaians to join us in the call for the extension of restricted movements across the country and support Government in these trying times.

“We further call on all citizens and residents to comply with the directives on restriction of movements; as our collective discipline remain key in this fight against the nCov-19.

“We encourage the men and officers in the law enforcement front to demonstrate tact and professionalism at all times in their enforcement duties.

“Indeed, these are not pleasant times and lockdowns/restrictions are costly both to the individual, business and the State, but the alternative is disaster that is even more costly.”

Source: 3news.com

The Member of Parliament of the Nadowli/Kaleo Constituency and second deputy speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K Bagbin, on Thursday, donated a number of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), valued at GHC70,000 to the Nadowli/Kaleo District Health Directorate to augment the district’s preparedness and readiness in the fight against COVID-19 disease.

The PPEs were presented at a short ceremony on behalf of the MP by Biekpe T. Sylvester, the communication officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Nadowli-Kaleo Constituency.

The PPEs included 53 full sets of Overall Personal Protective Equipment (each comprising of Dupont Tyvet coverall, N-95 respirator, surgical nosemask, face shield, safety goggles, disposable apron, examination gloves, heavy duty gloves, hand sanitizer and shoe cover) and 50 sets of Sigma gum boots.

Other auxiliary support included 42 pieces of non-contact infrared thermometers, 5 cartons of 250mls hand sanitizers as well as 20 gallons of 1L GIHOC sanitizers.

The donation was received by the District Director of Health, Mrs Phebe in the presence of some staff of the Nadowli-Kaleo district health directorate, the District Coordinating Director, the District Director of Education, the District Police Command, the District BNI Officer, some Constituency Executives and members of the National Democratic Congress led by the Hon. Bartholomew, Vice Chairman.

The Party therefore wishes to thank the staff of the district health services for their dedication and commitment to ensuring Covid-19 free in the district and to assure them of the unflinching support by Rt.Hon Bagbin, Anthony Sumah and the Party in these abnormal times.

Recognizing the devastating effects posed by the disease to the lives of the people, this donation is expected to augment an earlier donation of Ghc20,000 by the Rt. Hon. Alban S.K Bagbin and other items such as Veronica buckets, sanitizers and washing soap that were donated by the NDC 2020 Parliamentary Candidate, Hon. Anthony Mwinkaara Sumah, in the fight against the deadly COVID-19 disease.

Source: James Dabaga, Contributor

The United States Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie S. Sullivan has asked lawful or permanent US residents interested in potential Embassy-organized flight to register.

Making the announcement on the US Embassy in Ghana Instagram page, the Ambassador said those who have not already enrolled on the Smart Traveler Enrolment Program (STEP) to complete an online request form available via this link https://bit.ly/2xAhHAR to receive updates from step.state.gov.

The US Embassy in Ghana has already repatriated 305 Americans from Ghana in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Watch the address below:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A Message to U.S. citizens from Ambassador Stephanie S. Sullivan If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident interested in potential Embassy-organized flights, please complete the online request form available via this link: https://bit.ly/2xAhHAR. Fill out one form for each prospective traveler. If you have not already, please enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive updates from the Embassy at step.state.gov. For emergency American Citizen Services, please contact the U.S. Embassy Consular Section by emailing ACSAccra@state.gov. Visit our website for more information: https://gh.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/ #usinghana #UScitizens

A post shared by US Embassy Ghana (@usembassyghana) on Apr 10, 2020 at 1:45am PDT

Source: myjoyonline.com

The Eastern region has recorded 15 more COVID-19 cases bringing the total number of cases in the region to 16.

The region recorded its first case on March 31 but has since had 15 more confirmed cases.

A breakdown from the Eastern region Health Directorate stated that a total of 257 contacts have been identified with 252 identified and followed up. The statement added that five other contacts have completed the 14-day quarantine and tested.

Meanwhile, confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Ghana have risen to 378, President Akufo-Addo has disclosed.

The President made the disclosure in his 6th address to the nation since the first case was confirmed in the country.

Source: starrfm.com.gh

Ghanaian journalist and broadcaster, Gifty Anti has disclosed how some countries including Italy and the United Kingdom had not put any measures in place even after recording some cases of the novel coronavirus.

Oheneyere as she is affectionately called, recently returned home from government’s mandatory quarantine for persons returning to the country after the closure of the country’s borders.

According to her, at the beginning Ghana was more prepared because “at the airport in Ghana there were checks, people wearing masks, but nobody checked us when I arrived in Amsterdam; no sanitizer, nothing”.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’ with host Kwami Sefa Kayi, Gifty Anti said Ghanaian authorities and security agencies handling the COVID-19 fight should be given some credit because with everything she went through she believes Ghana’s preparedness to curb the pandemic is commendable.

Source: peacefmonline.com

Government has today, April 9 announced a 50% reduction in electricity consumption for commercial and residential consumers as part of measures to ease the economic burden on Ghanaians following the Coronavirus outbreak.

Additionally, the government will also absorb electricity bills for the ‘poorest of poor’, ie, frontline workers aiding the fight against the deadly Coronavirus.

“Government will fully absorb electricity bills for the poorest of the poor, i.e for all lifeline workers, that is free electricity for persons who consume zero to 50-kilowatt hours a month for this period.

“In addition to all other consumers, residential and commercial, the government will absorb again, 50 per cent of your electricity bill for this period, using your March 2020 bill as a benchmark,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo in an address to the nation on April 9, on measures taken by government mitigate the spread of Coronavirus explained; “if your electricity bill was 100 cedis, you will pay only 50 cedis with government absorbing the remaining 50 cedis.”

The move, however, comes as a relief to all citizens after President Akufo-Addo earlier announced in his fifth address to the nation on April 5 indicating the government was going to absorb all water utilities for all citizens for next three months starting from April, May and June respectively.

Additionally, he also announced the decision taken to extend the restrictions of movements by one more week, beginning 1 am on Monday, April 13 to curb the spread of Coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Ghana has today, April 9 recorded 378 Coronavirus cases, 6 deaths and 4 recoveries.Gov’t announces 50% electricity reduction for commercial and residential consumers

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced that government will fully cover the electricity bills of low-income consumers in the country with others enjoying a 50 percent reduction for three months amid the Coronavirus fight.

It comes after former President, John Dramani Mahama pressured for the reduction of both electricity and LPG due to economic crises Ghanaians are facing.

Mahama had also urged government to give tax relief to data users in the current crises.

The former president seems vindicated now as his clarion calls have yielded positive response from government that had already agreed to take care of the water bills for all Ghanaians for April, May and June 2020

The leader of the opposition NDC had argued that electricity and gas are more expensive than water, urging government to consider reducing the costs of power and LPG gas as part of his social intervention for Ghanaians.

In a Facebook write-up, Mr Mahama said: “Since a significant number of people are in WFH (working-from-home) mode, the use of data and ICT mediums have become imperative.

“The government should consider, also, a temporary relief from the Communication Service Tax (CST) in order to grant some relief to data users.

Source: ghanaguardian.com

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Thursday, April 9, 2020, addressed the nation on measures taken by the government to prevent the spread of the deadly Coronavirus in the country.

In a televised speech, the president indicated that the initial two-week partial lockdown in some parts of Greater Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Greater Kumasi has been extended by a week more.

The one-week extension takes effect on Monday, April 13, 2020, at 1 am.

Akufo-Addo added, “Government will fully absorb electricity bills for the poorest of the poor, i.e. for all lifeline consumers, that is free electricity for persons who consume zero to 50 kilowatt hours a month for this period. In addition, for all other consumers, residential and commercial, Government will absorb, again, fifty percent (50%) of your electricity bill for this period, using your March 2020 bill as your benchmark.”

He explained, “if your electricity bill was GH¢100, you will pay only GH¢50, with Government absorbing the remaining GH¢50. This is being done to support industry, enterprises and the service sector in these difficult times, and to provide some relief to households for lost income.”

Ghana’s current coronavirus case count according to President Akufo-Addo is now 378.

Below are some infographics from the President’s address:

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Failure to have the New Patriotic Party (NPP) membership card implied no food.

This is according to a woman who was painfully bounced by some NPP members when she requested for some food that was being distributed at Shiashie in Accra.

The woman (name withheld) was asked to go home because the food which was being shared at that particular moment was not from the government and belonged to only NPP members.

“The other time we went to a certain place to collect some food items and they requested for an NPP party card. They refused to give us the items because we did not have NPP party cards. These people were sharing food items at Shiashie. They said the items were not from the government and that they were given by the MP to distribute to her constituents,” she stated.

She, however, thanked MP for North Dayi Constituency, Jocelyn Tetteh, for not discriminating against people when she went out to donate food to the needy.

“We thank Honourable Jocelyn Tetteh a member of North Dayi Constituency. Today she has helped us. We were home and she called us to come for these items. She brought us here to distribute these items to us. We thank her for this kind gesture.”

Jocelyn Tetteh is one out of many politicians to donate food items to the vulnerable within the constituency to support them cope with the ongoing Coronavirus lockdown period.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The parliamentary candidate for the National Democratic Congress at the Salaga South Constituency in the Savannah Region, Hajia Zuwera Ibrahimah, has fully refurbished a dilapidated facility at the Salaga Government Hospital to serve as an Isolation Center for the novel Coronavirus.

This is in response to concerns raised by residents over lack of an isolation centre in the constituency in the wake of the outbreak of the Coronavirus.

The revamping of the dilapidated structure was fully funded by the only female parliamentary aspirant in the Savannah Region.

At a short ceremony graced by an assignee of the Kpembiwura, the NDC constituency vice chairman, Alhaji Awudu Abaa handed over the keys of the facility to the board chairman of the hospital.

He said the gesture by the parliamentary candidate was borne out of the heart and intended to augment effort by stakeholders to contain the spread of the virus.

He disclosed it was the hope of their candidate that the renovated facility would go a long way to address the hitherto challenges of insecurity associated with the proximity of the isolation center to the main hospital.

According to him, the compassionate and committed female aspirant continuo to stand with her people in this trying times, and would contribute her best quota to curb the spread of the virus in the constituency.

The Board Chairman of the hospital, Chinkpawura Alhaji Tanko Haruna commended Hajia Zuwera for the kind gesture, adding that, it was a timely intervention.

He said the hospital and the municipality alike remain grateful to the parliamentary candidate for responding to the plea and coming to their aid. On behalf of the staff, the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Doctor Prosper Nuri expressed gratitude to Hajia Ibrahimah and the entire NDC fraternity in the constituency for the well-timed intervention.

He made a solemn promise that they were going to put the facility into good use.

Also present was: the Clinical Coordinator at the Salaga Government, Mr. Abdul Karim Nindow; COVID-19 Coordinator of the hospital, Mr. Sanni Abdul Jaleel; Pharmacist at the hospital, Mr.Atanga Frank; Executives of the NDC, Estate Manager at the hospital, traditional leaders inter alia.

Source: Ananpansah B Abraham, Contributor

The Member of Parliament for Manhyia North Collins Owusu Amankwah has disclosed that a an individual who has tested positive for COVID 19 is in hiding in the Tafo Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

According to the vice-Chair on the Interior and Defense Committee of parliament, the patient absconded from an isolation centre in the country.

The minister made the frightening revelations in an interview on Kumasi-based Nhyira FM Thursday.

The MP, however, refused to disclose the exact isolation centre the patient was being kept.

He argued, “even in Senegal someone strangled a nurse and run away with two other patients on isolation.”

He however assured that medical and security personnel overseeing isolation and quarantine centres are on high alert continuously monitoring patients and suspected cases and are ready to do quick follow-ups if the numbers run short.

Out of the three hundred and thirteen (313) cases of COVID 19 recorded in the country, the case count in the Ashanti region stands at twenty-five (25)

Traders at the Kumasi Central Market in the Ashanti Region have begun a shift system in three groups to limit contact and spread of the coronavirus.

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) implemented the system to prevent overcrowding in order to satisfy the social distancing protocols rolled out by the government during the partial lockdown.

According to the system, different traders will be present at the market at different times. The new measure started on Thursday, April 9, and the traders permitted into the markets had red tags for identification.

The intervention had to be implemented following a shutdown of the market due to congestion as the country battles the deadly coronavirus.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of KMA, Henrietta Afia Konadu Aboagye, told theghanareport.com that the Assembly realised the population of the traders exceeded 5,000.

“So, we told them that we have to strike it (the number) by three and introduce what we call the colour card system—red, gold and green,” she explained.

This implies that approximately 1,142 traders will have the opportunity to operate on any particular day.

Thursday was for traders with red tags. The yellow group will report on Friday and the green tag bearers will be allowed to sell on Saturday, in that rotational order.

Ms Aboagye said any group that violated the arrangement with have their tags revoked and suspended from trading at the market indefinitely.

Maa Lydia, a cassava seller at the market, endorsed the new arrangement.

“It is not a problem for me, it has helped a lot because of the virus. The measures KMA leaders have undertaken is very helpful,” she said.

On Thursday, the traders were somewhat practising social distancing, but most of them were not wearing face masks and gloves.

The KMA had earlier distributed Veronica buckets and sanitisers and admonished the traders to observe social distancing and personal hygiene.

Source: theghanareport.com