TIG Post

Tag: coronavirus in Ghana

  • Coronavirus: Aker Energy, partners postpone operations

    Aker Energy and its license partners have taken the decision to postpone the development of the Pecan field in the Deepwater Tano Cape Three Points (DWT/CTP) block offshore Ghana due to global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the B&FT has learnt.

    Aker Energy and its partners, Lukoil, GNPC and Fuel Trade had an aggressive plan to deploy cutting edge technology to develop the Pecan Field and had in February, 2020 entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Yinson to award contracts for the floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel at the Pecan field.

    Aker Energy had also awarded the contract for geotechnical and geophysical survey services to Fugro Ghana Ltd (Fugro) for the Pecan field, whilst ramping up the organization with both technical and support personnel to commence the project during the summer of 2020.

    However, the coronavirus pandemic has severely disrupted global supply chains with many contractors and suppliers unable to deploy.

    Country Director, Kadijah Amoah, of Aker Energy Ghana Ltd explains, in a statement exclusively seen by the B&FT, that the main reason for the postponement is the significant restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus that will reduce capacity on the supply side.

    “The ability to execute on schedule and within cost is critical for both tax returns to Ghana and for profits to investors. The COVID-19 situation significantly hinders the ability to execute on a plan from project start to first oil of only 37 months. Aker Energy has invested hundreds of millions of dollars so far and is determined to ramp up investments again to realize the project when the time is right in the future,” says Mrs. Amoah.

    As the company had recently ramped up its organization in preparedness for commencing the project, the decision to postpone has meant that Aker Energy will now have to downsize its staff strength in both Norway and Ghana to adjust to the activity level ahead.

    A process to right-size the organization has commenced and a total of up to 150 employees and full-time consultants in Norway and Ghana may be affected. 16 employees in Ghana may be laid off, but the majority, up to around 130 employees and consultants, may leave the company in Norway.

    “We have worked hard to recruit competent, talented and experienced people to Aker Energy. It is very unfortunate to be forced to lay-off such a strong team that has proven itself competent, resilient and loyal through two high-paced and exciting years. We, however, remain committed to ensuring that the project will be realised in the future, and hope the company again can offer existing opportunities when the situation stabilises,” says Mrs. Amoah.

    Aker Energy Ghana, a subsidiary of Norwegian-based oil exploration and production firm Aker Energy AS, is an exploration and Production Company and the operator of the Deepwater Tano Cape Three Points (DWT/CTP) block.

    It holds a 50 percent participating interest in the license, and the partners are Lukoil Overseas Ghana Tano Limited (38%), the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) (10%) and Fueltrade Limited (2%). The block holds discovered resources of between 450-550 million barrels of oil equivalent.

    Aker Energy aims to become the oil and gas operator of choice offshore Ghana, by maturing and producing resources in a safe, efficient and reliable manner to the benefit of the company, partners and the people of Ghana.

    Source: thebftonline.com

  • Coronavirus: UGMC ready for use Health Minister

    The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) is ready for use to fight the coronavirus outbreak in Ghana, Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, has said.

    Similarly, Mr Agyemang-Manu said the Bank of Ghana has also allowed the government to use two floors of its hospital for the same purpose.

    Mr Agyeman-Manu said at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday April 1 that: “The University of Ghana Medical Centre is ready for use. Trainings have been completed. Five ICU beds are also ready.”

    Ghana’s confirmed COVID-19 cases has jumped from 161 to 195 with five deaths as at 1 April 2020 Mr Agyeman-Manu said.

    Thirty-four new cases were recorded on Tuesday, 31 March.

    The Greater Accra Region has 174 cases, the Northern Region has 10, the Ashanti Region has nine, the Upper West Region has one and the Eastern Region also has one case of COVID-19.

    Three persons have recovered and have been discharged.

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Accra, Kumasi to undergo massive 3-day clean-up from Friday

    The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources will undertake a three-day clean-up exercise of Accra and Kumasi, beginning Friday, April 3.

    The exercise will be carried out by the Ministry in collaboration with the metropolitan and municipal assemblies within the two jurisdictions and the Environmental Service Providers Association led by Zoomlion Ghana Limited.

    The clean-up exercise has been scheduled to come off at a time when the two cities have been on lockdown, for two weeks.

    It is in support of efforts by government to fight against the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19), a statement issued by the Ministry said.

    The exercise will focus on desilting all gutters, collecting and disposing of refuse from homes, public places, markets and lorry parks and emptying of street litter bins.

    “Meanwhile, all other metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) throughout the country are to ensure continuous cleaning of their respective jurisdictions,” the statement signed by Noah Tumfo, Chief Director at the Ministry, said.

    Ghanaians have also been urged to keep their homes and immediate surroundings clean at all times “and refrain from indiscriminate littering and disposal of refuse”.

    “This is in line with the directive of the President, HE Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to adopt all the necessary measures including the observation of all the hygiene and safety protocols outlined by the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service to contain further spread of the pandemic.”

     

    Source: 3news.com

  • Coronavirus: Hotel occupancy rates down from 70% to under 30% – Ofori-Atta

    Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has revealed that hotel occupancy rates are down from 70% to under 30% due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Ghana.

    According to him, even before the impact of the partial two-week lockdown directive by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, restaurants in the country were already experiencing an average of drop in patronage of 60%.

    “Hotel occupancy rates are down from 70% to under 30% and staff are being sent home. Even before the impact of the current lockdown, restaurants were already experiencing an average drop in patronage of 60%,” Ofori Atta told Parliament House in a briefing on Monday, March 30.

    Due to low patronage of their services as a result of the outbreak, some businesses in the hospitality industry; hotels, restaurants and car rental services, have begun laying off some staff, particularly, contract staff.

    Ken Ofori-Atta also stressed transportation services, have been among the worst hit, due to social distancing, closure of schools and the ban on mass gatherings by government.

    Meanwhile, the Ghana Hotels Association has described the Coronavirus pandemic as having a severe negative impact on their business and urged the government to provide some tax cuts to reduce the probable increase in operational expenses.

    Minister of Tourism, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, said an impact assessment of the coronavirus outbreak on the country by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has revealed the hospitality industry is likely to lose US$130 million in the formal sector.

    The informal sector of the hospitality industry, she added, is likely to also lose US$41 million. This makes a total loss of US$171 million for both sectors.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Transport operators close Accra, Kumasi stations in Volta Region

    Transport operators in the Volta Region have closed down all bus stations for Accra and Kumasi routes.

    This development comes after the President directed a partial lockdown of Greater Accra including Tema, Kasoa in the Central Region and Greater Kumasi for two weeks.

    The Accra and Kumasi stations have remained empty since the lockdown came into effect with buses grounded.

    Although the GPRTU and PROTOA station officers at the Ho-Accra station refused to speak on record, it was detected that they had closed down the Accra, Ashaiman and Madina stations in particular.

    A similar action was taken at the Kumasi Station.

    The STC terminal and the Metro Mass Transit terminal also closed.

    A Metro Mass driver who plies the Ho- Koforidua Kumasi route said “We are at home. We are all not working on any of our routes including the Accra and Kumasi routes.”

    The MMT driver who gave his name as Akyea noted that even the Koforidua route has also been affected by the lockdown because it is the Kumasi bus that serves that route as well. At Hohoe, Kadjebi, Sogakofe, Dzodze and Kpando residents say Accra and Kumasi vehicles alike are not available.

    The station officers nonetheless revealed to DGN Online that after the announcement of the lockdown last Friday evening, traffic from Accra and Kumasi into the region increased considerably.

    A ticketing personnel of the GPRTU station at Madina who gave his name as Sammy said, “Saturday 28 and Sunday 29, March, 2020 was very busy for us. We run out of buses and left some of the travellers stranded.”

    He said over 200 buses going to the region: Ho, Hohoe, Aflao, Akatsi, Kpando among others transported a lot of people who he believes were trying to avoid being caught in the lockdown.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • 15 traders grabbed in Kumasi for breaking lockdown directive

    About 15 traders were Wednesday morning arrested at Dr Mensah Market within the Central Business District of Kumasi by the Joint Security taskforce for allegedly breaching lockdown directives.

    The suspects who were not traders of essential commodities were found to have opened their shops for brisk business when they were pounced on by the security details who whisked them into a waiting vehicle and drove them away.

    MyNewsGh.com has confirmed that the suspects are currently in detention at the Zongo Police Station pending next line of action but sources reveal that they could be put before court for violating the orders.

    A member of the Legal Team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Lawyer Abraham Amaliba has revealed that persons who flout the lockdown rules face up to four years imprisonment

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Coronavirus: Ayawaso West Municipality identified as hotspot

    A compulsory house to house Coronavirus tracing and testing exercise is set to be carried out in the Ayawaso West Municipality in the Greater Accra Region from Wednesday, April 1, 2020.

    The Municipality has been identified as a hotspot for the virus.

    The exercise will be conducted for 10 days to tackle the spread of COVID-19 among residents, a statement from the Municipal Health Directorate said on Tuesday.

    “A directive from the National Level has been given to conduct a COVID-19 contact tracing of all persons who have come into contact with COVID-19 positive patients…and conduct compulsory house to house testing of every individual residing in Ayawaso West Municipal Municipality”, the statement said.

    Over a hundred health and security officers from the police, immigration and national security are expected to be deployed for the exercise in the municipality.

    The Ayawaso West Municipality includes areas such as Legon, Dzorwulu, East Legon, West Legon, Okponglo, Abelenkpe, Roman Ridge, Airport Residential and surrounding communities.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

     

  • Vice President Bawumia donates 500 Cedis each to ‘Ejisu’ Kayaye

    The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has donated 500 Cedis to each of the stranded Kayaye (head porters) who were stopped at Ejisu in the Ashanti Region on their way to the Northern Region.

    The head porters, numbering about 76, had attempted to flee from Accra back to their hometowns in the wake of the President’s order for a partial lockdown in the Capital City and other parts of the country, but their journey back home was unsuccessful as it fell within the lockdown time on Monday.

    Their attempted mass crossover to the north was seen as a threat to stop the spread of the virus in the country, and they were thus stopped from proceeding by security officials, who returned them to Accra.

    Despite the temporary provision of shelter for them by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, many have raised concerns over the plight of the Kayayes under the current circumstance, as business activities in the heart of Accra have come to a halt.

    It is in response of this that the Vice President has donated 500 Cedis to each of them to ameliorate their plight during the period of the partial lockdown.

    The donation was made on behalf of the Vice President by the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama. She was accompanied by Dr. Sagare Bambangi , MP for Walewale and Mustafa Ussif, CEO of the National Service Secretariat.

    Hajia Alima Mahama also revealed that President Akufo-Addo has directed that government assist all Kayaye head porters by giving each of them GH 10 cedis per day to buy food throughout the lockdown period.

    Meanwhile the Vice President has also urged all Ghanaians to continue to observe the preventive measures of regular washing of hands with soap under running water, while they observe the partial lockdown at their respective homes.

    “While we stay at home to prevent the spread, let us continue to adhere strictly to all the preventive measures to avoid the spread of the virus,” he urged.

    “Let us continue to wash our hands regularly with soap under running water, as well as constantly use alcohol-based hand sanitizers to sanitize our hands. We shall overcome, in shaa Allah.”

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • COVID-19: Aspiring NPP MP donates 3,000 pieces of sanitizers, veronica buckets to Constituency

    Aspiring Parliamentary Candidate for Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Constituency, Alfred Obeng-Boateng has donated a total of Three Thousand (3,000) pieces of hand sanitizers and Veronica buckets to residents of the constituency to help the community combat the COVID-19 infection.

    The donation was made through the Municipal Health Directorate on Monday, March 30, 2020, and is expected to be distributed amongst market women in the constituency, police officers, prison inmates, health workers at both government and private hospitals and clinics, the three Traditional Councils, and Executives of the various Transport unions in the area.

    Speaking to the media after the donations, Mr Obeng-Boateng indicated that the donation is in a bid to provide the necessary equipment for the compliance of the preventive measures needed to fight against the pandemic.

    “At this moment, it is believed that we are all aware of the existence of COVID-19 and its concomitant effects on humanity hence I need not bother you on that. What is more important here is the preventive measures one needs to practice and the ingredients needed for that.

    “This is the moment society needs us most to extend a helping hand to others. Obviously it is not everybody who can afford to purchase a single piece of sanitizer easily to protect himself or herself. The government or state is playing her part and it is not out of order for individuals to contribute their quota in supporting the state to fight this deadly disease or pandemic that is wiping off humans on the surface of the earth and again has brought uncertainty to human life,” he indicated.

    Source: www.abcnewsgh.com

  • Defence Minister cautions the public against recording security personnel on coronavirus duty

    The Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, has advised the public to desist from taking videos of security personnel enforcing coronavirus restrictions.

    Reacting to complain of security personnel abusing citizens in a viral video circulating on social media, the minister insisted it was wrong for security officers to abuse citizens, but also condemned the act of recording security officers, while they discharge their duties.

    He insisted some of the videos were old videos being circulated by some propagandist to push their own agenda.

    He was, however, quick to add that the military hierarchy would take on the ones that were verified to be true.

    “Some of the videos are old videos from 2018, however, the squats video with the young lady has been taken on by the GAF, the officer is being dealt with,” he assured in an interview on Citi News.

    The Defence, however, advised security officers not to abuse citizens who flout the lockdown directives by the President.

    The Minister admitted the country was not in normal times, but that did not warrant any security officer the right to abuse citizens.

    “They are not to assault anybody, but to generally assist the police in ensuring that people adhere to the lockdown directive,” he said.

    However, he advised the citizenry to desist from provoking the law enforcers by adhering strictly to the directives given by the President on the partial lockdown because of the rapid spread of the deadly novel coronavirus.

    Source: theghanareport.com

  • Coronavirus: Exempt us from partial lockdown Poultry farmers to government

    President of the Poultry Farmers Association, Victor Oppong-Adjei, has appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akkufo-Addo to allow poultry farmers to go to work even though the country is fighting against the Coronavirus outbreak.

    He noted that poultry farmers are unable to attend to their farms in order to cater for their birds.

    Mr Oppong-Adjei told Accra-based UTV Tuesday March 31 that : “We want to appeal to the president exempt our members from restriction.

    “We want our members to be able to go to work without security harassment,” he said.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa last week announced a partial restriction of some areas in the country to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.

    But the President exempted some professions as well as the markets from the restriction.

    The president said markets were to ensure social distancing and enhanced hygiene protocols.

    “In any event, only persons involved in the food value chain can operate in the markets during this period” the President said.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Volta Region: Transport business drops after Accra, Kumasi lockdown order

    Transport business in the Volta region has greatly been affected following the shutdown of Accra and Kumasi by Presiden Akufo-Addo.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday, March 27, announced a partial lockdown of the two cities including Obuasi and Tema, which took effect on Monday -in bid to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    As a result, Transport Unions in the Volta region; including the Private Transport Owners Association (PROTOA), Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Co-operative Transport Society, have directed drivers who ply Accra and Kumasi roads to ground their vehicles until any further directive from the President.

    Such drivers have also been asked to operate only within the Volta region for the two weeks period.

    According to Mr. Lawrence Awilo Attitoe, the Spokesperson for the Union, the directive is to ensure total compliance with the lockdown and the protocols laid down to prevent the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus.

    “We are doing this in line with the lockdown in parts of Accra and Kumasi just to ensure a total compliance; so, therefore, we have asked drivers who ply Accra and Kumasi roads to ground their vehicles or even operate just within the region within this period until any further directive from the President,” he said.

    Drivers have also been asked to reduce the number of persons they pick in their vehicles to create adequate space in the vehicles.

    Saloon cars are now required to pick only three passengers instead of four, while the big buses have also been asked to reduce the number of persons to just sixteen.

    Mr. Attitoe said, “the move is to ensure that we create enough space in the vehicles so that even if somebody has to cough or sneeze, he or she would do it through the windows,” he noted.

    But affected drivers say, the reduction in the number of persons they are supposed to pick would affect their businesses, thus called for a review of the new arrangement.

    The aggrieved drivers in an interview with Starr News Faisel Abdul-Iddrisu, threatened to park their vehicles at home if they are forced to comply with the directive.

    Source: starrfm.coom.gh

  • Six more Covid-19 patients treated & discharged

    Six more coronavirus patients hitherto on admission at the Ga East Municipal Hospital have been treated and discharged.

    This brings to 38 the total number of patients discharged.

    This was made known by the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, at a press briefing on Wednesday, April 1.

    More soon

    Source: 3news.com

     

  • Govt to house Kayayei during lockdown – Gender Minister

    Mrs. Cynthia Morrison, Ghana’s Gender Minister has announced that the government during the two weeks lockdown period will provide shelter for some head potters, often referred to as ‘kayayei’ in Accra and Kumasi.

    Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Information, today April 1, 2020, the minister said about 1500 kayayei who sleep on the streets will be accommodated, provided food and water during the lockdown period.

    “Some of them have rented apartments and we have those who also live on the streets. We have visited some facilities where we think can accommodate our brothers and sisters on the streets and those without places of abode during the lockdown.

    We currently have 1500 kayayei to cater for. For those who have their apartment, we will find ways of sending logistics to them, to keep them away from coming to town. And for those that we are going to keep, there’s going to be enough food, water… We have corporate bodies cooking for like 6000…” she told the media, monitored by GhanaWeb.

    Meanwhile, over 30 women and children in two trucks en route the Northern Region were impounded at the checkpoint of a COVID- 19 joint security at Duampompo in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality in the Ashanti Region.

    The driver had covered the trucks with tarpaulins to try and outsmart the security personnel stationed at the various checkpoints.

    Passengers on board the vehicles were mostly head porters who were travelling to the North East Region with their children.

    According to these women, when they heard of the lockdown, they decided to go to their hometowns because they have nowhere to sleep in the city.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus cases in Ghana now 195

    The novel coronavirus cases in Ghana have risen to 195 according to the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang Manu.

    Thirty-four new cases have been recorded since yesterday, Tuesday.

    The Greater Accra Region has 174 of these cases, the Northern Region has 10, the  Ashanti Region has nine, the Upper West Region has one and the Eastern Region also has one known case of the virus.

    There are currently 58 infected persons continuing treatment at home after 20 of them were recently discharged.

    In the Greater Accra Region, a 10-day compulsory house-to-house Coronavirus tracing and testing exercise has begun in the Ayawaso West Municipality.

    The Ayawaso West Municipality has been identified as a hotspot in the Greater Accra Region.

    A similar exercise is being carried out in the Ashanti Region in an area yet to be disclosed by authorities.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Coronavirus: Stock markets suffer worst quarter since 1987

    Stock markets around the world suffered historic losses in the first three months of the year amid a massive sell-off tied to the coronavirus.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average and London’s FTSE 100 saw their biggest quarterly drops since 1987, plunging 23% and 25% respectively.

    The S&P 500 lost 20% during the quarter, its worst since 2008.

    The drops come as authorities order a halt to most activity in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.

    Economists have warned the hit to the global economy is likely to be worse than the financial crisis, with forecasters for IHS Markit, for example, predicting growth will shrink 2.8% this year, compared to a 1.7% drop in 2009.

    No country has been left untouched. The data firm expects China’s growth to sputter to 2%, while the UK could see growth drop 4.5%. The outlook for countries such as Italy and less developed economies is even worse.

    “We remain very concerned about the negative outlook for global growth in 2020 and in particular about the strain a downturn would have on emerging markets and low income countries,” the president of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, said on Tuesday.

    In the US, one central bank analysis suggested the unemployment rate could rise to more than 32% over the next three months, as more than 47 million people lose their jobs.

    Globally, many indexes remain more than 20% lower than they were at the start of the year. A steep slide in oil prices, due to a drop in demand and a price war between producers, has compounded the problems on financial markets.

    Governments have pledged massive rescue funds, which has helped to lift share prices in recent days.

    On Tuesday, the FTSE gained almost 2%, while Germany’s Dax and France’s CAC 40 saw more modest gains.

    But the main US indexes stumbled, with the Dow dropping 1.8%, the S&P 500 down 1.6%, and the Nasdaq off almost 1%.

    Energy and financial firms were among the worst performers in the quarter. Retailers, which have seen sales evaporate as stores closed, suffered some of the biggest losses on Tuesday, with Macy’s down almost 9% a day after it said it would put the majority of its staff on unpaid leave.

    “Despite monetary and financial stimulus, we expect volatility of equities to remain elevated as long as the duration and impact of Covid-19 remain unknown, oil prices stay depressed and earnings visibility is murky,” analysts for US Bank Wealth Management wrote

    Source: bbc.com

  • COVID-19: Salaga MP hands over quarantine center to hospital

    The Savannah Regional Minister and Member of Parliament for Salaga South Constituency, Adam Salifu Braimah, has handed over a newly constructed accommodation block to the East Gonja Health Directorate for use as a holding center in case of any suspected Coronavirus case.

    The Minister also presented reusable, disposable and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) worth thousands of Cedis to the Salaga Government Hospital.

    Speaking at a short ceremony to hand over the facility to the East Gonja Municipal Health Director, Mr. Salifu said the conversion of the facility into a holding center became necessary to position the Municipality better in the fight against the deadly pandemic.

    “It is better to have all these facilities available now so that we are not taken by surprise.”

    He stressed that the general public has a greater percentage of avoiding any spread by simply adhering to basic precautionary measures.

    Mr. Salifu also presented some Veronica buckets, sanitizers, basins, soaps among others to some institutions and communities.

    The East Gonja Municipal Health Director, Gertrude Yentumi, on her part said the handing over of the holding center was timely.

    She also applauded the Minister for the donation of the PPEs which she said will save the shortage in the hospital.

    “We are relieved by these items because our staff were at risk.”

    Meanwhile, seven persons who recorded high temperatures and were quarantined at the Salaga government hospital have been discharged.

    This became necessary after the seven recorded normal temperatures.

    Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, Dr Prosper Luri, said authorities have asked them to report in case of any unusual feelings.

     

    Source: 3news.com

  • 110 markets, lorry stations shut for disinfection in Upper West Region

    A total of 110 market places and lorry stations are currently benefiting from the national spraying exercise introduced by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in collaboration with Zoomlion Ghana Limited as a measure to eradicate bacteria and virus.

    The Municipal Chief Executive of Wa, Tahiru Isahaku Moomin while addressing the media prior to the commencement of the exercise in the Upper West Regional capital, Wa said a total of 110 markets and lorry stations will benefit from the exercise.

    He said all arrangements have been put in place for a successful programme including a clean up exercise on Thursday before, the markets are re-opened for the public.

    Already, similar exercises have been undertaken in the Great Accra Region, Ashanti Region and the Bono Regions all geared towards enhancing hygienic conditions in the markets in order to contain and prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Govt to announce plans for homeless today Gender Minister

    The Minister for Gender and Social Protection, Cynthia Morrison has hinted that government will today announce plans it has for homeless people during this period of partial lockdown.

    She indicated that this has delayed because they could not have worked with the current data available at the Ministry because most of the head porters and other homeless people in the capital cities locked down have left for their hometowns.

    She made this known when she spoke to Peace FM in an interview monitored by MyNewsGh.com.

    According to her, the Ministry has since last week picked up data and has finalized on the numbers and will in collaboration with the Information Ministry announce plans government has for such individuals.

    Agencies and bodies supporting this move by the government she added, will also announced when the Press is addressed today.

    Meanwhile, over a dozen of women and children in two trucks en route the Northern Region were impounded at the checkpoint of a COVID- 19 joint security at Duampompo in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality in the Ashanti Region.

    The drivers had covered the trucks with tarpaulins to try and outsmart the security personnel stationed at the various checkpoints.

    Passengers on board the vehicles were mostly head porters who were travelling to the North East Region with their children.

    According to these women, when they heard of the lockdown, they decided to go to their hometowns because they have nowhere to sleep.

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Lockdown Eastern Region now because were unsafe – NDCs Abdul Wahab begs Akufo-Addo

    The Deputy communication director of the biggest opposition party National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Abuakwa north of the Eastern Region, Alhaji Abdul Wahab has called on President Akufo-Addo to lockdown Eastern Region immediately.

    According to Abdul Wahab in the interview monitored by MyNewsGh.com, Eastern Region has now become a hotspot for the deadly Coronavirus since the president ordered the lockdown in some parts of the country.

    “Since the president announce the lockdown in some part of the country a lot of people have moved to Eastern Region making the region hotspot for coronavirus. The option now is for the president to lockdown Eastern Region”, he told the host Awal Adams on Nopras FM.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday, March 27, declared a partial lockdown of Accra and Kumasi, the epicenters of the coronavirus diseases in Ghana.

    The decision, according to the President is to help curb the spread of COVID-19 which has led to five deaths and infected some 161 people.

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Pictures of Guinean escapee not out because we fear she will be lynched – Minister

    The Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed says they have not released the pictures of the Guinean coronavirus patient who escaped quarantine because they fear she will be lynched by community folks.

    The escapee, a 21-year old girl was part of 10 Guinea nationals who were quarantined after testing positive.

    She, however, escaped from the quarantine centre at the Tamale Teaching Hospital last night and the Police have launched a manhunt to arrest her.

    Many have called on the authorities to release her picture to help indigenes of the North fish her out easily but Mr Saeed has explained why that move has delayed.

    “We did not want to release her pictures because we fear she will be lynched, many of the indigenes may want to beat her up because they fear she would infect them with the virus, we left it to the security to try all means to get her but with the situation at hand now, we may be forced to release the pictures. She is a young girl and whoever is keeping her must release her because she may infect many with this deadly virus”.

    Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah on March 29 had announced that the Guinean patients would be repatriated but there seems to be a change of plan.

    They are believed to have travelled to Ghana through Burkina Faso and Togo and were picked following Intelligence report, according to health officials.

    Ghana has recorded some 9 new confirmed cases of the COVID-19 pandemic as at Tuesday, March 31, 2020, bringing the numbers to a total of 161.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Coronavirus: 40 persons being monitored at Juaso after the death of Obours father

    About 40 persons are currently being monitored at Juaso in the Asante Akim South District of the Ashanti Region after a sub-chief in the area died of Coronavirus.

    Nana Osei Boansi Kuffuor, the biological father of former MUSIGA President Osei Kuffour popularly known as Obour died at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital after testing positive for Covid-19.

    According to Obour his father travelled to the UK initially and tested positive for malaria upon his return.

    Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Emmanuel Tinkorang said the 40 people are being monitored after the death.

    “So far we have identified 40 contacts at Juaso following the confirmation that a sub-chief lost his life through Covid-19. All the 40 persons are being monitored by the Asante Akyem North District Health Directorate. Please he should have alerted someone that most probably this person may have been a suspected case, it was not the case until the situation was getting worse the children sent him to Ridge Hospital and even at the hospital they travel history did not come out so he was managed at emergency instead of isolation…”

    He further advised Ghanaians to make their travel histories known not to endanger the health workers.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Govt appointees were not forced to donate to coronavirus fund – Eugene Arhin

    Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin has quashed claims by some people that all government appointees who agreed to donate 50% of their three months’ salary to the Coronavirus Trust Fund were forced to do so.

    The Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, ministers of state, senior government officials, presidential staffers and aides at the Presidency all pledged 50 percent of their salaries for the next three months to the COVID-19 Fund.

    This gesture came about when President Akufo-Addo after setting up the fund donated his three months salary, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia also followed suit.

    Mr Arhin says the appointees thought it wise to do same and support the fight against COVID-19 and were not forced to do it.

    “Nobody was forced to donate to this COVID-19 fund, we all did this for the best so we believe we just have to manage for the next 3 months”.

    The Fund is to be managed by an eight-member independent Board of Trustees led by former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo.

    So far, the government has received significant offers of assistance from individuals and institutions, with many others expressing the eagerness to contribute to the Fund.

    The Sunon Asogli Power Ghana Limited and the Africa World Airlines Limited (AWA) Sunday, March 29, presented 200,000 dollars to support government’s efforts.

    The Kwadaso branch of the Ghana Baptist Convention also, on Sunday, presented a cheque for 100,000 Ghana cedis to government.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • COVID19: Search for female Guinean national who tested positive intensified

    Security operatives in the Northern regional capital have intensified their search for a Coronavirus (COVID-19) patient who escaped from quarantine in Tamale.

    The escapee, a Guinean national was among the 10 ECOWAS nationals from Guinea and Burkina Faso who tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID19) in Tamale last week and were quarantined at the hotel they were lodging in on their arrival in Tamale on March 24, 2020.

    According to sources within the Regional Security set up, the Guinean COVID-19 patient escaped on the blind side of the security officers made up of two policemen and two soldiers who were detailed there to ensure that the 10 COVID-19 patients quarantined at the facility do not escape.

    The sources revealed that the lady might have escaped around night or the early hours of Monday, March 30, 2020, by scaling the fence wall of the hotel. She left behind all her personal belongings.

    The source intimated that the security personnel who were on guard duties at the hotel at the time of escape of the female Guinean national were not provided with any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) but were armed.

    Confirmation

    The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Salifu Saeed who confirmed the escape said security operatives have intensified their search for the female Guinean national.

    He said they were collaborating with community leaders to help trace the escapee.

    Mr Saeed added that security and safety measures have been stepped up in the metropolis and its environs in the wake of the escape.

    He added that the security personnel who were on guard duties during the escape of the COVID-19 patients at the hotel are also being dealt with by their services commanders.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Minority kick against COVID-19 Trust Fund

    The Minority in Parliament is kicking against the Coronavirus Trust Fund set up to finance the fight against the deadly disease in Ghana.

    There have been donations to the Trust Fund already with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia taking the lead.

    Ministers and presidential appointees have also donated 50% of their 3 months salary to the fund.

    Ranking member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, James Algalga says Parliament passed the NADMO Act which established a disaster fund but has not been operationalised since 2016.

    He says the government should rather use this fund to fight COVID-19 and not forming an entirely new fund.

    He says the Minority will kick against it when it comes to Parliament.

    “When I pondered over the issue critically, I felt that this exercise of setting up a COVID-19 fund was unnecessary in the first place, you are all aware I had the chance to file a question and directed the Minister for the Interior to appear before the House and appraise us of the status of the disaster fund set up under the NADMO Act in 2016, the Minister came and fumbled because the fund has not been operationalised, the fund is set up for issues like this, so instead of setting up a new fund which is a duplicate and unnecessary why not use the old one. Why worry Parliament with another fund when one has not been operationalized.”

    The fund which is to assist in the welfare of the needy and the vulnerable as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic was announced by President Nana Akufo-Addo in his address to the nation on March 27, 2020.

    The Board of Trustees of the Fund is chaired by former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo.

    The other members of the Board are Archbishop Justice Ofei Akrofi, Mr Jude Kofi Bucknor, Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, Mrs Elsie Addo-Awadzie, Dr Ernest Ofori-Sarpong and Dr Tanko. Mr Collins Asare is the Secretary to the Board.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • University, NGO intensify coronavirus education in two regions

    MIHOSO International, a health-centred non-governmental organisation (NGO) is collaborating with the College for Community and Organisational Development (CCOD) to intensify public education on COVID-19 to stem its spread in Bono East and Upper West regions.

    CCOD is a Sunyani-based private technical university affiliated to the University of Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale.

    Already, the two institutions have supported the Jirapa Municipal, Lawra Municipal and the Nandom Municipal Health Directorates in Upper West Regions with COVID-19 preventable items.

    They have also supplied similar items such as Veronica Buckets, soaps, sanitizers to the Kinatmpo North and Atebubu/Amantin Municipal Assemblies and the Kintampo South, Pru and Sene West District Assemblies to aid and strengthen the nationwide handwashing with soap campaign.

    Dr. Gabriel Gbiel Benarkuu, the President of CCOD in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani on Tuesday said the two organisations had also provided sanitary tippy taps and quantities of sanitizers to radio Upper West in Wa and Radio BAR in Sunyani.

    He explained CCOD and MIHOSO had intensified COVID-19 education in the entire Upper West Region by reaching out to people in rural areas who seemed to be neglected in the COVID -19 campaign.

    “We also welcome the call of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for Ghanaians to practice social distancing in our communities in order to prevent the COVID-19 spread. We again support the temporary ban on social gatherings”, Dr. Benarkuu added.

  • Ghana Health Services begins mass Covid-19 test in Ashanti region

    The Ghana Health Services will soon hit high-risk communities in Ashanti region  with  house-to-house test of people suspected to be carrying the Coronavirus.

    Dr. Nana Yaw Ofori Yeboah

    Health authorities  say the move has become necessary in the  region which is one of the epic centers of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana following the death of two persons out of nine confirmed cases.

    Two hundred and 84  people said to have come into contacts with COVID-19  patients have also been identified and being managed.

    The high-risk areas have been identified as communities that have already recorded COVID-19 cases in the Ashanti region.

    Deputy  Regional Director in Charge of Public Health, Dr. Yaw Ofori Yeboah  revealed al is set for health officials to pick samples for testing at the Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research (KCCR)  at the KNUST.

    It forms part of active surveillance measures being implemented  by the directorate to control the spread of COVID-19.

    “The Ghana Health Service  in Ashanti region has strategically  identified  certain locations and those locations, we are going to move from house -to-house  and identify individuals  and offer them the COVID-19 test ,” Dr. Ofori Yeboah said.

    “Samples would be taken from these individuals  and sent to the KCCR at KNUST where we analyse the samples,” he added.

    Dr. Ofori Yeboah revealed all the necessary  arrangements have been made whilst  equipments  needed for the exercise has been procured.

    ” All the necessary things that we need for this exercise  are in place.  We have received significant quantities of Personal Protective Equipment ; we have laboratory teams in place  and we are also collaborating with members of the security agencies to support us in this process.”

     

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Bishop Gideon Titi-Ofei donates 100-bed facility to Tema West Health Directorate

    The Presiding Bishop of The Pleasant Place Church, Bishop Gideon Titi-Ofei, has offered the Tema West Municipal Health Directorate a 100-bed facility to be used as a Covid-19 isolation centre.

    The Bishop, who is also President and CEO of Almond Institute, made the donation on Tuesday, March 31 as his quota in the fight against the fast-spreading coronavirus.

    The number of confirmed coronavirus cases recorded in Ghana has risen to 161.

    This indicates an increase of nine from the initial 152.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Coronavirus: Stop the prank calls – Information Minister warns

    Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has revealed that some people have hijacked the Covid-19 emergency lines to make ”prank calls”.

    According to him, “some people dial the line just to test if it is working” and others call to make jokes; hence depriving people who need help from reaching the authorities.

    In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, government has advised Ghanaians who may reveal symptoms of the virus or have people who fall under such category to contact the emergency lines.

    Such persons are to dial 112 and receive necessary tips to ensure they don’t get others infected. Though 112 is to help curtail the spread of the virus, some unscrupulous persons are misusing the line.

    In an interview with host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah disclosed an overwhelming number of prank calls from January 2020 saying about 1.8 million calls were all made in jest.

    ”When they call and you pick up, they will tell you they were testing the number. Chairman, that is 99.16% . . .these were prank calls,” he told the host.

    He expressed utter disgust over the behaviour of some Ghanaians who do not see the seriousness of the emergency lines.

    “Here is the problem! If you call because you want to test the line, it means you’re depriving people who really need help from reaching the emergency services,” he pointed out.

    Kojo Oppong Nkrumah is therefore pleading with people “joking with the 112 to stop immediately . . . in the 112 database, they had recorded 1.9 million calls from January to I think last week. Out of the 1.9 million phone calls, 1.8 are prank calls”.

    ”If you call more than once and it’s a prank call, we will block your line. What blocking your line means the day you will be in dire need of the emergency line, we won’t pick up. We appeal to you to stop the prank calls to give opportunity to infected persons so that we can take their samples for testing to avoid everybody rushing to the hospitals,’ he advised.

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Soldiers in doctored social media videos are not on Covid-19 operation Ghana Armed Forces

    The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has said videos trending on social media that sought to suggest that some soldiers on the Operation Covid Safety were manhandling citizens are fake.

    Operation Covid Safety is the joint security task force enforcing the lockdown in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area and Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus disease.

    A statement issued Tuesday evening by the public relations directorate of the GAF said the videos are doctored and re-cycled videos of past events some which did not even originate in Ghana.

    A screenshot from one of the viral videos

    “It would be recalled that on Saturday, 28th March 2020, TV 3 News carried a news item purportedly showing the arrival of troops in Kumasi to ensure residents conform to the partial lockdown directives by the President. The purported recording featured a voice which issued threats to residents of the Ashanti Region of intended brutalities by the Military.

    “This reportage, after our investigation, was found to be a doctored video. The said troops were in fact, part of a disinfection exercise which took place recently in Accra but had no bearing to the restrictions programme currently underway,” the statement signed by GAF Director of Public Relations, Colonel Eric Aggrey-Quashie, said.

    The GAF said it is convinced that the deliberate circulation of these unrelated and doctored social media material is a malicious attempt by some people to cast the operation in a bad light.

    The Armed Forces in the statement also assured the public that genuine incidents of the wrongful use of force by soldiers attached to the operation will be investigated and those found culpable disciplined.

    Read the full statement below.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Ghana Armed Forces cover up for soldiers involved in brutalities

    The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) say military men involved in brutalities of innocent civilians who go contrary to the stay at home directive by the president are not members of Operation COVID Safety.

    According to them in a statement signed by Colonel E. Aggrey-Quashie, Director of Public Relations, videos circulating on social media depicting such acts are doctored and re-cycled videos of past events some which did not even originate in Ghana.

    “It would be recalled that on Saturday, 28th March 2020, TV 3 News carried a news item purportedly showing the arrival of troops in Kumasi to ensure residents conform to the partial lockdown directives by the President. The purported recording featured a voice which issued threats to residents of the Ashanti Region of intended brutalities by the Military.

    This reportage, after our investigation, was found to be a doctored video. The said troops were in fact, part of a disinfection exercise which took place recently in Accra but had no bearing to the restrictions programme currently underway,” the statement said.

    The GAF is of the opinion that “the deliberate circulation of unrelated and doctored social media material is orchestrated by certain individuals with the objective of casting the security agencies in the ongoing operation in a bad light”.

    About Operation COVID Safety

    The Operation COVID Safety is the joint security task force enforcing the lockdown in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area and Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus disease.

    Please read the full GAF’s statement below.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Busted cargo trucks with head porters fleeing COVID-19 lockdown zone returned to Accra

    The Municipal Chief Executive of Ejisu-Jauben Beatrice Serwah Derkyi has directed the return of two cargo trucks, which were occupied by dozens of head porters back to Accra.

    The first truck which was covered with tarpaulin had about 35 women and 35 children who were en route to Walewale.

    The second truck with about 60 people was heading to Tamale.

    Speaking to Bernard Avle on the Citi Breakfast Show, the Municipal Chief Executive of Ejisu-Jauben expressed her surprise about how drivers of the trucks were not apprehended at the various barriers on the road.

    “The first truck which was covered with tarpaulin and was going to Tamale and the second truck was going to Walewale. So they were all stopped and the drivers were sent to the police station to write their statements; to tell how they managed from Accra to Ejisu because there are so many barriers on the road. He was also directed take the passengers back to Accra,” she said.

     

    She called on the government to deploy military personnel to assist the police in enforcing the law in the Ejisu Municipality.

    “Some people are doing nothing but they are roaming about. I think the government should allow the soldiers to help the police,” she said.

    “I have just removed them from my territory and I think none of my colleagues will allow them to be in their place because if you keep them there it means you are going to cater for them, find them a place to sleep for these 14 days and giving them food and everything so I think they will return them back to Accra.”

    Walewale, a town in the North-East region has not reported any case of COVID-19 however Tamale, the capital town of the Northern region has two COVID-19 cases.

    This has led to a quarantine of 36 staff of the Tamale Teaching Hospital over a possible COVID-19 infection after coming into contact with two of the ten foreign nationals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Tamale.

    President Nana Akufo-Addo declared a two-week partial lockdown of Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Kasoa as Ghana begins its most drastic measure to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic.

    The lockdown will last from Monday, 31st March 2020 to 12th April 2020.

    Ghana joins South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Mali, among others, in Africa to have announced some restrictions of movement to curb the spread of the virus which has killed over 30,000 people across the globe.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Coronavirus: 109 markets in the Northern Region to be disinfected

    Government has announced that 109 markets in the Northern Region will be disinfected on Thursday April 2, 2020.

    The directive from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is to enhance the conditions of hygiene in markets across the country to curb the Coronavirus pandemic.

    “Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in collaboration with market leaders are to close all markets in their jurisdiction on Thursday, 2nd April 2019 for disinfection to enhance conditions of hygiene in order to contain and prevent the spread of the virus,” a statement by the Minister for Local Government, Hajia Alima Mahama read.

    The Northern Regional Coordinating Council has been tasked to coordinate and ensure compliance with the directive by MMDAs in the region.

    Meanwhile, the markets would be opened on Friday, April 3, 2020 for business.

    Read the full statement below.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: 3 fully recovered, 31 discharged for home management Ghana Health Service

    The Ghana Health Service has disclosed that some 3 persons out of the 161 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in Ghana have tested negative after several tests.

    According to the service, some additional 31 persons who were under mandatory quarantine have significantly responded to treatment, shown no symptoms and have been discharged from admission.

    They will be under home management, pending several other tests to confirm their recovery status.

    Information on the GHS official COVID-19 update page said,

    “Three (3) of the confirmed cases have fully recovered and reverted to negative status for COVID-19 after repeat test following recovery from symptoms.

    As at 31st March 2020, additional thirty-one (31) confirmed cases have significantly improved with no symptoms and have been discharged from admission for home care pending repetition of laboratory tests. This adds to the 18 that were earlier being managed from home and bring the number of cases on home care to forty-nine (49).”

    It further noted that,

    “Processes for enhanced contact tracing and laboratory testing have been initiated. A total of 1,185 contacts have been identified and are being followed up.”

    Meanwhile, 9 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported from NMIMR since the last update at 08:30hrs on 30th March 2020.

    “All nine (9) were reported from Accra, three (3) of them travelled to Ghana within the past 14 days from Germany, France and Hungary respectively but for six (6) of them there is no history of travel outside.

    The Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) also reported on tests from 77 samples including samples from 41 asymptomatic contacts of a case from Tamale Teaching Hospital and all are NEGATIVE for COVID-19.”

    This brings up to a total of 161 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ghana, including five 5 deaths as of 31 st March 2020 at 15:00Hr.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • COVID-19: Five Malians quarantined in Northern region

    The Northern Regional Authorities have quarantined five Malians who were travelling from Kumasi to Tamale.

    The five were part of 78 passengers in a Malian registered vehicle which was intercepted by security officials in the region.

    Speaking to Citi News, the Northern Regional, Minister Salifu Saed said samples of the five-persons have been taken for testing.

    “Northern region is like a transit point for the Sahelian people so they travel from Niger, Mali and others. They passed here with trucks, some are from Niger, Burkina and others. Currently, there is a vehicle parked at TTA because it is a vehicle from Mali with both Malian and Nigerian nationals. The medical team is checking up for any symptoms of COVID-19,” he added.

     

    Tamale, the capital town of the Northern region has reported two COVID-19 cases.

    This has led to a quarantine of 36 staff of the Tamale Teaching Hospital over a possible COVID-19 infection after coming into contact with two of the ten foreign nationals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Tamale.

    President Nana Akufo-Addo declared a two-week partial lockdown of Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Kasoa as Ghana began its most drastic measure to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic.

    The lockdown will last from Monday, 31st March 2020 to 12th April 2020.

    Ghana joins South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Mali, among others, in Africa to have announced some restrictions of movement to curb the spread of the virus which has killed over 30,000 people across the globe.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • More coronavirus cases recorded, numbers now at 161

    Ghana has recorded some 9 new confirmed cases of the COVID-19 pandemic as at Tuesday 31st March, 2020, bringing the numbers to a total of 161.

    This figure, according to the Ghana Health Service, includes some 31 new recoveries and 5 deaths.

    Per the details, all 9 cases were reported from Accra, “three (3) of them travelled to Ghana within the past 14 days from Germany, France and Hungary respectively but for six (6) of them there is no history of travel outside.”

    The Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) also reported on tests from 77 samples including samples from 41 asymptomatic contacts of a case from Tamale Teaching Hospital and all are NEGATIVE for COVID-19.

    “This brings up to a total of 161 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ghana, including five (5) deaths as of 31 st March 2020 at 15:00Hr.” updates on the official Ghana Health Service page read.

    It further indicated that “Three (3) of the confirmed cases have fully recovered and reverted to negative status for COVID-19 after repeat test following recovery from symptoms. As at 31st March 2020, an additional thirty-one (31) confirmed cases have significantly improved with no symptoms and have been discharged from admission for home care pending repetition of laboratory tests. This adds to the 18 that were earlier being managed from home and bring the number of cases on home care to forty-nine (49).

    Processes for enhanced contact tracing and laboratory testing have been initiated. A total of 1,185 contacts have been identified and are being followed up.”

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 28 suspected coronavirus cases in the Eastern Region test negative

    About 28 clinical suspected COVID-19 cases in the Eastern Region, have tested negative at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR).

    According to a statement issued by the Regional Emergency Health committee, a total of 33 individuals were identified to have returned from various regions since Saturday.

    However, only three of these returnees were from the Greater Accra Region, Kumasi, and Kasoa and have all tested negative.

    Also, the cases of seven nurses, a physician assistant, a pharmacist and a record staff of the St Joseph Hospital in Koforidua, who were quarantined after attending to a suspected carrier on Sunday, have also tested negative.

    The suspected carrier of the virus is said to be a rotational nurse at the hospital who showed symptoms after receiving a parcel from China two weeks ago.

    But the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Kupualor revealed that the results from the Noguchi proved that the suspected person was not infected.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Foreigners who tested positive for coronavirus in Tamale rejected by their countries

    The Northern Region Minister, Salifu Saeed, has revealed that government is facing difficulties in repatriating the ten foreign nationals who tested positive for Coronavirus to their countries.

    The Ghana Health Service on Sunday, March 29 announced that the Northern Region capital of Tamale had recorded 10 cases of the novel infectious disease.

    The cases, eight Guineans and two Burkinabes who traveled from Burkina Faso and Togo through unapproved routes to Ghana, had been kept under state mandatory quarantine since Saturday, March 28.

    The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, in an interview on New Day on TV3 Monday revealed that government was preparing to repatriate the foreigners to their countries for treatment.

    But speaking on Tamale-based television station Sagani, the Northern Regional Minister said, “Their countries are refusing to take them back”.

    Some 36 health workers at the Tamale Teaching Hospital who came in contact with the patients have also been put on mandatory quarantine.

    Meanwhile, one of the patients, a female has reportedly escaped.

    The patient scaled the walls of the Guest House where they were under quarantine, the Minister revealed.

    “The patient scaled the walls at the blind side of the security and escaped.”

    The Security has commenced a manhunt for her.

    Border Patrols

    Salifu Saeed, who is also Chairman of the Northern Regional Security Council, revealed that borders in the north are being patrolled by the military and other security agencies.

     

    Source: 3news.com

  • Coronavirus: 2547 people tested in Ghana as at March 30

    Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare has revealed that tests have been conducted on 2547 people so far in Ghana

    Dr. Nsiah Asare noted that as at Monday, March 30, 2020 tests conducted at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) in the capital as well as the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research into Tropical Medicine (KCCR) confirmed the tally.

    He made the revelation on Peace FM’s Morning Show Tuesday morning; adding that the 152 positive cases of Coronavirus recorded were from the total 2547 tested.

    Meanwhile, Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman Manu has indicated that 31 persons out of the 152 reported positive cases have recovered from the coronavirus and have been discharged pending observation from their homes.

    According to Mr Agyeman Manu, this shows that the cases are being well managed in the country, stressing that all five persons who have died were aged and had an underlying illness.

    Some parts of the country, namely Greater Accra Region and Ashanti Region have entered day two of a lockdown directed by President Akufo-Addo as a containment measure against the rapid spread of the disease.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • COVID-19: New Energy promotes tippy taps for hand washing

    Some residents of Gunayili and Kamonayili in the Tamale and Sagnarigu Assemblies respectively have been sensitised on the use of tippy taps for effective hand washing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

    Youth in the two communities were also trained on how to install tippy taps so that they would also teach others in the communities to help adopt the tippy taps to facilitate hand washing under running water.

    New Energy, a non-governmental organisation operating in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector, undertook this initiative in the two communities to contribute to national efforts at suppressing the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

    Mrs Nayilatu Iddrisu, Executive Director of New Energy, who led a team to visit some homes in the communities to undertake the initiative, said the materials needed to install tippy taps were readily available in the communities adding tippy taps were ideal for communities that did not have reliable supply of water hence promoting them in rural communities that did not have water.

    Tippy tap is a hands-free device for hand washing that is especially designed for rural areas where there is no running water.

    It is operated by a foot lever and thus reduces the chance for the transmission of pathogens as the user only touches a bar of soap suspended by a string.

    Mrs Iddrisu said it cost less than GHc3 to fix tippy taps compared to Veronica Buckets, which most of the rural dwellers could not afford hence the decision to promote them for use by rural dwellers to keep them safe during this period of COVID-19 pandemic.

    She said it was also more hygienic to use tippy tap as it was hands-free, which helped to prevent contamination compared to Veronica Buckets where people would have to touch the tap for the water to flow, which could be a source of infection.

    She advised community members to adhere to precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

    Members of the communities expressed gratitude to New Energy for the initiative saying they would adopt the tippy taps to regularly wash their hands.

    They, however, appealed to New Energy to support them with hand sanitisers to keep their hands clean when not at home to use the tippy taps.

     

    Source: Albert Futukpor, Contributor 

  • COVID19: All 94 contacts of infected UG student test negative

    The University of Ghana has announced that all 94 primary contacts of a student who tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19) have tested negative after going through the mandatory 14-day period of quarantine.

    The University says the contacts have since been bused to their destinations in and outside Accra.

    It will be recalled that on March 13, 2020, an imported case of COVID-19 involving a non-resident student who returned to Ghana from an international trip was reported.

    As a preventive and precautionary measure, lectures on all University of Ghana campuses, including clinical rotations and practicals, were suspended on March 15, 2020, by the University. This was followed by the closure of the University on March 16, 2020, in compliance with the directive by the President of the Republic of Ghana.

    “Eighty-two (82) students and twelve (12) employees were identified as primary contacts. Seventy-four (74) of the primary contacts (students) who were present on campus at the time the University received information about the COVID 19 case, were asked to self-quarantine on campus to avoid the risk of community spread,” a public notice by the UG Registrar said.

    “The remaining eight (8) who had already left the campus for their homes as well as the employees, were advised by the University of Ghana Emergency Response Team (UG-ERT) and the National Contact Tracing Team (NCTT) to self-quarantine at home.

    The University admitted that it faced some initial logistical challenges before the contacts were relocated to a quarantine facility on campus which paved the way for easy management of the situation.

    The students have since left quarantine for their homes in and outside Accra.

    “With all the primary contacts (students and staff) testing negative for COVID-19 as certified by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, and with the closure of the University, buses were made available by the University of Ghana to convey students who live in and outside Accra to their various destinations, such as Obuasi, Kumasi, Tamale, Upper West, Cape Coast and Takoradi. They have also received the necessary counselling and education on precautionary measures with respect to COVID-19″.

    Meanwhile, the affected student in isolation at a National Quarantine facility is reported to be making steady progress,” the statement said.

    Source: www.graphic.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Mamprusi West Assembly mount checkpoints to screen entrants

    From North East Region Correspondant

    Due to the President’s directive for the lockdown of Accra and Kumasi as part of measures to manage the coronavirus pandemic, the Municipal Chief Executive for West Mamprusi Municipal in the newly created North East Region Honourable Arimyao Somo Lucky has mounted two checkpoints to ensure that people who are trooping into the Municipality from the lockdown cities are screened.

    The screening exercise is being organized by the Municipal taskforce against coronavirus under the leadership of the MCE. The first checkpoint is at Nasia which happens to be the entrance of the municipal whilst Walewale, the municipal capital hosts the remaining centre. No case of coronavirus has been recorded so far in the municipality, and North East region as a whole. The screening is being carried out by health experts from the Walewale municipal hospital.

    The purpose of the screening is to detect possible cases and to also take the data of new entrants into the Municipality.

    Mr Somo Arimiyao remarked, “Today, we have not less than 25 buses that we have brought for the screening. And we have also made available a place at Walewale Senior High School to quarantine people who may be potential victims.”

    He assured all residents of West Mamprusi Municipal that the quarantine centre is ready and available for use when necessary. And he shall do more in his capacity to ensure that the municipal is safe and free from the coronavirus.

    The screening exercise is expected to continue for an additional day since more people are still trooping into the municipal from Accra and Kumasi.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 31 returnees yet to be tested for coronavirus in the Eastern Region – GHS

    Eastern Region is yet to record a case of Coronavirus after all but one of 28 suspected cases tested negative.

    The result of the one is still pending, according to the Eastern Region Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Alberta Adjabeng Biritwum-Nyarko.

    But she indicated that three out of four persons are under self-isolation after being traced as in the line of contact of one of the infected patients in Accra.

    “Three of them have so far tested negative and the other one returned to Accra.”

    Dr Biritwum-Nyarko said so far 33 persons from coronavirus-hit countries are residing in the region.

    “Samples have been taken from two, which all tested negative.

    “The rest are under observation and monitoring by the District Health Directorate in their respective districts of residence across the region and shall be tested soon.”

    She urged residents to remain calm and that the Service will continue to intensify preparedness and response activities and heighten surveillance in the region.

    She admonished residents to take the precautionary measures seriously.

     

    Source: 3news.com

  • 15 coronavirus checkpoints set up in Eastern region in response to Accra, Kumasi influx

    Four municipalities in the Eastern region have set up at least 15 police checkpoints following fears of an increasing coronavirus transmission.

    The checkpoints are within the Akuapem North, Akuapem South, New Juaben South Municipal Assemblies and Okere District Assembly, a joint statement read.

    Political and health authorities within these areas said they have observed an increase in population as people flee Kasoa, Accra and Kumasi which have been locked down to contain the spread of the deadly virus that has killed five in Ghana.

    Since the President, last Friday, announced the lockdown which took effect Monday, there have been several reports of people travelling outside the three affected areas.

    There are concerns a mass movement could spread the virus even further as Ghana tries to deal with more than 100 cases of coronavirus.

    In response, the municipal and district chief executives in these four areas in the Eastern region say, “public Health workers would be present at these check points to take temperatures of people and direct abnormal cases to the appropriate authorities.”

    High temperature of more than 38 degrees Celsius could be a symptom of coronavirus infection.

    source: theghanareport.com

  • Coronavirus: Jomoro Health Director appeals for PPEs

    The Municipal Health Director of Jomoro Municipality in the Western Region, Mr. Sampson Joseph Kwame is appealing for Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) to help health facilities in the area to curb the spread of deadly Coronavirus pandemic.

    A visit to some health facilities in the Municipality by GhanaWeb’s Western Regional Correspondent, Daniel Kaku confirmed that some health workers are not safe when it comes to the fight against the Coronavirus.

    During the visit, some Nurses who spoke on condition of anonymity, complained bitterly that since the Coronavirus hit the country, they had not received any PPE.

    They said they go to work unprotected, and this situation has put fears in them anytime they want to touch any patient that visit their designated facilities.

    “Since this disease visited us in Ghana, we the nurses in Jomoro have not received any preventive items from anybody and we are afraid to touch any patient that comes to us for medical attention, we don’t have sanitizers, hand gloves and others, if care is not taking we will not come to work”, they lamented.

    In a quick response by the Jomoro Municipal Health Director on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, Mr. Joseph Kwame admitted that his Directorate lacks some Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to be distributed to the health facilities in the area.

    He disclosed that some health facilities had been provided with hand gloves.

    On the issue of hand sanitizers, the Health Director said his outfit has not been provided.

    “As we are speaking we don’t get hand sanitizers to buy from markets, we even went to Takoradi we did not get some to buy, there are shortages of hand gloves and we are trying to order some from Cote d’ivoire”, he emphasized.

    Asking whether anybody has promised to donate the PPEs to the Directorate, Mr. Joseph Kwame revealed that the Member of Parliament (MP) and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area had promised him to deliver some of the PPEs to the Directorate.

    On public education, the Health Director said his outfit was doing what it could to educate the residents about the Coronavirus.

    He said although his outfit has been conducting some form of public education, he pleaded that his outfit needs resources to embark on Mass Media Education.

    He, therefore appealed to radio stations in the Municipality to provide them with free airtime to educate the masses.

    Government has established an Isolation Center at the Half Assini Government Hospital to cater for any suspected Coronavirus patient.

    Information gathered from the Center indicates that though the Center has some PPEs management of the facility say they need more items such as goggles, face shields, gowns, medical masks, hand gloves and others.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavrius lockdown: Four assemblies in Eastern region fight sudden influx

    Some Assemblies in the Eastern Region are fighting the influx of people into the area as a result of the lockdown of Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi in a bid to deal with the coronavirus outbreak which has, so far, killed five Ghanaians out of the one hundred fifty-two cases confirmed so far.

    The Juaben South, Akuapem North Municipal Assembly, Akuapem South and Okere Municipal Assemblies are among those who have been experiencing an influx of people since the lockdown took effect from Monday.

    The four assemblies have, therefore, mounted roadblocks to ensure the people entering their jurisdiction are checked for the virus.

    In a joint statement, the four Assemblies said there would be 15 checkpoints for that exercise.

    The statement said both security and public health officials “would be present at these checkpoints to take the temperature of people and direct abnormal cases to the appropriate authorities.”

    “We wish to assure all our stakeholders that these measures are taken in the interest of the people and citizens would only last for two weeks subject to review and that all the steps taken would help mitigate the impact of influx of people from other parts of the country that could possibly lead to the spread of the virus in the municipalities and district. It is therefore expected that as law-abiding citizens, we should cooperate with the assemblies to ensure that lives are protected and together, we shall overcome this too,” the Assemblies said.

    Furthermore, the Assemblies have directed hotels and guest houses to provide them with the number of visitors they receive for the necessary action to be taken.

    Also, food vendors, chop bars, restaurants have been ordered to only provide “take away” services.

    Additionally, pubs and drinking spots have been ordered to shut down until further notice, while market women and traders at Adawso market, Asenema market, Agartha market, Koforidua Central market, Juaben Serwaa market, Zongo markets, and the beads market have been directed to run a rotational system in accordance with social distancing protocols.

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • 31 COVID-19 patients recover in Ghana Health Minister says

    Thirty-one out of the 152 persons who were receiving treatment after contracting COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus have recovered, the Health Minister, Kweku Agyeman-Manu has disclosed.

    He said, however, that they will be kept in isolation and monitored for about four weeks.

    After this period, more tests will be conducted before they are declared to have fully recovered.

    This brings the total number of people who have recovered from the disease in Ghana to 33. Five persons have, however, died after contracting the COVID-19.

    The development brings relief to many as Accra, Kumasi and Kasoa enter day two of a partial lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country.

    More than 37,000 people have died from COVID-19 globally, while over 780,000 infections have been confirmed in at least 178 countries and territories. More than 166,000 people have recovered from the coronavirus.

    In Ghana and all countries across the world, stringent measures, including lockdowns have been declared to curb the spread of the disease.

    On Monday, the Health Service in its web updates indicated that no new cases had been recorded.

    “The Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research tested 17 samples from the Upper East (3), North East (3) and Ashanti (11) regions all of which were Negative.

    “No new test results have been received from Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research since the last update.”

    Total confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ghana stands at 152 with five deaths as of March 30, 2020.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com | Naa Sakwaba Akwa

     

     

  • E/R Assemblies tighten security over influx of people escaping from locked-down areas

    Some local assemblies in the Eastern Region have complained about the influx of people in the region following the lockdown of parts of the country.

    Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Kumasi are currently under lockdown following a directive by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in an attempt to combat the coronavirus pandemic which has so far infected some 152 people and led to the death of five others.

    The lockdown came into effect on Monday, March 30, 2020.

    Meanwhile, in an attempt to escape the lockdown, some people in the coronavirus-hit areas have moved into the Eastern Region, which lies between the Greater Accra Region and the Ashanti Region.

    The leadership of the Juaben South, Akuapem North Municipal Assembly, Akuapem South and Okere Municipal Assemblies have thus tightened security in their respective areas to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

    As part of measures to prevent persons with the virus from entering such areas, the four municipal assemblies in a joint statement said they are mounting barriers at about 15 points where security officials together with “Public health workers would be present at these checkpoints to take the temperature of people and direct abnormal cases to the appropriate authorities.”

    “We wish to assure all our stakeholders that these measures are taken in the interest of the people and citizens would only last for two weeks subject to review and that all the steps taken would help mitigate the impact of influx of people from other parts of the country that could possibly lead to the spread of the virus in the municipalities and district. It is therefore expected that as law-abiding citizens, we should cooperate with the assemblies to ensure that lives are protected and together, we shall overcome this too,” the statement assemblies added.

    All hotels and guest houses have also been asked to furnish the four assemblies with the number of visitors they receive for the necessary action to be taken.

    Food vendors, chop bars, restaurants have also been asked to only provide “take away” services as all pubs, drinking spots have also been directed to shut down until further notice.

    Market women and traders at Adawso market, Asenema market, Agartha market, Koforidua Central market, Juaben Serwaa market, Zongo markets, and the beads market have been directed to run a rotational system to avoid crowding.

    The Information Services Department of these assemblies would also carry out public education to encourage enhanced personal hygiene and the measures outlined in the directives as the police and emergency response teams step up patrols to ensure strict compliance.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Bolt offers free transport services to health workers in lockdown areas

    The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association has collaborated with ride-hailing service, Bolt to offer free transportation services to health workers in affected lockdown areas in the country.

    Nurses and Midwives in Accra, Tema, Kasoa, and Kumasi complained of the difficulty they go through before getting to their workplace due to the restriction of movement imposed by the government.

    This has compelled many commercial vehicles to suspend operations.

    To address this concern, the Association is collaborating with Bolt and the Transport Ministry to provide convenient means of transportation for its members.

    President of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo said Bolt has been provided with the biodata of its members and upon request, such persons will receive a free ride to their health facilities.

    She further added that “the services, when rolled out, would not be used inappropriately by members but only from their residences to their health facilities.”

    Other incentives provided to make health workers focused on their duties at this critical time is the introduction of an insurance cover.

    Health workers have, thus, been advised to remain calm when treating COVID-19 patients since government has announced an insurance package for them.

    According to the Health Minister, health personnel are entitled to GH¢350,000.00 Group Life, GH¢25,000.00 Critical Illness and GH¢10,000.00 Total Temporal Disability (all causes) insurance packages.

    Also, the Association has reached out to pharmaceutical companies to support its members with hand sanitizers to make their work easier.

    Source: ABCNewsgh.com

  • PEF commends govt for Coronavirus plans, demands more of Finance Ministry

    The Private Enterprise Federation (PEF), has commended the government for the numerous interventions being put in place as part of the emergency response plan set up in anticipation of a possible escalation of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in Ghana.

    PEF in a statement issued Thursday, March 26, said the measures were “forward-thinking interventions that will safeguard the lives of the people of Ghana.”

    The Federation also commended the Bank of Ghana for effectively facilitating the release of funds for payment to depositors of collapsed microfinance, microcredit and savings and loans companies, and asks that the Ministry of Finance, as a matter of urgency, partner the Securities and Exchange Commission to ensure the release of funds to pay customers of collapsed Investment Companies/Asset Managers registered and regulated under SEC whose monies are still locked up with these Investment Companies.

    A portion of the statement reads,”The Private Enterprise Federation (PEF) representing its member business associations and chambers has noted with great concern the current outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) which started in China and has now become a global pandemic.

    PEF has also noticed the numerous interventions being put in place by the Government of Ghana as part of the emergency response plan set up in anticipation of a possible escalation of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in Ghana. We wish to commend the government for such forward-thinking interventions that will safeguard the lives of the people of Ghana.

    PEF and its 19-member Business Associations and Chambers declare our unflinching support to the government in the fight against the disease.”

    Source: goldstreetbusiness.com