Tag: coronavirus in Ghana

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 corona virus 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 line.

“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

The Municipal Chief Executive of Suame Assembly, Dr. John Osei Bobie this morning ordered the immediate lockdown of the Suame market in Kumasi.

His order came after hundreds of traders showed up at the market this morning to engage in trading activities despite an earlier arrangement to ensure social distancing in the market.

Following the partial lockdown directive by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to check the spread of Coronavirus in Ghana, authorities in affected areas like the Greater Accra, Greater Kumasi, and Kasoa have been making arrangements to ensure providers of essential services are able to work.

The exemptions included market women who sell food and food commodities with arrangements made to ensure social distancing in markets during the lockdown period.

However, this morning when the MCE went to the market, he was greeted with scenes of an overcrowded market with people earnestly engaged in trading activities.

Dr Osei Bobie who was unhappy with the situation ordered some military officers to ensure the immediate lockdown of the market.

He indicated that even though the assembly had made arrangements to ensure only a limited number of traders had access to the market, the traders ended up flouting the arrangement thereby putting themselves and others at risk of contracting the deadly coronavirus.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

In the wake of the deadly coronavirus, the Ghana National Blood Service has suspended all mass blood donations within the country to prevent the further spread of the disease.

“To prevent coronavirus spread, we have suspended mass blood donations all over Ghana,” a communique released by the organization reads.

Although they have ruled out mass blood donations because of the coronavirus and the lockdown imposed by the government, they encourage the public to book a one-on-one appointment with their workers to donate blood.

“But right now, many sick people will die unless they receive blood transfusion. Please get in touch for a blood donation appointment,” they concluded.

View the full communique below:

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The Economic Fighters League has condemned what it described as “brutish and primitive behaviour” of the joint police and military team enforcing the lockdown directive.

The league in a statement was of the view that the armed security personnel should have dealt with the persons in a civil and dignified manner without breaching their fundamental human rights.

The statement comes in the wake of some viral videos capturing some military officers punishing citizens who were said to have violated the restrictions announced by the president.

“In modern policing and military engagements where civility dictates that armed officers deal with citizens in a manner that shows human dignity no matter what, it is shameful to find our armed officers exhibiting such brutish and primitive behavior,” the statement said.

“The police and military have no right to beat up unarmed and defenseless citizens, not even when the citizens in question have offended. It is the application of the law that is required, not the abuse of citizens as we are seeing. This shameful practice must stop immediately,” it added.

Source: rainbowradioonline.com

Mr Anthony K.K Sam, Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) has reiterated the need to ensure that no one smuggles’ COVID-19 into the metropolis.

He explained that as a result of the stay home lockdown of some areas in the country, many people were travelling from the affected areas to their villages.

According to him, all Metropolitan Municipal and District Chief Executives in the region had an emergency meeting with the Regional Minister to explore and operationalize strategies to curtail an invasion of the deadly coronavirus in the region, from the stay home lockdown cities of Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Kumasi following the announcement by the President last Friday.

He hinted that following the outcome of the meeting, all passengers on board every vehicle at the Inchaban barrier have been instructed to step out for a temperature check with an Infrared Thermometer gun, and persons whose temperatures were above normal levels (37.5°C) would be isolated and sent to a holding facility for a thorough examination and initiation of testing for the virus.

The MCE who made this known in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Sekondi, implored parents and guardians to get their children off the streets, markets and other public places or have their children detained and fines imposed on their parents or guardians.

He announced that “with effect from today, any child that will be caught loitering will be penalized with their parents and guardians”, adding that a task force comprising of officers from the Metro Security, Police, Education Directorate and other agencies would be patrolling communities, especially markets places to arrest and detain any child seen loitering.

“As such, a temporal holding area has been prepared to contain kids that will be arrested by the team, especially at the markets”, he stressed.

Source: GNA

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) has scheduled Wednesday, April 1, 2020, to disinfect markets in all eleven districts and municipalities in the Upper West Region.

The mass spraying exercise of the markets by the MLGRD forms part of efforts by the government to manage the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the region.

This was contained in a statement signed by Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, the Upper West Regional Minister on Monday and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Wa.

The statement added that all the markets would be locked-down during the period to prevent obstructions by the public in the course of the spraying exercise.

“I wish to take this opportunity to passionately appeal to all traders in the markets in the region to cooperate and comply with the ban on activities in the markets in the region on Wednesday, the statement stated.

It gave the assurance that the chemicals to be used for the spraying exercise were not harmful to humans and that there was no cause for fear of the negative effects of those chemicals.

The statement called on the general public to cooperate with the spraying team and stakeholders to ensure a successful exercise to achieve the desired impact.

Source: GNA

The Kasena-Nankana Municipal Assembly has announced the closure of markets in the area effective, 31st April 2020.

The closure is to enable a team from the Local government Ministry to undertake a disinfection exercise to disinfect the markets.

As part of measures to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in the country, the local government Ministry has embarked on a nationwide disinfection exercise targeting markets.

The exercise, which is being carried from region to region, has seen the disinfection of markets in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions, where cases of the disease have surged.

On April 1, the Upper East Region takes its turn in the national exercise and markets within the Kasena-Nankana Municipality would be first to tackle.

The markets include the Navrongo Old and New markets, the Navrongo Cattle Market, the Kologo Market, and Naaga Market.

The rest are the Natugnia Market, Yua, Kandiga Junction, Kulengo, Doba, Wuru and Manyoro Markets.

Confirming the announcement to our Upper East Regional Correspondent, Senyalah Castro, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) William Aduum, said the 10 markets within the area will be closed, cleaned and prepared a day before the fumigation exercise.

He said the Assembly has taken a serious interest in the exercise to ensure that the markets are rid of all infections to create a safer environment for the people.

Mr. Aduum added that the markets will be opened for business activities 24 hours after the fumigation.

“The markets will be closed on 31st March to make way for the team from the local government ministry to fumigate the places. We will close the markets and clean them as we wait for the team to come and fumigate. As you may know, several of such fumigation exercises are being organized in the country in the wake of the Coronavirus. The disinfection is important to ensure clean and safe markets for the people.

“So for us, all the 10 markets within the assembly will be disinfected”. He explained.

He said the Assembly was working in close collaboration with the Traditional authorities in the area to ensure compliance with the directives.

The MCE, while assuring that all business activities will bounce back in the area after the fumigation exercise, has urged all to comply with the directives to help combat the Coronavirus pandemic.

“We have informed all the traditional leaders about the exercise and we are working with them since they own and represent the people”. He added.

He reminded the people, especially the market folk, to continue the practice of proper handwashing by making use of the ‘Veronica Buckets’ and disinfectants that have been scattered throughout the markets to prevent contracting and spreading the viral disease. enable a team from the Local government Ministry to undertake a disinfection exercise to disinfect the markets.

As part of measures to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in the country, the local government Ministry has embarked on a nationwide disinfection exercise targeting markets.

The exercise, which is being carried from region to region, has seen the disinfection of markets in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions, where cases of the disease have surged.

On April 1, the Upper East Region takes its turn in the national exercise and markets within the Kasena-Nankana Municipality would be first to tackle.

The markets include the Navrongo Old and New markets, the Navrongo Cattle Market, the Kologo Market, and Naaga Market.

The rest are the Natugnia Market, Yua, Kandiga Junction, Kulengo, Doba, Wuru and Manyoro Markets.

Confirming the announcement to our Upper East Regional Correspondent, Senyalah Castro, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) William Aduum, said the 10 markets within the area will be closed, cleaned and prepared a day before the fumigation exercise.

He said the Assembly has taken a serious interest in the exercise to ensure that the markets are rid of all infections to create a safer environment for the people.

Mr. Aduum added that the markets will be opened for business activities 24 hours after the fumigation.

“The markets will be closed on 31st March to make way for the team from the local government ministry to fumigate the places. We will close the markets and clean them as we wait for the team to come and fumigate. As you may know, several of such fumigation exercises are being organized in the country in the wake of the Coronavirus. The disinfection is important to ensure clean and safe markets for the people.

“So for us, all the 10 markets within the assembly will be disinfected”. He explained.

He said the Assembly was working in close collaboration with the Traditional authorities in the area to ensure compliance with the directives.

The MCE, while assuring that all business activities will bounce back in the area after the fumigation exercise, has urged all to comply with the directives to help combat the Coronavirus pandemic.

“We have informed all the traditional leaders about the exercise and we are working with them since they own and represent the people”. He added.

He reminded the people, especially the market folk, to continue the practice of proper handwashing by making use of the ‘Veronica Buckets’ and disinfectants that have been scattered throughout the markets to prevent contracting and spreading the viral disease.

Source: wwww.ghanaweb.com

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Prestea Huni-Valley Constituency in the Western Region, Mrs. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, in her effort to aid the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 disease, has distributed disinfectants to her constituents.

A delegation led by the First Vice Chairman of the NPP, Mr. Peter Anokye, on behalf of the MP donated 35 pieces of large Veronica Bucket, 35 pieces of hand washing liquid soap, 500 pieces of hand sanitizer, 35 pieces washing bowls and 35 pieces of tissue paper to her constituents.

Speaking to the Constituents at Aboso Huni-Valley, Damang and Bompieso, the First Vice Chairman Mr. Peter Anokye stressed on the need to put measures in place by the Ministry of Health seriously to curb the spread of the highly contagious disease.

He also advised them to only rely on news from the World Health Organization (WHO), Ghana Health Service (GHS) website for Coronavirus and Ministry of Information for updates on Ghana’s situation on the virus.

He, therefore, charged them to disregard all false information about COVID-19 especially that on social media in other to avoid fear and panic.

The Medical Team of the Member of Parliament (MP) which was led by Mrs. Vivian Adams also demonstrated to the people how to properly wash their hands and apply hand sanitizer.

She also advised them to follow the directives put in place by the President to avoid spread of the deadly COVID-19.

Some key areas like markets, police stations, health centres and Ghana Private Road Transport Union, (GPRTU) were places the items were presented to.

Some Constituents who later spoke to GhanaWeb’s Western Regional Correspondent Daniel Kaku gave thanks to the MP who doubles as the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts for the kind gesture.

They revealed that the price for alcoholic-based hand sanitizer has increased abnormally in the Prestea Huni-Valley hence their inability to buy some to use.

They are therefore calling on the government to compel the sellers of the alcoholic-based hand sanitizers to reduce the price.

Source: Daniel kaku, Contributor

The Lordina Foundation on Sunday presented a number of essential items including veronica buckets, boxes of liquid soap and hand sanitisers to the inmates at the Gambaga Witch Camp.

The items are to help the women, who are all advanced in age, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus within the camp.

Regular washing of hands with soap under running water is one of the best means by which people can protect themselves from contracting the virus which has, so far, killed five people in Ghana out of the one hundred fifty-two infected with two recoveries.

The Board Chairman of the Foundation, Reverend Stephen Wengam, commenting on the presentation, said: “unfortunately, older people and persons with existing medical conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases are said to be more likely to have serious complications when infected. Our support to the women is to help them protect themselves and prevent any infections within the camp.”

The Gambaga Witch Camp has, over the years, received various forms of support from the Lordina Foundation and, especially from its President, Mrs Lordina Dramani Mahama, a former First Lady of Ghana.

Source: classfmonline.com

The public has been encouraged to increase their daily consumption of cocoa related products to help boost their immune system in the fight against coronavirus(Covid-19)

Dr. Edward Ampofo of Cocoa Clinic made the call yesterday, saying in times like this, it is important to consume Cocoa on a daily basis as an immune booster.

According to him, cocoa does not only help to boost the immune system but equally helps to protect the human body against infection.

He explained that the immune functions of cocoa are mainly related to what he called its polyphenol content and methylxanthine-theobromine.

“The immune system protects the body against germs and foreign materials, “he explained, adding, it is made up of two components- innate and adaptive. The innate immune response is inborn or natural.”

Dr. Ampofo stated that “It quickly marshals agents of the immune system to deal with any invading foreign material (e.g. germ/pathogen). The immune system is so sensitive and forever scanning the environment for any such foreign material”

At the same time, he added that the immune system is able to distinguish itself from foreign material and thereby avoid self-tissues.

Source: Dailyguidenetwork.com

Paramount Chief of the Talensi Traditional Area and Council of State member, Tong-Raan Kugbilsong Nalebegtang has called on other traditional leaders in the Upper East Region to join the hand washing advocacy to ensure that their people adhere to all directives by government and health experts.

According to him, since the mode of spread of the Covid-19 pandemic is through contacts. it is just right that the people are educated to deepen hand washing culture and must be done properly with soap under running water frequently and also keep a high level of personal hygiene at all times.

He suggested that the country and all traditional areas should adopt the frequent and public hand washing practice as a new culture, even after the pandemic is gone.

The Paramount Chief in an interview endorsed efforts by the Upper East Directorate of the Ghana Health Service at ensuring that all passengers entering the region have the recommended body temperature.

In recent times, the Ghana Health Service and the Regional Coronavirus Response Team have mounted a checkpoint at the entrance of the Upper East Region at Pwalugu in the Talensi District, where basic health data including temperature are taken from passengers.

Tong-Raan Kugbilsong Nalebegtang called for more education on the mode of spread, the dangers associated with the virus and how people can protect themselves from a possible infection and urged the various local radio stations to continue with their periodic reminders on hand washing and other preventive methods.

Source: Dailyguidenetwork.com

Lawyers in Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Kumasi have been directed to stay home as they not part of the category of critical staff exempted from the two-week partial lockdown which begun in parts of the country.

Although President Nana Akufo-Addo in announcing the lockdown mentioned the judiciary is exempted, the Chief Justice (CJ) in a new directive Monday said lawyers are to observe the lockdown.

“The restrictions imposed on the citizenry of Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi affect all lawyers and litigants and for other court users since these categories of persons were not exempted,” Chief Justice Anin Yeboah said in a statement on Monday.

Accordingly, the CJ has asked registrars of courts in those areas to adjourn all cases listed during this period to dates in May and June 2020.

In a bid to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus which has so far affected 152 people in Ghana from spreading, government announced a partial lockdown to minimize movement of people.

People have been advised to stay home during the period unless it becomes necessary for them to access essential services.

The lockdown breaches could attract a four-year jail term and or 12,000 cedis if found guilty.

Source: 3news.com

Chief Justice (CJ), Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, has directed 28 courts within the partial lockdown areas to deal solely with individuals who fail to comply with the lockdown protocols as directed by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He, however, stated that the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal will be available to handle urgent cases within this period.

The Chief Justice through a statement which directed all courts within the Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi to adjourn its cases to May and June 2020, noted that the move will safeguard “the critical service rendered by the judiciary during this period as exigencies of the situation demands.

“…Registrars are directed to adjourn all cases listed during this period to dates in May and June 2020,” the statement read further.

Some staff of the judiciary, such as, registrars, cashiers, court clerks, interpreters, recorders and bailiffs, will be required to assist in the designated courts.

Justice Anin-Yeboah also wants “skeletal staff determined by Heads of Departments to ensure that critical service are rendered during this period.”

Ghana’s case count still stands at 152 with five deaths and two recoveries.

Regional breakdown

Accra -133 (3 dead)

Northern Region 10

Ashanti Region 8 (2 dead)

Upper West 1

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

World Health Organization (WHO) officials Monday said they still recommend people not wear face masks unless they are sick with Covid-19 or caring for someone who is sick.

“There is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any potential benefit. In fact, there’s some evidence to suggest the opposite in the misuse of wearing a mask properly or fitting it properly,” Dr. Mike Ryan, Executive Director of the WHO health emergencies program, said at a media briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday.

“There also is the issue that we have a massive global shortage,” Ryan said about masks and other medical supplies. “Right now the people most at risk from this virus are frontline health workers who are exposed to the virus every second of every day. The thought of them not having masks is horrific.”

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, an infectious disease epidemiologist with the WHO, also said at Monday’s briefing that it is important “we prioritize the use of masks for those who need it most,” which would be frontline health care workers.

“In the community, we do not recommend the use of wearing masks unless you yourself are sick and as a measure to prevent onward spread from you if you are ill,” Van Kerkhove said.

“The masks that we recommend are for people who are at home and who are sick and for those individuals who are caring for those people who are home that are sick,” she said.

World Health Organization officials warned at a media briefing last week that globally there is a “significant shortage” of medical supplies, including personal protective gear or PPE, for doctors.

“We need to be clear,” Van Kerkhove said last week. “The world is facing a significant shortage of PPE for our frontline workers — including masks and gloves and gowns and face shields and protecting our health care workers must be the top priority for use of this PPE.”

Source: edition.cnn.com

Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says the number of coronavirus cases may increase in the country.

Ghana’s covid-19 cases have arisen to one hundred and fifty-two (152).

Eleven new cases were confirmed by the Ghana Health Service on Sunday, March 29, 2020, with ten (10) of the cases being among persons under mandatory quarantine in Tamale.

The 10 cases involved Guinean residents who travelled through Burkina Faso and Togo to Ghana and were picked up following intelligence report, and the 11th case was recorded in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

As a result of the spread of covid-19, President Nana Akufo-Addo on Friday, March 27, 2020, declared a partial lockdown of Accra and Kumasi effective 1 am on Monday, March 30, 2020.

Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Monday’s edition of PEACE FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ on the partial restrictions imposed on the movement of goods and services, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah stated that though the government is making frantic efforts to curb the virus infection; it is not certain that the numbers will reduce unless Ghanaians abide by the lockdown.

He cautioned the citizenry that the spread may heighten if they do not treat the lockdown seriously knowing that the virus is transferred through contacts with persons who may or may not know they are infected.

”If you assume that all 1000 have been infected, this figure is about a fifth of it before you even come to the people who were on board the 28 flights. So, as for the numbers, you can make extrapolations. Some have even done calculations that if an average person transfers the virus to 10 people, how much will you have within 2 weeks?” he quizzed.

He appealed to persons who may have symptoms akin to coronavirus to contact the emergency lines or visit the nearest hospital to get tested.

Listen to Kojo Oppong Nkrumah in the video below

Source: peacefmonline.com

A medical doctor at the LEKMA Hospital at Teshie, has tested positive for the infectious coronavirus, the Ledzokuku Constituency legislator, Bernard Oko-Boye has confirmed.

According to him, the Ghana Health Service has already accounted for the unnamed doctor in the number of cases recorded in Ghana.

He further announced that the LEKMA hospital will be shut down for disinfection on Tuesday, March 31.

Meanwhile, it is alleged that the doctor operated on a pregnant woman, before testing for the virus.

He also reportedly attended to several pregnant women.

The Ghana Health Service has so far confirmed 152 coronavirus cases in the country with five deaths and two recoveries.

Source: myjoyonline

Some 30 people have been arrested by the Ashanti Regional Police after they attempted to defy the directive of lockdown in the region. A KIA truck enroute to Walewale in the Northern Region was intercepted and impounded by the police.

According to kasapafmonline, the truck with registration number AS 8983-12 was stopped at the checkpoint of COVID- 19 joint security at Duampompo in the Juaben Municipality.

The cargo truck is currently at the premises of the Ejisu MTTD while the driver has been arrested.

President Akufo-Addo on Friday, March 27 announced a two-week partial lockdown on Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Kumasi to be effective 1 am on Monday, March 30, 2020.

Exemptions were however made for essential service providers to discharge their duties.
The lockdown was initiated as a stringent containment measure against the fast-spreading deadly coronavirus in the country.

Ghana has already recorded 152 cases with 5 deaths and 2 recoveries.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The Ministry of Information says ministers and other appointees at the Presidency have decided to donate fifty percent (50%) of their second quarter salary to the COVID-19 National Trust Fund.

The fund was established by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for the fight against the virus and to assist in the welfare of the needy and the vulnerable.

All Deputy Ministers have however made a commitment to donate fifty percent (50%) of their salaries for two months into the Fund.

The Information Ministry explained that “All Ministers of State, the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, the deputy Chiefs of Staff, Secretary to the President, Secretary to the Cabinet, Presidential Staffers and Presidential Aides at the Presidency have decided to donate fifty percent (50%) of their salaries.”

Already, the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare has issued a directive to the Controller and Accountant General to effect these deductions at source for the period, and transfer the accrued monies into the Fund.

The Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, also followed suit, and has donated three (3) months of his salary into the Fund.

Read the entire statement below;

All Ministers of State, the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, the deputy Chiefs of Staff, Secretary to the President, Secretary to the Cabinet, Presidential Staffers and Presidential Aides at the Presidency have decided to donate fifty percent (50%) of their salaries, for the next three months, i.e. April, May and June, to the COVID-19 National Trust Fund, established by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for the fight against the virus and to assist in the welfare of the needy and the vulnerable.

All Deputy Ministers have also agreed to donate fifty percent (50%) of their salaries for the next two months, i.e. April and May, into the Fund.

As a result, the Chief of Staff, Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, has notified the Controller and Accountant General to effect these deductions at source for the period, and transfer the accrued monies into the Fund.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The Worldreader has developed two free reading solution applications (apps) for students, available on mobile phones and for young and primary-aged children.

The applications are BookSmart app and the Worldreader reading app.

The BookSmart app, which is for primary-aged children, gives parents, caregivers and primary pupils access to a library so they can continue learning while physical schools are out of session.

The BookSmart starts with a free base collection of 75 and more great local and international books suitable for young readers and their parents available via the google play store or web browser.

For older students and young adults, Worldreader offers the free Worldreader reading app, available via the google play store or web browser.

It features hundreds of books for learning and pleasure in categories including health and career.

A statement signed and issued by the Chief Executive Officer of Worldreader Global, Mr David Risher, to announce the package said the BookSmart app optimised for all connection speeds, kept data costs low and books could be saved for offline reading for those with limited data.

The statement said the school closure could result in significant learning loss for students and “at Worldreader, we have seen the need to respond to this COVID-19 situation that has schools around the world on lockdown”.

“As part of our strategy, we are making the application we designed for schools free for every home so that parents can engage their children with this specially curated content,” the statement said.

The statement explained that in response to the global health crisis, UNESCO was supporting the implementation of large-scale distance learning programmes and recommending open educational applications and platforms that schools and teachers could use to reach learners remotely.

As with BookSmart, books can be saved for later, limiting data use and saving cost. Over 100,000 people already read from it each month, with new readers joining each day.

Digital solutions

“Digital solutions are key to keeping children reading while schools are out of session. With BookSmart and the Worldreader app, parents, primary pupils and youth can maintain reading skills, learn new subjects and alleviate stress during this pandemic,” the statement explained.

The statement said for pre-primary learners, continuity in literacy acquisition was especially important, while “for the primary students, the availability of books is essential as reading is a foundational skill that supports acquisition of knowledge across all other subject areas”.

Reading with children

“For young children, reading stories together can provide a chance for bonding with parents or caregivers. And the right books can also provide context for what children are feeling, providing opportunities to process stressful circumstances. Older children will appreciate the opportunity to visit worlds beyond their own while their own worlds are limited by social distancing.

“For youth, reading can also support literacy skills, 21st century skills, work preparedness, self-help and health education,” the statement said, adding that even in low-resource communities, basic phones could provide access to books.

source: graphic.com.gh

The Ghana Health Service says it has not recorded any new case of  the COVID-19 in the country as of 8:30 am Monday March 30, 2020.

According to the Service, 17 samples tested by the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) turned negative.

The samples were taken from the Upper East (3), North East (3) and Ashanti (11) regions respectively.

“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”, it stated on the official website of the service.

Ghana has so far recorded 152 with five death.

An update by the Ghana Health Service said the 11 new cases, were recorded today (Sunday, March 29, 2020).

Ten (10) of the new cases were among persons who were under mandatory quarantine in Tamale under the direction of the Regional Security Committee of the Northern Region.

Situation Update, Confirmed COVID-19 Cases In Ghana As At 30 March 2020, 08:30hrs

As of 30th March 2020, at 08:30 hrs, no new cases of COVID-19 have been reported since the last update at 11:00hrs on 29th March 2020.

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 30th March 2020 at 08:30HRS.

Confirmed COVID-19 Cases and Treatment Outcomes, Ghana- 30 March 2020, 08:30HRS

**All five (5) had underlying chronic medical conditions prior to COVID-19 infection

* Recovered & Discharged: two (2) have recovered and discharged; whilst two others are awaiting laboratory results to inform decision on discharge.

Source: graphic.com.gh

Test for Coronavirus involving a native of Busunu,in the West Gonja Municipal of the Savannah Region,who recently returned from Kumasi has turned out to be negative,PAD FM sources can confirm.

The 18-year old woman recently returned from Kayayei business in Kumasi to Busunu,in the Savannah Region and had been put on isolation as a precaution after she exhibited “cough-like symptoms.

Her throat and nose swabs sample was taken to the Akomfo Anokye Teaching hospital in Kumasi for the necessary examination and the results turned out to be negative.

Speculations were rife that Busunu had recorded a case of the deadly COVID-19, with the suspect being a head porter who recently returned from Kumasi.

The necessary contacts were made by health personnel at the West Gonja Catholic Hospital and the suspect voluntarily offered to be quarantined at the facility for the necessary action.

The hospital has mounted a screening post at the entrance of the facility to test passengers on board public transport entering Damongo.

Hot on the heels of the novel COVID-19 pandemic, President Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo announced a partial lockdown(shelter-in-place order) of Accra and Kumasi, the epicenters of the Coronavirus in Ghana effective today Monday, March 30,2020.

The declaration brought about a sudden spike in the number head porters (Kayayei) travelling from Accra and Kumasi to Northern Ghana following the lockdown declaration shouldn’t be lost on you.

Ghana’s case count as at March 30, 2020, stands at 152 with five deaths and two reported recovery cases.

Globally, we’ve a total of 723,540 case counts with 33,998 deaths and 151,824 recovery cases.

Aside Accra and Kumasi the cynosure of the virus, the Upper West Region recently confirmed its first case of COVID-19, involving a 42-year old Ghanaian who visited UK and Spain and returned to Ghana through Egypt.

On 29th March,2020, Tamale in the Northern Region, recorded 10 cases involving Guinean residents who travelled through Burkina Faso and Togo to Ghana and were picked up and mandatorily quarantined in Tamale under the direction of the Regional Security Council.

It is recommended that we wash our hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds, especially after visiting the John, coughing, s It’s sneezing or blowing one’s nose. The virus is killed by soap outside the human body as soap burst its protective bubble.

Also, the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol by volume where soap and running water are not available in a ready manner.

Worthy of acceptance is the suggestion by the WHO that we should avoid touching our eyes, mouth or nose with unwashed hands. Science would say it’s impossible to stay a minute without touching your face, but we ought to give it a hard try.

As much as possible, stay at home and be safe.

Source: Abraham Ananpansah, Contributor

The Ghana Health Service has announced that there are no new cases of the coronavirus infections as of 08:30hrs on Monday, 30 March 2020 despite a few tests having been carried out.

In its update on its website, the Ghana Health Service said: “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”, adding: “No new test results have been received from Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research since the last update”.

This means the total confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ghana still stands at 152 with five deaths.

All the five (5) that succumbed, according to the Ghana Health Service, “had underlying chronic medical conditions prior to the COVID-19 infection”.

It said the number of patients who have recovered and been discharged still stands at two, “while two others are awaiting laboratory results to inform decision on discharge”.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, on Friday night, declared a partial lockdown of Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi as part of efforts to mitigate the spread of the disease and rein it in.

Source: classfmonline.com

Despite it being a public health problem, the auxiliary effect of this pandemic cuts across all facets of life in terms of health, economics, education, just to mention a few.

The scare of this pandemic keeps increasing each day as the incidence of the disease keeps increasing across the globe.

With the disease currently in 190 countries despite the innovative effort by governments, international organizations and stakeholders, the numbers keep swelling with more than 560000/25000 confirmed cases/death recorded within a short time.

With no cure at the moment to this pandemic, preventive measures stand as the only way to decrease the spread of the disease.

Effective handwashing, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, avoiding direct contacts, sneezing and coughing cautiously, staying physically active, among other preventive measures have been suggested by public health professionals to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Hence the need for the public to be well informed about Covid-19.

Information and knowledge sharing are easily done in this modern era than years past and it will still get better and easier with the passage of time.

However, the advent of social media and other forms of information sharing without verification of its authenticity has also brought about the throwing of junk and wrong information to the general public.

The World Health Organization warns the world about trending myths wrongfully propagated by people through diverse means. This misinformation can mislead people thereby increasing their risk to the spread of the disease.

A recent survey conducted by Leadccoach Consult, led by Emmanuel Kofi Bondah, Lead Researcher of Leadccoach Consult and a Public health researcher at Ensign College of Public Health, revealed interesting findings with regards to how Ghanaians scored when tested on these myths.

With the majority (74%) of Ghanaians believing they know “a lot” and a few saying they know “some or only a little” about Covid-19, the average score of Ghanaians who took the test on Covid-19 myths was 50%. Thus on average, Ghanaians believe in about half of the misinformation thrown out there to them. Social media (WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and radio/TV were the widely stated sources of information on Covid-19 among 88% and 59% of Ghanaians. Key myths that were wrongly believed by participants included the following:

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1. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body can kill the new coronavirus (37.5%)

2. Eating garlic helps prevent infection with the new coronavirus (36%)

3. Taking a hot bath can prevent the new coronavirus disease (33.4%)

4. COVID-19 virus cannot be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates (30%)

5. Regularly rinsing your nose with salt water help prevent infection with the new coronavirus (30%)

6. Antibiotics are effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus (23%)

7. Hand dryers are effective in killing the new coronavirus (27%).

The survey was completed by mainly males(53%), 18-30 years(76%), mostly with tertiary level education (88%) and currently living in Greater Accra(36%), Ashanti(19%), Central(14%) and all other regions(31%) of Ghana.

It is recommended that Ghanaians seek relevant information from credible authorities and that public health stakeholders address some of these misconceptions that are widely spread among Ghanaians.</video=95830>

Source: pulse.com.gh

The Director of Health Promotion at the Ghana Health Service, Dr Da Costa Aboagye has advised Television and Radio stations to stop advertising COVID-19 educational materials and videos that have not been approved by the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service.

Speaking to reporters after a press conference organised by the Ministry of Information, Dr Aboagye said unapproved materials and videos are sources of misinformation to the public and pose a serious threat to the fight against Covid-19.

According to Dr Aboagye, only COVID-19 public education materials and videos approved by the Ghana Health Service, should be circulated and used on social media platforms, television and radio stations for public consumption. This is to help avoid misinformation, panic and fear among Ghanaians. We are working with the Bureau of National Communications, the National Communication Authority, Ministry of Communication, Food and Drugs Authority and Security Agencies to enforce this.

“Training has been offered to most media houses on Risk communication and using approved materials has been stressed repeatedly. Information management and public education are crucial to the fight against COVID 19”, he revealed.

The Ghana Health Service has come up with a lot of educational materials and messages to inform the general public.

“All these educational materials have been made available to the ministry of information. Please contact the Ghana Health Service, Health Promotion Division or the Ministry of Information for these educational materials and videos to broadcast on your various outlets.

We are in sensitive times and therefore encourage the television and radio stations to follow our advocacy of partnership as we defeat the coronavirus together”, he stressed.

Source: mynewsgh.com