TIG Post

Tag: coronavirus in Ghana

  • Coronavirus: 1030 travelers on mandatory quarantine in Ghana

    A total of 1030 travellers are currently on mandatory quarantine in Ghana as part of measures to help curb the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Ghana.

    The 1030 travellers who arrived in Ghana in the last few days after air, land and sea borders closed are currently on mandatory quarantine in Ghana for 14 days.

    Out of the number,  611 samples have been taken and 185 has been processed and 25 tested positive

    The rest are yet to be tested.

     

    This is what is adding to the previous 27 cases as of Monday night to give Ghana a total of 52 cases with 2 deaths.

    It means Ghana is now having 50 existing cases which are being managed in isolation.

    The Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyeman Manu made this known at a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday morning.

    more to follow soon…

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Daily Guide: No messing around buddies!

    Some of us are hard at respecting constituted authority, especially when the big stick is not used.

    President Akufo-Addo will be constrained to resort to sanctions should the misconduct of some youth continue as his counterparts in the UK and elsewhere have threatened to do should the best anti-Covid-19 practices be ignored.

    The foolhardiness of some youth should not lead to the discomfort of others. This is simply unacceptable and should be stopped.

    Those whose breaches compromise the war we are waging against the virus should be isolated and dealt with.

    A few days ago, some young persons were engaged with impunity in a beach party in Accra as if for them the hue and cry is a mere much ado about nothing. Their activity caught the attention of many persons who put it out on social media.

    Thankfully, such social activities at the beach have been suspended by the relevant tourist authority.

    Some leaders of the many one-man churches in the country and a few mosques have also gone on that tangent by ignoring the ban of large gathering for the purpose of faith or social activities.

    Only those who have limited knowledge of the two great faiths of Islam and Christianity will ignore such government fiats.

    Those who ignore such fiats are set to aid the spread of the virus; their actions, therefore, not consistent with wisdom.

    Some leaders outside Ghana have been constrained to be hard on their compatriots where appeals have failed to work.

    We do not expect to hit a lockdown stage and to require the deployment of troops as others have done across Europe. This notwithstanding, those who intend defying constituted authorities should be dealt with accordingly since after all we are on uncharted waters.

    In fact, we are in a state of belligerence with an invisible enemy. That is why we must gird our loins and fight this together.

    There are a lot of lessons to be learnt from those who have managed to keep the pandemic at bay.

    Let us all not brook nonsense from any quarter as we prosecute this war.

    Disgruntled politicians too should understand that under such circumstances a united front is required. Hiding behind the pandemic to create parallel committees to, as it were, ostensibly confront the contagion presupposes a parallel government.

    Let us remove our party T-shirts and confront Covid-19. That is what Ghanaians demand now.

    The political language being used to win electoral sympathy which is what some are doing now is an insult to the people of this country. No messing around buddies because these are different times!

    Source: dailyguidenework.com

  • Chlorine solution was used to fumigate markets because it kills coronavirus – Alima Mahama

    Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, says Chlorine solution was used mainly for the fumigation of markets in Accra.

    She disclosed that according to the World Health Organization, Chlorine solution kills virus which coronavirus is not exempted.

    “The main aim of the fumigation exercise cleaning the markets and clearing rubbish. There were concerns about the substance we used, many thought it was harmful but it is just Chlorine solution. This substance according to WHO is used to kill viruses including coronavirus. Spraying will continue across the whole country”, she said at a press briefing.

    Markets in Accra and Tema were closed as fumigation exercise was carried out in these places.

    The government deployed the military personnel to supervise the disinfection of the various markets Accra today.

    They teamed up with officials of the Local Government Ministry and other agencies such as NACOB for the spraying exercise.

    The teams disinfected markets such as Makola, Agbogbloshie, Madina and the Tema market among others.

    Ghana has now recorded 27 confirmed cases and 2 deaths.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Ghana’s coronavirus cases rise to 52

    Health Minister Kwaku Agyemang Manu has said the number of coronavirus cases in Ghana has risen from 27 to 52.

    He made this disclosure at a presser in Accra, Tuesday.

    “Out of the 185 test results received, we have 25 of those quarantined tested positive. If you add on to the earlier number of 27, it means we have 52 tested positive in our country at the moment.

    “Those in quarantine, we have actually deployed psychologists to have chats with them. We are also in the process of handing them over to our case management teams we have set up. We have started taking them to isolated centres for case management,” the minister said.

    Out of the 52 confirmed cases, two persons have died.

    On March 18, 2020, information minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah announced that health experts had told government officials that the next two weeks will be critical in Ghana’s fight against the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

    Speaking to journalists, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said” the health experts tell us that the next two weeks are going to be critical in determining whether or not we are going to get significant community spread. They tell us that the general theory pandemic management is that often it is likely the numbers go up a bit before it curves or the situation gets better.

    “Therefore, they are bracing for the possibility of some limited recordings of more cases in the medium term but they continue to assure us that the systems they are putting together and continue to ramp-up are such that we will be able to contain it and hold this virus in check.”

    Oppong Nkrumah affirmed the government’s commitment in ensuring the safety of every citizen by ensuring that all the measures put in place to stop the spread of the virus are adhered to.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • COVID-19: Minority calls for suspension of parliamentary sittings

    The Minority side in Parliament wants parliamentary sittings suspended in the wake of the coronavirus.

    Eight Members of Parliament were on Monday told to self-quarantine after embarking on recent trips abroad.

    This brings to ten the total number of MPs who have been asked to isolate themselves.

    Speaking on Eyewitness News, the Member of Parliament for the Asawase constituency, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak indicated that the Minority had sent a memorandum to the Speaker of Parliament on Friday, March 20 among other things calling for the suspension of the House.

    According to him, he was surprised that Speaker said he has not received the memorandum yet.

    “I hope that by now the Speaker should have received it because I am aware that it was sent to his office on Friday. We are proposing a number of things including that the House suspends sittings because from how things are going, if you listen to other parliaments around the world and how the thing is escalating, one of our views is that why not rather look at what businesses are of urgent need so that they can be attended to then you can suspend the House.”

    “When we say suspend, that means we will not be rising. We will only not be meeting regularly but rather we will put the matters together and find a day where we will come and deal with them in bulk,” he said.

    The Minority Chief Whip also argued that instead of waiting for an MP or staff of the House to be tested positive which will lead to the closure of the entire House, the House should rather be suspended now.

    Parliament considers temporarily relocating to Accra International Conference Centre

    The leadership of Parliament is engaging the relevant authorities regarding a possible relocation of its business to the Accra International Conference Centre.

    This is to ensure that the House has enough room to practice the protocols associated with social distancing in a bid to deal with the spread of the novel Coronavirus pandemic.

    Already, the House has stepped up internal measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

    Addressing Members on Monday, the Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye announced interim sitting measures in the House in a bid to practice social distancing.

    “For the time being, we will want to leave one seat in between every two members so that you sit in a way that will be healthy for us and also we will be showing a good example…Meanwhile, we are in the process of making all relevant arrangements if we can relocate temporarily to the Conference Centre…And maybe these things will make people realize that Ghana is in need of more spacious space. In future, all these will be considered. As much as possible, leave one seat in between,” he said.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Coronavirus forces Auditor-General to suspend collection of Assets and Liabilities Forms

    The Office of the Auditor-General has suspended the collection of the Assets and Liabilities Declaration Forms in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.

    The Office said its regrets any inconvenience the suspension would cause to its stakeholders and officeholders.

    A statement signed and issued by Ama Awotwe-Bosumafi, Assistant Director of the Public Relations Unit, said it would resume the procedure as soon as the situation is normalised.

    “We advise all public office holders in the interim to ensure that all forms in their possession are completed in accordance with Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution and the Public Office Holders Declaration of Assets and Disqualification Act 1998, (Act 550),” it said.

    It added that the Service shall announce to the public in due course when the completed forms can be submitted and those yet to pick their forms can do so.

    It entreated the public to contact the following numbers for further enquiries: 0302664920/0244956768/0243317182.

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Roll out distance learning programmes now GNECC to government

    The Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) has asked the government to fast track the roll-out of distance learning programmes to assist students who are home due to the coronavirus outbreak.

    The group also asked the government to use the various media outlets to roll out the learning process.

    In a statement, Joseph Atsu Hoamdzi, the Interim Chairman, of GNECC said: “We urge the government to fast track the roll out of distance learning programmes on various media platforms to engage the children while at home.

    “We recommend the use of television and radio which have an extensive reach so that no child is left out of the learning process.”

    The statement added: “We also want the government to intensify public education on the various interventions being introduced to address the fallouts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “The government should make sure the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) is well-resourced to engage in excessive education on the pandemic nationwide”.

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Give workers flexible hours Public Service Commission

    The Public Services Commission has directed all public institutions to prioritise the health of public workers by providing flexible working hours as part of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

    In a memo, the Commission directed public service organisations to prepare their business continuity plan in accordance with the policy of flexible working hours.

    The Commission suggested measures such as shifts, rotations and annual leaves for public workers to reduce the number of workers reporting to the office.

    It also said national service personnel and interns could be granted their leave to stay at home.

    This forms part of efforts to obey directives by the President regarding social distancing and other measures to combat COVID-19.

    Ghana has recorded 27 cases of COVID-19 with two deaths.

    The government has, thus, banned all social gatherings including funerals, church and mosque services, festivals among others.

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Coconut seller sets up hand washing stand in Cape Coast

    A coconut seller has become the toast of social media users after mounting a handwashing stand near his selling point in a bid to help fight Coronavirus.

    Among the many pieces of advice from health professionals, the most important one has got to do with personal hygiene, particularly the washing of hands with soap and alcohol-based sanitizers.

    In his bid to help stop the spread of the disease, the coconut seller who is said to be based in Cape Coast decided to mount a handwashing stand for his customers.

    A photo sighted by YEN.com.gh shows the handwashing stand made with a veronica bucket and liquid soap standing right beside the seller’s joint which is located near the Atta Mills Library.

    According to Vishnu Quojo Dadzie Coleman who shared the photo on Facebook, this coconut seller mounted a handwashing basin where customers are directed to wash their hands with soap and running water before they enjoy their coconut.

    After sharing the photo in a Facebook group called Tell It All, many in the group showered praises on the coconut seller for doing the right thing.

    Meanwhile, Ghana has closed all of its borders to human traffic effective Sunday, March 22, 2020.

    The closure was announced by President Nana Akufo-Addo in a public broadcast on Saturday, March 21, 2020, According to Akufo-Addo, the move is to help reduce the importation of Coronavirus into the country.

    Source: Yen.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: We are running out of PPEs KCCR

    The Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) is running of Personal protective equipment (PPEs) in the wake of coronavirus in Ghana, a researcher with the facility has said.

    The Centre is one of the only two facilities with the capacity to test coronavirus cases in Ghana. Over 70 suspected cases of the virus have been tested at the facility

    Speaking to Francis Abban on the Morning Starr Tuesday, a Research Scientist at the centre Dr. Augustina Sylverken said they have informed the Ashanti regional health directorate about the impending shortage of the PPEs.

    “Our stock is depleting quick and we have already informed the region about it,” she said.

    On calls for a lock down of the country to avoid the spread of the virus, she said such a move should be based on scientific evidence and on accounts cases confirmed.

    Meanwhile, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has blamed government for the seeming spread of coronavirus in Ghana.

    According to the head of research of the TUC, Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, Ghana could have avoided some of the cases of covid-19 if government had taken the decision to shut the borders early.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • IMF predicts negative global growth in 2020

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the outlook for global growth for 2020 is negative at least a recession as bad as during the global financial crisis or worse.

    It, however, expects a recovery in 2021, adding: “To get there, it is paramount to prioritise containment and strengthen health systems—everywhere. The economic impact is and will be severe, but the faster the virus stops, the quicker and stronger the recovery will be.”

    This follows a statement on Monday after a conference call of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors.

    Managing Director of IMF, Kristalina Georgieva said: “The human costs of the Coronavirus pandemic are already immeasurable and all countries need to work together to protect people and limit the economic damage.

    She pointed out that: “We strongly support the extraordinary fiscal actions many countries have already taken to boost health systems and protect affected workers and firms. We welcome the moves of major central banks to ease monetary policy. These bold efforts are not only in the interest of each country but of the global economy as a whole. Even more will be needed, especially on the fiscal front”.

    Continuing, she said “advanced economies are generally in a better position to respond to the crisis, but many emerging markets and low-income countries face significant challenges.”

    On the way forward, Mrs Georgieva said the IMF is concentrating bilateral and multilateral surveillance on this crisis and policy actions to temper its impact.

    Additionally, the Fund will massively step up emergency finance, adding “nearly 80 countries are requesting our help—and we are working closely with the other international financial institutions to provide a strong coordinated response.”

    “These are extraordinary circumstances. Many countries are already taking unprecedented measures. We at the IMF, working with all our member countries, will do the same. Let us stand together through this emergency to support all people across the world.”

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: IES directs staff to work from home

    The Institute for Energy Security (IES) has directed all its staff to work from the house in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

    According to the IES, it will ensure it patrons, stakeholders and clients receive research-based analysis, information and projections on the energy industry across Ghana, Africa and the Globe.

    “As an award-winning Africa Energy Authority focused on the nexus between Energy demand and supply through research data analysis and advocacy; we are putting in place measures to give an in-depth coverage on happenings on the Energy market in these extraordinary times”, it said.

    It encouraged all to stay safe, calm and healthy in this abnormal time.

    The IES also extended its sympathy to all those affected by the pandemic.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • ‘Anibr3 3ns) gya’ – Nana Addo’s fashion choice for coronavirus address

    Ghana’s president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo addressed the nation on measures taken against the spread of coronavirus disease COVID-19 in the country.

    Nana Addo, in his address, outlined the plans of Ghana to close its borders for the next two weeks in a measure to curb the number of Coronavirus imported cases that keep rising.

    He also declared Wednesday, March 25, 2020, as a National Day of Fasting and Prayers, admonishing all Ghanaians to pray and seek favour in the eyes of God for Ghana.

    Despite the president’s address sparking mixed reactions from Ghanaians based on some of the things he said and Nana Addo’s message was widely welcome.

    One significant detail people missed during the nation’s address was the choice of fashion for His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    Known for his love for African print since becoming the leader of the West African country, Nana Addo has over and over again shown his love for culture.

    This culture was however taken to a different level to show Ghana how the health of the people was his topmost priority.

    The cloth for Nana Addo’s shirt on Saturday is called ‘Anibr3 3ns) gya na y3de nsuo 3dum no’ which loosely translates ‘Seriousness does not set the eye on fire to quench with water’ or ‘no matter how red the eye gets, it will never spark fire’.

    What the president sought to put across going by the choice of fabric was, irrespective of how serious he saw the matter at hand, it would be difficult to get a detailed view just by looking at him.

    Ghana’s culture speaks volume. And what the president did on Saturday was to emphasize without speaking a word that he was serious on halting the spread of coronavirus in Ghana.

    Source: Pulse.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Govt holds stakeholder sessions on public education drive

    Members of the Government of Ghana COVID-19 sensitization Team on Monday engaged teams from the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association, Ghana Journalists Association and Private Newspapers Association of Ghana with further sessions on sustaining public education on the pandemic.

    The engagements were held separately at the premises of the Ministry of Information and the International Press Center all in Accra.

    Government is using the engagements to primarily equip the media with the appropriate information on the outbreak of the pandemic in the country.

    The training programmes will be extended to all the regions within the week.

    Addressing the gathering, the General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr. Justice Yankson admonished the media to “as much as possible stick to the right professionals at all times. “You have the prerogative to invite people to your programmes but I think this time around you should scrutinize the level of the professionals before they come out to put information that throws all the good work that the nation is doing into a state of confusion. The first-to-report syndrome, in as much as it is a great asset for every media house, we think that this time, we should also be very circumspect the way we apply it”.

    In the wake of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the country, the Government has brought together both the media and medical fraternity in a bid to streamline the flow of information from health experts down to the vast majority of Ghanaians. Last week, the Government announced a collaboration with these key media umbrella bodies and the various Medical Associations in the country in order to make sure information is disseminated smoothly.

    This the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah pointed out that the essence of this collaboration is to “support and ensure that public education goes well so that when the public knows what to do, we are all better protected.”

    In addition, the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Medical Association distributed flyers, handbill materials and self-quarantine guides to educate the media and the congregation at large as to the rudiments of self-quarantine as well as the contact details of the Regional and National response team designated for communication on the Covid-19.

    Other speakers at the ceremony include Deputy Information Minister Hon. Pius Enam Hadzide, Presidential Advisor on Health Dr. Nsiah Asare, Deputy Health Minister Hon. Alexander Abban and Dr Aboagye Dacosta of the Risk Communication Dept of GHS.

    Source: Starrfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: No soldier has been infected – Military Command

    The Military High Command has debunked a social media report that some serving soldiers have been infected with the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    A statement signed by Colonel E. AggreyQuashie, the Director of Public Relations, Ghana Armed Forces, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, on Monday, said: “The attention of High Command was drawn to a false publication circulating on social media that alleged that some serving soldiers have contracted the Coronavirus.

    “We wish to inform the public that the story is false and should be disregarded”.

    It also cautioned those individuals involved in the publishing of fake news to desist from the practice.

    “At this sensitisation time in our national life, the collective effort of all and sundry should be aimed at sensitising the public on preventive measures against COVID-19, and not the spread of false information,” it advised.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus scare empties streets in Accra

    The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Ghana created empty streets in Accra on Monday.

    A visit by the Ghana News Agency on Monday afternoon to most principal streets within Ghana’s national capital, Accra showed empty streets across the city.

    The normally busy traffic route of the Independence Avenue was almost empty with few vehicles on it.

    Likewise the Ring Road East, Ring Road Central and Ring Road West were all traffic free.

    Furthermore, in other areas of the city, traffic was also fast moving.

    Mr Kofigah Quarshie, an Accra-Aflao bound commercial driver, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the COVID-19 outbreak has slowed down their business; stating that passengers were difficult to be found.

    Madam Lilly Kumah, a passenger, said she was happy that there was no traffic in Accra.

    She, however, said she was praying that God would eradicate the COVID-19 from the earth.

    Mr Daniel Ofori, a plantain chips vendor at the National Theatre Traffic Light, said as result of the free flow of traffic due to the COVID-19 scare, they were not getting passengers to buy their goods on the street.

    He explained that it was usually when the traffic in the city was heavy that they (the vendors) make money.

    Source: GNA

  • Disinfection of 137 markets generally successful MLGRD

    The disinfection exercise carried out in 137 markets in the Greater Accra Region, as part of efforts by the Government to contain the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the country was generally successful.

    Madam Matilda Tettey, Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLRD), said the exercise, which was carried out on Monday by the Ministry in collaboration with the various metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) in the Region was in line with the Presidential directive to enhance conditions of hygiene in the markets as a means of containing and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

    Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra at the end of the one day exercise, Madam Tettey said, across the Greater Accra Region, the disinfection teams received maximum cooperation from the market women.

    She lauded the market women, the security forces and the media for the support provided during the exercise, adding that all markets across the Region would be re-opened for business on Tuesday, March 24.

    Madam Tettey advised the market women to make good use of the Veronica buckets, which have been positioned in the markets; liquid soaps and other equipment provided by the Ministry to wash their hands as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.

    She urged them to also use hand sanitizers to help prevent the spread of the disease.

    Madam Tettey said regular handwashing with soap was a good hygienic practice, which would go a long way to prevent other contagious diseases like typhoid and cholera; also urged Ghanaians to make handwashing with soap a constant habit.

    Source: GNA

  • FDA has not registered RDTs for screening and diagnosis for coronavirus

    The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) says it has not registered any Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits (RDTs) for screening and diagnosis of Corona Virus (SARS-Cov-2) in Ghana.

    A statement signed Mrs Delese A. A. Darko, Chief Executive Officer, said the current tests for screening and diagnosis of the Coronavirus in the country, approved by the Ministry of Health is the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests.

    The statement said: “The FDA, guided by current global practices and advice from Eminent Ghanaian Scientists, is also not registering any such RDTs (Based on serology; antigen-antibody reaction) for self-test.

    This process will be guided by independently evaluated diagnostics as an assurance of quality. As evidence accumulates based on rigorous data, the FDA will update and/or amend this guidance as appropriate and necessary in the interest of public health and patient protection.”

    It said the FDA entreats all prospective applicants to be guided appropriately.

    It appealed to the public to direct all concerns regarding the use of Rapid Test Kits for Coronavirus and other FDA regulated products to 0299802932, www.fdaghana.gov.gh, fdaghana among others.

    It urged the public to comply with safety measures such as handwashing, sanitizing, social distance, avoiding handshake and touching of the face.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghanaian beaches shut over coronavirus outbreak

    The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has ordered all beaches in the country to close down with immediate effect.

    This is to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 disease of which Ghana had so far recorded 24 confirmed cases with one death.

    A statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Akwasi Agyemang, copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the decision was a precautionary measure taken to avoid public gathering.

    It warned that, “The GTA with support of the National Security and Ghana Police Service will begin patrols of the beaches from Tuesday, March 24, to ensure compliance with the directive”.

    The statement further advised the public and tourist facility operators to be mindful of the precautionary measure since it was in their own interest.

    Source: GNA

  • Accelerate efforts to serve people who lack access to water – World Vision

    World Vision Ghana (WV) has called on government to accelerate efforts to ensure that all Ghanaians have access to potable water.

    A statement issued Mr Washington Nuworkpor, the Communications Manager of the WV Ghana and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said many women and children still travel long distances in search of non-existent clean water.

    It said many schools and healthcare facilities lack sustainable access to clean water and dignified sanitation and the situation tends to have negative implications for maternal and child health, learning, nutritional outcomes, productivity and the general well-being of children and their families.

    The statement appealed to government to prioritise and increase investments towards universal access to safe water.

    “It is quite problematic that while access to basic drinking water in Greater Accra is 98 per cent, it is only 50 per cent in Northern Region; and the Upper East, Upper West, Western and Eastern regions are below the national average in terms of access to safe water,” it said.

    Making reference to various studies, it said, the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey conducted between 2017 and 2018 revealed that close to eight in every ten households had faecal contamination in drinking water, while close to half of all water sources were affected.

    It said there is the need for state and agencies to fully implement the National Drinking Water Quality Framework (NDWQF) to ensure health and safety of people.

    “We are concerned that the current levels of investment in safe water does not match the ever-increasing demand, and if current trends continue, we may not address the shortfall anytime soon, the statement said.

    “It is worrying that at a time Ghanaians needed water the most to practice appropriate handwashing as a means to combat the spread of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, there are widespread water shortages across the country resulting in acute rationing”.

    The statement on the occasion of World Water Day 2020, called on the state to institute measures to ameliorate the adverse effects of climate change and the wanton pollution of water bodies on sustainable access to safe drinking water.

    The statement urged the public to make judicious use of water, ensure strict self-discipline, adhere to prescribed social distancing and practice enhanced hygiene as a preventive measure to contain the disease.

    Source: GNA

  • ‘Africa needs emergency stimulus package and interest waivers’

    Africa needs an immediate emergency economic stimulus to the tune of $100 billion and waiver of all interest payments, estimated at $44 billion for 2020 in view of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    African Ministers of Finance made this call in a virtual conference arranged by the Economic Commission for Africa from its Addis Ababa Headquarters, where they further asked for the possible extension of the waiver to the medium term, which would provide immediate fiscal space and liquidity to the Governments, in their efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    In a release copied to the Ghana News Agency, the Ministers requested interest payments waiver to include not only interest payments on public debt, but also on sovereign bonds.

    For fragile states, the Ministers agreed on the need to consider waiving principal and interest and encourage the use of existing facilities in the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), African Development Bank (AfDB) and other regional institutions.

    They underscored the need to support the private sector and protect the over 30 million jobs at risk, particularly in the tourism and airline sectors across the continent.

    In other critical sectors including agriculture, imports and exports, pharmaceuticals and in banking, the Ministers agreed that all interest and principal payments on corporate debt, leases, extended credit facilities, refinancing schemes and guarantee facilities should be used to waive, restructure and provide additional liquidity in 2020.

    A liquidity line should also be made available to the private sector to ensure the continuity of essential purchases and all SMEs that were dependent on trade can continue to function.

    These measures, it was agreed, must accompany a policy of opening borders for trade.

    In this regard, the Ministers noted that Europe and the United States, in particular, can build this in as part of their stimulus to their private and financial systems.

    As part of an immediate health response, they asked for coordinated response in logistics and delivery of testing equipment.

    The Ministers emphasised the need to work with the World Health Organisation and existing continental institutions, in particular, the African Union and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, while making maximum use of existing systems and funding partners, such as the Global Fund.

    Particular attention should be placed on fragile states and vulnerable populations, especially women and children and those living in informal urban settlements.

    Given the limited health infrastructure and the fact that most of the pharmaceuticals and medical supplies consumed in Africa were imported, the Ministers called on the international community to support the upgrade of the health infrastructure and to provide direct support to the existing facilities.

    The Ministers noted that even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa was already experiencing a huge financing gap in funding measures and programmes aimed at realising SDGs and Agenda 2063 targets and goals without which the pandemic will have major and adverse implications on African economies and the society at large.

    The original economic forecasts in most economies were on average, being downgraded by two to three percentage points for 2020 due to the pandemic.

    Source: GNA

  • Auditor-General suspends collection of assets and liabilities forms

    The Office of the Auditor-General has suspended the collection of the Assets and Liabilities Declaration Forms in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19.

    The Office regrets any inconvenience the suspension would cause to its stakeholders and office holders.

    A statement signed and issued by Ama Awotwe-Bosumafi, Assistant Director of the Public Relations Unit, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said it would resume the procedure as soon as the situation was normalised.

    “We advise all public office holders in the interim to ensure that all forms in their possession are completed in accordance with Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution and the Public Office Holders Declaration of Assets and Disqualification Act 1998, (Act 550),” it said.

    It said the Service shall announce to the public in due course when the completed forms could be submitted and those yet to pick their forms could do so.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Restructure loans to save SMEs from collapse Minority

    The Minority Caucus has called on the government to immediately put in measures that will provide some relief for small and medium scale enterprises as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic.

    Interacting with some journalists on behalf of the Minority Caucus on the sidelines of Parliamentary sitting on Monday, March 23, 2020, the Ranking Member on the Committee on Trade & Industry and Tourism, Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, said even though government has started engaging captains of industry on how best they could support their business, an initiative he commended, he said players in the SME sector must be engaged by managers of the economy to see how best their businesses could be supported.

    Hon. Kofi-Buah who is also the NDC MP for Ellembele, said the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic on the Ghanaian economy both short and long term, will be dire, thereby, necessitating urgent support to prevent them from collapsing.

    For instance, he said the Ministry of Finance together with the Bank of Ghana should engage players in the financial sector, especially, the various banks to see how best they could repackage the loans contracted by the small and medium scale business to enable them stay in business.

    That notwithstanding, he said interest rates should also be reviewed and scaled down for players in the SME sector.

    “Government must be commended for taking bold measures by engaging captains of industry, thus the Association of Ghana Industries. It has also engaged players in the pharmaceutical industry which is a step in the right direction. However, it must make public the outcome of these engagements. We in the Minority would also like the government to put in place measures that will support small and medium scale businesses stay in business in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic. Loans must be restructured and spread considering the impact the coronavirus will have on our economy in the short and long terms. They must also see how best they could reduce interest rate. All these will help our brothers and sisters in the SME sector stay in business”, he noted.

    Source: kasapafmonline.com

  • STMA sets committee to implement directives on coronavirus

    The Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly has constituted a committee to ensure surveillance and strict adherence to all directives issued by the President on Sunday evening.

    The Committee would work to ensure that all church activities conducted in classrooms were suspended, ensure the closure of some old public places of convenience and washrooms, fumigation of markets and the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at the various Sub-Metros.

    Mr. Anthony K. K. Sam, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, said the Assembly had therefore suspended the issuance of permit for large gathering such as funerals, weddings, Party rallies among others.

    “In this period, normal church and mosques activities and street preaching have also been suspended”.

    Mr. Sam added that all the 181 public and private schools in the Metropolis have been closed.

    Meanwhile, the Assembly as an exemplary step, has provided personal hygiene materials at the two main gates of the facility for the use of visitors.

    The Assembly has also provided canopies as holding areas for visitors to wait in turn for their services while such PPEs would be made available at the various lorry terminals in the Metropolis.

    Mr Sam said that the Assembly had enough PPEs to handle the situation.

    The MCE encouraged parents to take proper care of their children in this trying times to avoid their exposure to the virus.

    “We are prepared to go the extra mile to work around the clock in this trying times,” Mr. Sam added.

    In the meantime, Dr. Tachie-Menson, the Metropolitan Health Director, said the three main hospitals in the Metropolis have put in place preparedness measures in case of any emergency.

    He said, “Like the President said, we are not in ordinary times and all of us must be wary of this and protect ourselves”.

    Mrs. Elizabeth Akouko, the Metropolitan Director of Education, pleaded with parents to keep the children indoors, “engage them, prepare food for them, give them home-works, so that they may enjoy their stay.

    “Let us not assume anything…help and guide them to stay indoors, God will indeed help us but we must be wise,” she added.

    Source: GNA

  • WHO warns public about criminals impersonating the organisation

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned the public to be aware of some criminals disguising themselves as the WHO, to steal money and sensitive information.

    It said these criminals often use emails, websites, phone calls, text and fax messages for scams and urged people to clarify the legitimacy of such communications by contacting WHO directly.

    It advised that any contact by a person or organisation that appears to be from the WHO must be verified for their authenticity before responding.

    In a publication on its website, the WHO said it would never ask for username or password to access safety information and advised the public against emailing attachments they did not ask for.

    It also said the WHO would never ask anyone to visit a link outside of www.who.int, or charge money to apply for a job, register for a conference, or reserve a hotel, and neither would it conduct lotteries or offer grants, prizes, certificate or funding through emails.

    It said the only call for donations WHO has issued, was the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, and that any other appeal for funding or donations that appeared to be from WHO was a scam.

    The WHO is aware of suspicious email messages attempting to take advantage of the COVD-19 emergency, a fraudulent action known as “Phishing”, by which these criminals ask people to give out sensitive information such as usernames or passwords, or request users to click a malicious link or open an attachment.

    In preventing phishing, individuals are advised to verify if the sender had an email address such as ‘person@who.int’ and if there was anything other than ‘who.int’ after the ‘@’ symbol, then the sender was not from WHO.

    For example the WHO does not send email from addresses ending in ‘@who.com’, ‘@who.org’, or ‘@who-safety.org’.

    It urged users to make sure that the link stated with ‘https://www.who.int’, or to better still, navigate to the WHO website directly, by typing ‘https://www.who.int’ into their browser.

    The WHO further advised people to be careful when providing personal information, not to rush or feel under pressure as cyber criminals often would use emergencies such as the COVID-19, to get people to make decisions quickly.

    It urged all who have given such sensitive information to criminals, to immediately change their credentials on each site where they had used them and quickly report it to the WHO.

    Source: GNA

  • Don’t allow your children to sell on the street Deputy Minister

    Mrs. Freda Prempeh, the Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, on Monday advised parents and guardians not to allow their children and wards to hawk and sell on the streets to protect them from contracting Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    She also urged them to teach their children proper handwashing with soap.

    Mrs. Prempeh who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North indicated that children were vulnerable and allowing them to hawk and sell sachet water and other items on the streets exposed them to avoidable dangers.

    Speaking in an interview with the GNA on the sidelines of a short presentation ceremony at Goaso in the Asunafo North Municipality, Mrs. Prempeh indicated that though children had strong immune systems to fight diseases, parents must also restrict their movements so that they would not be contaminated.

    The Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council presented items such as Veronica buckets, washing bowls, medicated soaps, litter bins and sanitizers to the Municipal/District Assemblies in the Region to be distributed to public institutions to aid hand washing.

    Mrs. Prempeh applauded the level of public education on the COVID-19, and commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for measures put in place to control the spread of the disease.

    She said public education and precautionary measures on COVID-19 must be extended and intensified in rural communities to protect rural dwellers as well.

    Mrs. Prempeh said Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) should also not be left out or neglected from the public education on the disease and called on the Municipal and District Assemblies to ensure that education on COVID-19 go down well with them.

    The MP said she had bought 5,000 sanitizers and 100 Veronica buckets and soaps to be distributed in her constituency.

    Mrs. Prempeh called on the media to be circumspect and ensure that their publications on the COVID-19 did not stigmatize infected people.

    She also urged Assembly Members and traditional authorities to collaborate with health services to help improve on sanitation in the localities.

    Mr. Evans Opoku-Bobie, the Ahafo Regional Minister, emphasised that the RCC would monitor and ensure that the items were being used to benefit the general public.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: National Labour Commission suspends all hearings

    The National Labour Commission (NLC) has from Monday, March 23, suspended all hearings of the Commission and facilitation meetings until further notice.

    A statement signed by Dr Bernice A. Welbeck, Director of Administration and Human Resources, NLC, which was copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the decision was as a result of the COVID-19 virus outbreak and the advice by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Ministry of Health and other governmental agencies to observe the necessary protocols, which among others include regular hand washing with soap and social distancing.

    “We shall duly notify you when we resume the hearings/meetings. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted,” it added.

    source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: No soldier has been infected – Military Command

    The Military High Command has debunked a social media report that some serving soldiers have been infected with the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    A statement signed by Colonel E. AggreyQuashie, the Director of Public Relations, Ghana Armed Forces, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, on Monday, said: “The attention of High Command was drawn to a false publication circulating on social media that alleged that some serving soldiers have contracted the Coronavirus.

    “We wish to inform the public that the story is false and should be disregarded”.

    It also cautioned those individuals involved in the publishing of fake news to desist from the practice.

    “At this sensitisation time in our national life, the collective effort of all and sundry should be aimed at sensitising the public on preventive measures against COVID-19, and not the spread of false information,” it advised.

    Source: GNA

  • Akim Oda police assures passengers of safety

    Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Edmund Agyekum, the Birim Central Municipal Commander for the Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU), has said the police would ensure that drivers in the municipality comply with the directives on transportation to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

    ASP Agyekum at a media briefing explained that the directives require that drivers keep hand sanitizers in their vehicles for passengers, clean surfaces of seats and door handles with disinfectant, provide Veronica buckets with tippy taps and soap at vantage points at the lorry parks to ensure drivers and passengers safety.

    In a related development, Mr James Avoka, the Birim Central Municipal Health Director, cautioned the public against body grooming at the wayside salon.

    He urged Ghanaians to adhere to the medical directives against the spread of the coronavirus which include sterilisation of equipment at the salon, the usage of hand sanitizers, gloves and covering the mouth and nose.

    Mr Avoka gave the advice during a Municipal Security Council (MuSeC) and stakeholders meeting at Akim Oda.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghana Red Cross Society encourages personal safety measures

    The Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS) in collaboration with the Swiss Red Cross has reiterated the need for Ghanaians to maintain safety precautions in order to help combat the outbreak of the coronavirus.

    Frequent washing of hands with soap under running water, use of hand sanitizers, avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth and maintaining a reasonable distance between individuals are some basic protective measures being advocated by the GRCS.

    Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga, Mr Paul Wooma, the Upper East Regional Manager of GRCS, said adhering to advice from experts in these extraordinary times was one major way to prevent the virus from escalating.

    He said as part of efforts to combat the pandemic, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Swiss Red Cross were working closely to support GRCS to organise media campaign on the virus.

    The GRCS as a humanitarian institution would work closely with the government to ensure that the virus was contained in Ghana, he added.

    He said the National Disaster Management Unit of the Red Cross was organizing meetings to sensitize stakeholders in the various regions on effective measures that had to be taken to control the spread of the virus.

    Mr Wooma said at the Regional level, they had re-activated volunteer groups in the various districts to do community sensitization to ensure that individuals were rightly informed on how to protect themselves.

    The Regional Manager said GRCS had erected a handwashing facility in front of their office to cater for persons and institutions that may not have access to those facilities.

    Mr Wooma commended government for taking measures to bring the situation under control and urged citizens to comply with the directives.

    Source: GNA

  • Ho market women appeal for more handwashing stations

    Market women in the Ho Central Market have appealed to the Ho Municipal Assembly for more hand washing stations in the Market to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

    The Market, which has four gates and accessed by thousands of people daily, had only two handwashing station and one dust bin donated by the Ho Municipal Assembly to help prevent the spread of the virus.

    Mrs. Joyce Norvihoho, Ho Market Queen, speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said each gate of the market needed at least two handwashing stations, and also appealed for refuse bins at other vantage points in the market.

    She said though market women had been advised to practice personal hygiene and self-hand washing regularly, the unavailability of the facilities would affect the campaign negatively.

    Mrs. Norvihoho said, “The market is where we all shop and meet, so it is good we have these items for all of us to use, so we are appealing to the Assembly and benevolent individuals and organisations to help provide the Market with more hand washing stations”.

    Mr. Prosper Pi-Bansa, Ho Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), told GNA “the Assembly has few hand washing stations to distribute and will add more when available”.

    Source: GNA

  • Madina markets fumigated

    Markets within the La Nkwantanang Madina Municipal Assembly were fumigated as part of the nationwide disinfection exercise being conducted by local government authorities.

    Mr Joseph Quacoe, the Municipal Environmental Health Officer, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said fumigating such areas is important as they easily become habitats for mosquitoes, rats, snakes and other disease vectors.

    He said the incidence of the novel coronavirus in the country also necessitated the disinfection exercise which was conducted on Monday morning and markets disinfected include the Madina VRA lorry station, the Madina Central Market, the New Road Market, the Madina Redco Market and stores around the Madina Zongo Junction.

    Mr Quacoe said the chemicals for the exercise were supplied by the Ministry of Local Government and the entire effort was supported by the Madina Police Command, the Ghana Armed Forces, Zoomlion Sprayers, the National Ambulance Service and the sanitation staff of the LaNkwantanang Madina Municipal Assembly.

    He said six traders who refused to comply with the directive not to open their stores were arrested by the police.

    He said the entire effort was superintended by Madam Elizabeth Naa Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, Deputy Regional Minister; she was assisted by Madam Jennifer Dede, the MCE for LaNkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly; and Mr Archibold Cobbena, the NADMO Regional Director.

    Source: GNA

  • WHO warns public about criminals impersonating the organisation

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned the public to be aware of some criminals disguising themselves as the WHO, to steal money and sensitive information.

    It said these criminals often use emails, websites, phone calls, text and fax messages for scams and urged people to clarify the legitimacy of such communications by contacting WHO directly.

    It advised that any contact by a person or organisation that appears to be from the WHO must be verified for their authenticity before responding.

    In a publication on its website, the WHO said it would never ask for username or password to access safety information and advised the public against emailing attachments they did not ask for.

    It also said the WHO would never ask anyone to visit a link outside of www.who.int, or charge money to apply for a job, register for a conference, or reserve a hotel, and neither would it conduct lotteries or offer grants, prizes, certificate or funding through emails.

    It said the only call for donations WHO has issued, was the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, and that any other appeal for funding or donations that appeared to be from WHO was a scam.

    The WHO is aware of suspicious email messages attempting to take advantage of the COVD-19 emergency, a fraudulent action known as “Phishing”, by which these criminals ask people to give out sensitive information such as usernames or passwords, or request users to click a malicious link or open an attachment.

    In preventing phishing, individuals are advised to verify if the sender had an email address such as ‘person@who.int’ and if there was anything other than ‘who.int’ after the ‘@’ symbol, then the sender was not from WHO.

    For example the WHO does not send email from addresses ending in ‘@who.com’, ‘@who.org’, or ‘@who-safety.org’.

    It urged users to make sure that the link stated with ‘https://www.who.int’, or to better still, navigate to the WHO website directly, by typing ‘https://www.who.int’ into their browser.

    The WHO further advised people to be careful when providing personal information, not to rush or feel under pressure as cyber criminals often would use emergencies such as the COVID-19, to get people to make decisions quickly.

    It urged all who have given such sensitive information to criminals, to immediately change their credentials on each site where they had used them and quickly report it to the WHO.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Drinking spots cash in as churches shut down in Kpone Katamanso

    Several drinking bars in the Nmlitsakpo electoral area, Kpone-Katamanso Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, struggled to cope with patrons on Sunday, when churches shut down.

    Churches and mosques had shut down to observe the presidential directive against large gathering, measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.

    The GNA further observed that, there were no preventive measures in place at the various bars such as hand washing basins, soaps, sanitizers as well as social distancing as they hugged, cuddled and danced to loud music.

    Meanwhile, The Ghana News Agency (GNA) can confirm that, the churches, on the other hand, observed the directives given by the President Nana Ado Danquah Akuffo-Addo to close down churches as part of measures to help prevent further spread of the coronavirus disease

    Some of the Churches the GNA visited in the Nmlitsakpo electoral area included; The Christ Apostolic Church International,(CACI), the Church of Pentecost(C.O.P) Assemblies of God Church, Action Chapel, The Greener Pasture Full Gospel Church, Christ Redemption Church, Beauty of Zion church, Royal House Chapel among other churches.

    The GNA again observed that some of the churches had smaller cell meetings as they ensured there was a reasonable distance between members.

    Pastor James Teye Nartey, Saki Circuit head pastor of the Christ Apostolic Church International, told the GNA that, the best way to overcome the spread was to adhere to the Preventive measures put in place.

    He added that God could heal the land again if Christians would summit to the creator.

    Source: GNA

  • South Africa announce 21 days of total lockdown as COVID-19 cases rise to 402

    The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a lockdown of the country.

    Cases of coronavirus keeps going high and reacting to the increased cases, Cyril Ramaphosa has taken a extreme measure.

    The country will undergo 21 days of lockdown from Thursday 26 March 2020, the 2nd country to do that after Rwanda.

    With 402 confirmed cases of coronavirus already everyone in the country is expected to stay indoors with the 21 days of the lockdown.

  • Ghana’s Coronavirus cases rise to 27, two deaths

    Three more confirmed cases of the global pandemic, coronavirus have been recorded, Ghana Health Service has said.

    The number of active cases, however, is 25.

    All the twenty-five confirmed cases are receiving treatment in isolation.

    A statement on the Ghana Health Service website indicated that “As of 23rd March 2020, [14:00 GMT] a total of 521 suspected cases have been tested for COVID-19 by Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR).

    “Among the confirmed cases, twenty are of Ghanaian nationality, the majority of whom returned home from affected countries. Seven are of other nationals namely: Norway, Lebanon, China, France, UK.”

    In respect of contact tracing, a total of 598 contacts have been identified and are being tracked.

    One of the contacts developed symptoms and has been confirmed positive.

    Nineteen people have completed the 14 days of mandatory follow up.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Chinese who tested positive for Coronavirus in Kumasi resisted testing – GHS

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has revealed that the Chinese national who tested positive for the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Kumasi last week initially resisted being tested.

    He is a 27-year-old Chinese national who travelled outside Ghana and returned recently.

    He is among the 24 confirmed cases in Ghana which has already been announced by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) with one death.

    He fell ill and residents in the Chirapatre area where he lived upon seeing the symptoms suspected him and reported to the health officials to intervene since he was refusing to go to the hospital.

    But when the health officials approached him in his home, he resisted medical assistance and refused to be tested.

    He is said to have also refused to comply with the protocols in handling suspected cases of the Coronavirus disease.

    It took the intervention of the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) with armed security personnel including police and military to forcibly take him to the hospital.

    Even after that, he is said to have refused to comply with the protocols in transporting patients to the hospital and the armed security personnel had to step in to forcibly remove him from his home to the hospital where he tested positive for the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and is currently being treated, under-armed guard.

    This was made known by the Ashanti Regional Directorate of the GHS at a press briefing in Kumasi on Monday, March 23, 2020.

    The Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Emmanuel Tinkorang who revealed this said: “sometimes there is the need to break confidentiality using the Chirapatre issue as a test case.”

    “Infact, this is a person [Chinese national] who had been sick at home and everybody realised that from the signs and symptoms, and from the travel history, this may be one of the conditions. So we [health officials] were alerted and our team went there and then, we realised that, that is the situation but he was still refusing, but we can’t put the public in any danger and for that reason, we had to call REGSEC [and] the security agencies to support us to convey him to the hospital and truly when we tested, he was positive. So you know that in situations like this, though human rights and other confidentiality issues are very important, but public health is also the key, so if you are not conforming to the public health principles, we have to apply all force,” Dr Tinkorang said.

    The move by the Chinese national has thrown the Atonsu and Chirapatre area in Kumasi to some sort of fears especially with people who may have unknowingly come into contact.

    The Chinese national is actually in charge of a production company in the area.

    Dr Tinkorang in allaying the fears of the public said contact tracing in the Chirapatre case had been done.

    “As at now, the patient involved is on admission at one of our hospitals and we’ve isolated that person. All the contacts have been identified and we are monitoring them. Those who are staying around and you are not contacts, you don’t have to fear. We are saying that the contacts are close contacts so for instance, if you are staying next door and you’ve not come into contact with that person, you are not a contact. The next house is not a contact, if your name is not on the contact list then it means that you’ve not been identified as a contact.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

     

  • Lock down Ghana to stop COVID-19 spread if necessary TUC to government

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has called on government to adopt what it described as “more aggressive measures” to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.

    According to the TUC, government should consider a total lockdown if necessary.

    “Mr. President, the risk of spread of the virus in Ghana remains high. We need more aggressive measures to protect the people from this deadly virus, including a lockdown if that is what is needed to protect the people,” TUC noted in a letter to President Nana Akufo-Addo signed by its General Secretary, Dr. Yaw Baah.

    Although the TUC commended the government for the measures so far put in place to combat the virus, it in the letter appealed to government to equip frontline health officials with the necessary equipment.

    Free sanitizers 

    TUC also urged government to provide Ghanaians with free sanitizers or subsidize the prices of the produces to make them affordable for everyone.

    “Only workers performing essentials services should be allowed to work but they should be adequately protected from the infection. The Pharmaceuticals industry and others that produce basic household supplies must be given financials and fiscals incentives to increase production. We strongly suggest that the government should provide sanitizers to all residents in Ghana free of charge or they should be subsidized to make them affordance to everyone, regardless of their income levels,” TUC pleaded in the letter.

    Coronavirus cases in Ghana

    The novel coronavirus cases recorded in Ghana have risen to 24.

    “Twenty-three of the confirmed cases are receiving treatment in isolation and one of the cases who had an underlying chronic pulmonary condition prior to having COVID-19 died [on Saturday, March 21],” the Ghana Health Service said in an update.

    The remaining 23 infected persons “are being managed in isolation, and are doing well on treatment,” the service added.

    Lockdown Greater Accra, Ashanti Regions

    The Bureau of Public Safety had earlier called for an “immediate discriminated lockdown” of the Greater Accra and the Ashanti Regions to check the spread of COVID-19.

    “With the list of traceable contacts increasing by the day in their hundreds, the task of tracing and effectively monitoring contacts may become overwhelming as confirmed cases increase by the day.”

    To cushion Ghanaians in the regions that could be affected by a lockdown, it further recommended that “Government immediately works out a social support package for population groups that may be hard hit by these measures.”

    “While these actions will definitely have a negative impact on the economy in the immediate to short term, our country and its citizens stand to benefit in the medium to long term as we collectively work to break the chain of COVID-19 infections,” it added.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Rapid diagnostic test kits for coronavirus not registered FDA warns

    The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned the general public that it has not registered any Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits (RDTs) for screening and diagnosis of Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in Ghana.

    “The current tests for screening and diagnosis of the Coronavirus in Ghana, approved by the Ministry of Health is the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests,” the FDA said in a statement.

    The statement said the FDA, guided by current global practices and advise from eminent Ghanaian scientists, is also not registering any such RDTs (based on serology; antigen-antibody reaction) for self-test.

    “This process will be guided by independently evaluated diagnostics as an assurance of quality. As evidence accumulates based on rigorous data, the FDA will update and/or amend this guidance as appropriate and necessary in the interest of public health and patient protection,” it pointed out.

    It asked that all concerns regarding the use of rapid test kits for coronavirus and any other FDA regulated products should be directed to the following contacts: 0299802932, WhatsApp 0206973065, www.fdaghana.gov.gh, Instagram: fdaghana_, Facebook: fdaghana or twitter: fdaghana .

    “To ensure your safety and protection against Covid-19, you are all reminded to strictly comply with the safety measures put out by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana (including handwashing, sanitizing, social distance, avoiding handshake and touching of face)”, it advised.

     

    Source: 3news.com

  • COVID-19 marriage: Ghanaian couple go-ahead to marry with only seventeen people in attendance -Video

    On March 15, 2020, President Akufo-Addo during his second briefing to the citizenry about measures the government is taking to minimize the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease placed a ban on any social gathering that will have more than twenty-five people in attendance.

    This meant that parties, attending church/mosque, funerals, big outdoor events, weddings, and the likes were going to be greatly affected.

    Well, it seems this Ghanaian couple, whose video has been chanced on by zionfelix.net does not really care about all of that.

    They went ahead to have their very simple but very interesting wedding ceremony somewhere in Ghana.

    In the video, I can could roughly about seventeen people at the venue, which means they did not go against the law.

    The people also made sure that they obey the social distancing rule by setting quite apart from each other at the venue.

    This is certainly a great way to cut down cost right? Anyway, check out the beautiful video below

  • Coronavirus: Parliament to temporarily relocate to AICC

    The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has hinted that the Legislature is likely to relocate to the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) to enable MPs to heed to the Social distancing measures.

    According to the Speaker, the Conference centre is spacious and would allow all parliamentarians to properly observe the measures against the spread of the COVID-19 disease.

    “As the Majority Leader suggested the other day, we are in the process of making all relevant arrangements if we can relocate temporarily to the conference centre…and carry on. Maybe this would make people realise that Parliament is in need of a more spacious place,” the Speaker of Parliament said on Monday.

    Coronavirus cases in Ghana have jumped to 24 from 21, as of Sunday evening.

    The update was posted on the government website dedicated to matters concerning the virus.

    Details of the new cases have not been disclosed.

    Among the confirmed cases, seventeen (17) are of Ghanaian nationality and seven (7) other nationals namely: Norway, Lebanon, China, France, UK.

    With regards to contact tracing, a total of 575 contacts have been identified and are being tracked.

     

    Source: Starrfm.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: 3 persons quarantined in the Ashanti region

    Three persons suspected to have contracted the coronavirus have been quarantined in the Ashanti region.

    Chief Executive Officer of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr. Oheneba Owusu Danso, said samples have been taken from them for testing.

    Dr. Danso disclosed this at a press conference organised but the regional health directorate in Kumasi, today, Monday, 23 March 2020.

    The nation has recorded 24 cases of the coronavirus with one death.

    Out of the number recorded, four of the cases are from the Ashanti region.

    Dr. Danso advised Ghanaians not to depend solely on hand sanitizers but ensure that they clean their hands regularly and adhere to social distancing and other precautionary tips.

    He also entreated Ghanaians to take more fruits and vegetables to build their immune system to withstand diseases.

    For his part, the Regional Health Director, Dr. Emmanuel Tenkorang, also advised the aged to self isolate themselves and stop hugging people to protect themselves from the disease.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Bureau of Public Safety calls for partial lockdown of regions battling coronavirus cases

    The Bureau of Public Safety is calling for a partial lockdown of regions that has recorded coronavirus cases in the country.

    So far, the Ashanti and Greater Accra Regions have recorded cases of the global pandemic.

    Currently, the number of Covid-19 positive cases in Ghana has risen to 24 with one death recorded.

    In a radio interview monitored by primenewsghana.com, Research and Advocacy Director at the Bureau of Public Safety, Etornam Kordah called for a partial lockdown of the two regions as part of measures to contain the rapid spread of Covid-19 in Ghana

    ”The need for a lockdown being that, we looked at so many happenings around the world and looked at the trend in Ghana. One thing we realized is that, the cases keep increasing and its not wise wanting to record higher numbers in the hundreds before we announce lockdown. We are looking at the regions that has recorded cases of Covid-19 so we may not call int a total national lockdown but a partial lockdown for these two regions”.

    On his part, Research Scientist at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Dr Michael Owusu advised government in hastily announcing lockdown contrary to suggestions by some experts

    ”A lot has to go for a lockdown, I don’t think for what am seeing we are prepared. This shouldn’t be rushed because lockdown involves a lot of thinking and structural planning to enable us to do this. A lot of people in Ghana are in the informal sector hat if they don’t go to the market to sell they will not get anything. So the various governments, DCEs must begin to have a plan”.

    Dr. Owusu also warned for a possible increase in cases of the coronavirus following some community infections. He added more than half of Ghana’s population could be exposed to the deadly virus if the necessary precautions are not adhered to.

    However, as part of strengthening the measures to prevent a rapid spread COVID-19 cases, markets in the Greater Accra Region will be fumigated today March 23, 2020.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • I was invited for coronavirus prayers but I left Owusu Bempah

    General Overseer of Glorious Word Power Ministries International Prophet Isaac Owusu Bempah has cleared the air on the recently held breakfast prayer meeting hosted at the Jubilee House by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    The man of God says he was invited and he was even there before the meeting started.

    But he left for an equally important assignment, he disclosed on Onua FMs Yen Sempa on Monday, March 23.

    He said he even returned to the presidency, hoping to join the clergy but the meeting had ended.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo called for a meeting with the various heads of religious bodies to hold a prayer session at the Jubilee House in Accra on Thursday, March 19, 2020 amidst the growing cases of the deadly coronavirus in the country.

    Present at the meeting included members of the Christian Council, Bishop Conference, Rev. Eastwood Anaba, Archbishop Duncan Williams, among others.

    Source: 3news.com

  • Coronavirus is real – Elikem Kumordzie

    Fashion designer and actor, Elikem Kumordzie has taken to social media to advise Ghanaians to take the coronavirus seriously, saying it is real.

    Elikem who is one of the people that have been quarantined by government, shared a video of his experience after he and others were quarantined when they touched down at the airport.

    “I am in a government quarantine, and I want to bring your mind to the fact that this thing is real, coronavirus is so real”, he said.

    The government as part of measures in ensuring there is decrease in the spread of the coronavirus has directed all travelers to be quarantined for 14 days.

    This initiative came shortly before the country shut all of its borders, except to goods and essential cargo.

    Detailing his experience from the airport to the hotel, Elikem Kumordzie had nothing but praise for the government and the initiative it had taken to help curb the spread of the virus.

    According to Elikem: “There was an announcement just before the plane landed, that we were going to be quarantined for between 72 hours to 14 days. We waited for an hour to two hours, and then we were transported to the hotel. What I liked most was the fact that they involved all the forces in the exercise, the police, and the army.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: NDC parliamentary candidate leads medical experts to sensitize Jomoro residents

    Correspondence from the Western Region

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Jomoro Constituency of the Western Region, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, has began sensitisation in the area to educate residents on the deadly coronavirus.

    The dreaded Coronavirus is wrecking havoc across the globe. There has been some level of public campaign and awareness creation on the virus in some parts of the country but very little in that regard, in the Jomoro Constituency.

    This worrying development has necessitated some action from the NDC Parliamentary Candidate of Jomoro who has began embarking on public education and awareness creation on the preventive measures against the killer virus.

    Constituting a team of medical experts to assist her with this exercise, the NDC PC for Jomoro started her public education on the preventive measures for Covid-19 on Thursday, 19th March, 2020.

    Herself and her team commenced the exercise from Tikobo No.1 market where some nurses in her team educated market women and children on the proper way of handwashing.

    With 6 Veronica Buckets for handwashing stationed at vantage points in the Tikobo No.1 market with at least two medical professionals at each station, education for market women began with demonstration of the proper way of handwashing.

    She also distributed 50 ml hand sanitizers to market women for protection against Covid-19.

    Day two of her campaign took her to the various radio stations in the Constituency to educate the people about the virus.

    On New Day FM, her team of medical professionals educated listeners on the deadly Coronavirus and ways of preventing the spread.

    Key amongst the points raised by the medical professionals on the preventive measures was keeping proper personal hygiene, avoidance of handshaking and avoiding crowded places.

    There was public education also on West FM in Elubo. She also donated hand sanitizers, 200 packs of nose masks and 200 packs of gloves to the various security services in the area and these were the beneficiary security services; Fire service, Police service and Ghana customs and Immigration service.

    The team also educated Elubo market women on covid-19 as well as the proper handwashing techniques.

    Four handwashing centres were set up in Elubo at vantage points for the public education on proper handwashing.

    On Saturday, March 21, 2020, she led her medical team to educate the good people of Jaway Wharf about the virus.

    Dorcas Affo-Toffey who is also a philanthropist donated alcoholic-based hand sanitizers, nose masks, hand gloves to the residents.

    She provided the community which is also a border town with Veronica Buckets.

    Security personnel at the Jaway Wharf border were not left out. She, therefore, took the opportunity to encourage them to adhere to the President’s directives.

    In an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb’s Western Regional Correspondent, the NDC Parliamentary Candidate expressed worry over the deadly virus and prayed to God to have mercy on the world.

    She urged the residents to adhere to government’s preventive measures and asked them to pray earnestly to God.

    She was optimistic that very soon the deadly Coronavirus would stop spreading.

    She, therefore, called on other benevolent organizations to join the campaign against the virus.

    She commended the media for the active role they were playing in the fight against the virus and urged the media to continue to create awareness about the virus.

    Some residents who spoke to the Western Regional Correspondent expressed satisfaction about the initiative.

    They stated that before the candidate’s intervention, alcoholic-based hand sanitizers and other preventive items became their headache.

    They said they were finding it very difficult to get some of the alcoholic-based hand sanitizers to buy.

    They, therefore, promised to apply the preventive items to avoid contracting and spreading the deadly Coronavirus.

    Source; www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Ghana’s Toku in self isolation in Denmark

    Ghanaian Youth international Emmanuel Toku is currently in self-isolation in Denmark following the outbreak of the coronavirus in the European nation.

    Speaking in an interview with Accra based Happy FM, the Youngster narrated the ordeal he is going through in Denmark due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

    According to the former Cheetah FC attacker, his football club has called off all training sessions and activities and the players are forced to stay home and practice self-isolation.

    Toku says that although Copenhagen, where he stays, is not on total lockdown, the entire place is usually inactive and he is mostly just playing video games for the most part of the day.

    The former Black Satellite skipper joined Danish side club BK Fremad Amager last summer after impressing with Ghana at the FIFA U17 world cup in India.

    Source: ghanaguardian.com

  • Coronavirus: Allow journalists to work from home GJA

    The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has encouraged media houses to adopt remote work systems that allow staff to work from home and ensure their safety and protection as part of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

    The GJA said journalists, in the news gathering process and programming such as interviewing and discussion programmes, face greater risk of being infected by COVID-19.

    The association also said the health crisis is likely to have serious consequences on media practitioners and their working conditions in newsrooms, given the closeness of contact in their workplaces.

    It has, therefore, advised journalists and media practitioners to, as much as possible, adopt innovate ways of news gathering and reporting such as the use of Skype and telephone for interviewing instead of inviting panellists to the studios for interviews.

    The GJA also urged media owners to acquire Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) such as gloves, bodysuit and full-face mask for use by their reporters who may be engaging infected persons or reporting from compromised sites.

    In a statement, the GJA further called for the provision of running water or Veronica Buckets where necessary as well as soaps, alcohol-based hand sanitisers and other protective equipment to journalists in order to guarantee them optimal protection.

    “We also encourage media houses to adopt remote work systems that allow staff to work from home and ensure their safety and protection since we are not in normal times,” the statement said.

    Ghana has recorded 24 COVID-19 cases so far with one death.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Let’s observe simple rules – Ursula Owusu

    Ghana’s Communication Minister and Member of Parliament for the Ablekuma West construction, Ursula Osusu Ekuful has called on the Ghanaian populace to ‘observe simple rules’ as the country fight to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    The outspoken politician, on Sunday tool to her Facebook page to advice Ghanaians on some simple rules to follow in order to stop the spread.

    Below is her full write-up

    The battle is still the Lord’s and our God reigns. Let’s observe the simple rules………. hand washing, social distancing, avoiding unnecessary trips and staying home as much as possible.

    No hugs and hanging out with strangers. Avoid groups of over 10, I say.

    Catch up on your reading, call or text your friends and loved oned to see if they are OK and share the little you have with those in need.

    Above all, have faith and believe that the God of the day is still God in the night and this too shall pass.

    For those observing lent like me, let’s fast and pray more.

    Those who aren’t, should join the rest of the nation on Wednesday 25th to cry out to the lord to sustain us in these trying times.

    May we avoid becoming like Italy by obeying these simple rules. Stay safe and God bless us all and our homeland Ghana.

    Source: ghanaguardian.com

  • SHS students create touch-free Veronica bucket to help fight coronavirus

    A group of students from the Obuasi Secondary Technical School have made a hand free Veronica bucket to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

    Unlike the normal Veronica bucket, one does not need to turn on the tap before water would flow.

    Rather, the artifact is designed in a way that, once you place your hand beneath the tap, the water begins to automatically flow.

    This invention ensures that people are able to wash their hands using water from the Veronica bucket without touching its tap.

    Interestingly, once the hand is pulled away from the tap, the water also stops running.

    The invention was made by the robotics team of the Obuasi Secondary Technical School, with guidance from one of their teachers.

    “This is a COVID-19 prevention electronic bucket…the main aim of designing this bucket is to allow people to avoid touching tap of the bucket since the virus can be transferred when an infected person touches the bucket,” one of the students said in a demonstration video.

    Source: Pulse.com.gh