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Tag: coronavirus in Ghana

  • NDC declares nationwide fasting and prayers against coronavirus

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has declared nationwide 3-day fasting and prayers against the COVID-19 Virus Pandemic.

    In a statement signed by the National Chairman of the NDC, Hon. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo has called on all NDC members and supporters, as well as well-meaning Ghanaians (Christians, Muslims and all other Faiths), to seek the face of God Almighty God for divine healing in these times.

    The statement further advised NDC supports to strictly observe the precautionary measures and directives outlined by the mandated health regulatory bodies and the government in collective effort to eliminate the debilitating disease which currently has no known cure.

    “The NDC hereby declares a nationwide 3-day fasting and prayer which is to be observed from our various homes starting Friday, 20th to Sunday 22nd March, 2020. We encourage all our party faithfuls and well-meaning Ghanaians to fervently pray for the speedy intervention of the Almighty God in this situation,” portion of the statement copied to peacefmonline read.

    Read full statement below;

    In view of the novel COVID-19 pandemic which is rapidly spreading across the world and urgently raising the need for global leaders to take extraordinary measures to contain its drastic threats, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) calls on all its members and supporters, as well as well-meaning Ghanaians (Christians, Muslims and all other Faiths), to seek the face of God Almighty our only and forever reliable hope.

    The NDC fully supports the need for every person in Ghana to strictly observe the precautionary measures and directives outlined by the mandated health regulatory bodies and the government in our collective effort to eliminate this debilitating disease which currently has no known cure.

    Even though the stringent but necessary measures being implemented not only in Ghana, but by various governments across the world grossly affect our usual ways of life, especially our gathering and fellowship in the house of God, it does not and should not affect our relationship with our Maker in any way in seeking His divine intervention in this undesirable situation.

    The holy scripture says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land”, our faithful God is ever ready to help us in our needs.

    Deuteronomy 4:7 says, “For what nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him?” Those who know Him will always call on Him.

    It is obvious that the world is not in normal times, as this monstrous disease threatens our very existence. Turning to our Maker at this point is therefore non-negotiable.

    The NDC hereby declares a nationwide 3-day fasting and prayer which is to be observed from our various homes starting Friday, 20th to Sunday 22nd March, 2020. We encourage all our party faithfuls and well-meaning Ghanaians to fervently pray for the speedy intervention of the Almighty God in this situation.

    Although the NDC is aware of the consistent and fervent prayers of our Religious bodies and Leaders for the country, we humbly implore the able Leaders of the Christian Faith in Ghana to heed to this all-important call. We also entreat the Office of the National Chief Imam and the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission to offer special prayers on Friday for the Nation, by means of their newly adopted ways of worship following the temporary suspension of public gatherings.

    In God we Trust!

    In Him lies our strength!!

    With Him we shall surely prevail soon!!!

    SIGNED,

    Hon. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo

    ( National Chairman of the great NDC).

    Source: Peacefmonline.com

  • COVID:19: Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs backs Presidents directives

    The Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs on Wednesday, pledged its support to the directives issued by President Nana Akufo-Addo on Sunday, March 15, to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease.

    The House has, therefore, directed all chiefs under its jurisdiction to call off on annual festivals, funerals, naming and marriage ceremonies and social gatherings, which attract large crowds until further notice.

    A statement issued in Accra, by the Registrar, Mr Enoch Addo, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, also urged the chiefs to suspend all appointments, functions, meetings, visits to palaces nationwide and other social activities indefinitely.

    However, visits deemed extremely important, for which prior notice had been served could proceed but they should ensure that all social distancing protocols were strictly followed.

    It urged the chiefs, their entourage and all people in palace areas to limit their travels and movement and also be cautious in their internal trips.

    “Employees, dependents and all persons within the respective palaces and surrounding areas are to observe the social distancing protocol of one meter (three feet) when interacting with each other,” it advised.

    It also appealed to Chiefs to encourage all persons to be transparent and to report early to health facilities should they felt unwell.

    “This is a responsibility we must take as citizens of Ghana to protect our homes and families.”

    Media houses linked to the various traditional councils were advised to be extremely cautious in their reportage and refrain from creating unnecessary fear and panic, the statement added.

    Source: GNA

  • COVID-19: I never endorsed the use of alcohol Chief Imam

    The office of the National Chief Imam of Ghana has brushed aside reports suggesting the office had endorsed the consumption of alcohol as means of fighting coronavirus.

    In a statement signed by the Spokesman for the Chief Imam, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, the office said the assertion by the Chief Imam that Muslims could take alcohol under exceptional circumstances was not meant to encourage Muslims to patronize alcohol, and therefore, must be disregarded.

    Consequently, the statement urged the public to treat the report with all the contempt it deserves.

    Press Release

    The office of the National Chief Imam of Ghana has noticed with concern a misleading report associating the National Chief Imam with a statement to the effect that “muslims can take alcohol to fight the Coronavirus.

    We would like to state without any equivocation that the National Chief Imam never made such statement.

    In an attempt to educate public about the flexible features of the Islamic law it was indicated that under certain circumstances what prohibited may become permissible. That was to justify within law the suspension of the daily jama’a salat and the Friday Jumua salat.

    This illustration has mischievously been taken out of context by some media house thereby whereby misinforming the public and subjecting the National Chief Imam to public opprobrium.

    We call on the general public to disregard that report with all the contempt it deserves.

    From the Spokesman for the National Chief Imam of Ghana.
    Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu.

    Source: wwwghanweb.com

  • Coronavirus: 24 Chinese nationals denied entry into Ghana

    The Ghana Immigration Service yesterday prevented 24 Chinese nationals from entering into the country at the Kotoka International Airport.

    The Chinese nationals who were on board Ethiopian Airline were all turned away in compliance with the new travel advisory issued by president Nana Akufo-Addo in an effort to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

    “Yesterday 17th of March, 24 Chinese were refused entry, and also one German. All under the same circumstances,” the Deputy Comptroller-General in-charge of command post and operations, Mr. Laud Kwasi Afrifa revealed this update to the media today.

    Mr Afrifa added that only foreigners with valid resident’s permit will be allowed into the country.

    “We are only admitting foreigners who have residents permit and even that their details are being taken and being shared with the Ghana Health Service response team”.

    The action of the joint operation by the Ghana Immigration Service and the airport authorities is in line with the government’s travel advisory issued on Sunday, banning travels from epicentres of Covid-19.

    The directive became necessary after all cases recorded in Ghana were imported from foreign countries.

    Meanwhile, as a temporal measure, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed the management of schools in the country to shut down effective Monday, March 16, 2020, until further notice.

    The President gave the order when he addressed the nation on Sunday, March 15, 2020.

    He said, “All universities, Senior High Schools and basic schools; ie public and private schools, will be closed Monday, March 16, 2020, till further notice. The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication, has been tasked to roll out distance learning programmes.”

    The President added that “BECE and WASSCE candidates will be allowed to attend school to prepare for their examinations but with prescribed social distancing protocols.”

    President Akufo-Addo as part of his address put a ban on all public gatherings including conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, political rallies, and church activities and related events as part of measures to stop the spread of coronavirus in the country.

    He said the ban will be in force for the next four weeks.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Next two weeks critical in Ghana’s coronavirus fight – Kojo Oppong Nkrumah

    The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says health experts have told government officials that the next two weeks will be critical in Ghana’s fight against the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

    Ghana has so far recorded seven positive cases of the disease and even though no deaths have been recorded in those cases, the Information Minister says the government while hoping for the best, is also preparing for the worst-case scenario.

    Speaking to journalists on Wednesday afternoon, 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.”

    Mr 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.

    At the briefing, it was revealed that the travel ban imposed on person’s coming from countries that have recorded more than 200 cases of the disease is in full force.

    This ban has led to several persons returned to their places of embarkation upon arrival in Ghana.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Immigration Service rejects over 200 travellers from coronavirus-hit countries

    The Ghana Immigration Service says it has returned incoming flights from other countries at the Kotoka International Airport as part of measures to prevent the importation of cases of novel coronavirus.

    According to the Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCGI) in-charge of Command Post and Operations, Laud Kwesi Affrifah, two Italians travelling on Air France were refused entry into Ghana on Air France on Monday while 24 Chinese and 1 German National were also subjected to same on Tuesday.

    Government on March 16, 2019, announced a travel advisory which discouraged all travels to the country until further notice.

    It said commencing Tuesday, March 17, 2020, any traveler who, within the last 14 days, has been to a country that has recorded at least 200 cases of persons infected of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, would not be permitted into the Ghanaian jurisdiction, except for Ghanaian citizens and persons with a Ghana residence permit.

    Government further instructed airlines not to allow such persons to embark; and also urged border posts not to permit such travellers into their jurisdiction.

    Addressing the press on updates on COVID-19 at the Information Ministry, the Deputy Comptroller of Immigration explained that these 200 foreigners were coming from counties with over 200 cases of coronavirus.

    More soon…

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • 381 contacts of 6 coronavirus patients traced Ghana Health Service

    Some 381 contacts have been traced from the first six cases of the novel coronavirus in Ghana.

    None of the persons has been confirmed as a suspected case of the pandemic, Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Badu Sarkodie has said.

    He was speaking at a press briefing organised by the Information Ministry in Accra, added that all the contacts are being followed up on and they are doing well.

    He said contacts tracing have begun on the seventh case which was confirmed on Tuesday and the team would update the health authorities soon.

    Meanwhile, government is enforcing its travel ban on all countries which have recorded more than 200 cases of the Covid-19.

    Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, speaking at the press briefing, said the legislation to deal with a possible spread of the coronavirus will be laid in Parliament by close of Wednesday.

    He said the bill seeks to limit the freedoms in Article 21 of the 1992 Constitution.

    Article 21/1(g) of the Constitution states that “All persons shall have the right to freedom of movement which means the right to move freely in Ghana, the right to leave and to enter Ghana and immunity from expulsion from Ghana.”

    The legislation is likely to go heavy on this clause.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Coronavirus: Ghana refuses entry to 31 passengers

    Ghana has denied entry to 31 passengers who tried to enter the country after the government announced new measures on travel restrictions to help contain the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    The 31 travellers from across the world are the first victims of the restrictions that took effect on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 from 1 pm.

    This was made known by Mr Laud Ofori Afrifa, a Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Operations and Command Posts at the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) at a press briefing on Coronavirus on Wednesday evening.

    Ghana earlier this week issued travel advisory and restrictions to help curtail the spread of Coronavirus.

    The travel restrictions kicked in on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at 1 pm.

    Mr Lord Ofori Afrifa explained at the press briefing that the Ghana Immigration Service after the directive kicked in was only admitting “foreigners coming back or returning who have resident permits.

    “And even that, their details are being taken and being shared with the Ghana Health Service Response team,” he said.

    He said on March 16, two Italians who were aboard an Air France flight were refused entry into Ghana.

    “Infact we did not allow them to disembark because we normally have the travel advice from the airlines and we screen it and see who is on board before they come. So the two Italians were noted on the Air France flight and a joint team [GIS and Port Health Authority] went on board and explained situation to them and they were not allowed to disembark issues to them.

    “Yesterday, 17th of March 24 Chinese were refused entry and also one German, also under the same circumstances… This morning [Wednesday], there is an incident at Abidjan, the airport is closed because of an incident on the tarmac so flights were being diverted into Ghana. In consultation with the Civil Aviation, all those flights were refused landing and sent back. One Ethiopian Airline flight had landed without permission, the passengers were not allowed to disembark, refuelled and they continued on their journey.”

    Mr Afrifa said the flight statistics that they have indicates that there has been a drop in passenger inflow especially on the major airlines so for yesterday for instance, British Airways which normally brings in about 350 passengers brought in 140.

    KLM, which could bring in about 450 brought in 128. Air Portugal which will normally bring in about 150 brought in 12. Kenyan Airways which will normally bring in about 120 brought in 66. Emirate Airlines which will normally bring in 380 bought in 174.

    He said as of Wednesday morning the figures from especially Kenyan Airways, Emirates and South African Airways brought in reduced numbers. Kenyan Airways for example brought in 26 passengers, Emirate bought in 93, South Airways from Washington which will normally come in with about 300 passengers brought in 26 and most of these are Ghanaians. Ethiopian Airlines brought in 128 as against 250 which is the average.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Bank of Ghana cuts policy rate by 150 points over Coronavirus [COVID-19]

    The Bank of Ghana has reduced its benchmark policy rate by 150 basis points as its first response to the strain that the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is imposing on the economy.

    The policy rate determines the rate at which commercial banks determine interest rates on loans.

    With this cut, it is expected that interest rates on commercial loans will also drop.

    The bank reduced the rate, which is the benchmark for inter bank lending, from 16 per cent to 14 per cent Wednesday [March 18, 2020].

    The Governor of BoG and Chairman of the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee, Dr Ernest Addison, announced this in a statement issued Wednesday [March 18, 2020].

    The statement followed the conclusion of the 93rd MPC meeting which reviewed activities in the economy and the impact of global developments on the local front.

    Unlike before when the committee’s meetings were followed by press conferences, the bank issued a statement in compliance with the directive to avoid social gatherings in the wake of the COVID-19 scourge.

    The reduction in the rate is the first since November 2018 and is expected to combine with other factors to make cost of credit cheaper.

    The BoG policy weight carries about 40 per cent weight in the computation of the Ghana Reference Rate, the base rate for banks lending.

    Coming at a time when the central bank feared that the COVID-19 could collapse 2020 growth to five per cent or 2.5 per cent in the worst case scenario, the reduction in the rate could make funds cheaper for businesses to access and use to revitalize their operations.

    It could also make funds available to consumers, thereby raising consumer purchases for growth to rebound.

     

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • NDC declares 3-days nationwide fasting for Coronavirus

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has declared a three-day national fasting and prayers for the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were seven cases have been confirmed in Ghana and killed many worldwide.

    In a statement signed and issued by the National Chairman,Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, the NDC said the fasting and prayers should start Friday, March 2o to Sunday, March 22, 2929.

    Below is a copy of the NDC statement

    Issued: 18th March, 2020
    For Immediate Release

    THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC) DECLARES A NATIONWIDE 3-DAY FASTING AND PRAYER AGAINST CORONAVIRUS.

    In view of the novel COVID-19 pandemic which is rapidly spreading across the world and urgently raising the need for global leaders to take extraordinary measures to contain its drastic threats, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) calls on all its members and supporters, as well as well-meaning Ghanaians (Christians, Muslims and all other Faiths), to seek the face of God Almighty our only and forever reliable hope.

    The NDC fully supports the need for every person in Ghana to strictly observe the precautionary measures and directives outlined by the mandated health regulatory bodies and the government in our collective effort to eliminate this debilitating disease which currently has no known cure.

    GET CORONAVIRUS UPDATES HERE

    Even though the stringent but necessary measures being implemented not only in Ghana, but by various governments across the world grossly affect our usual ways of life, especially our gathering and fellowship in the house of God, it does not and should not affect our relationship with our Maker in any way in seeking His divine intervention in this undesirable situation.

    The holy scripture says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land”, our faithful God is ever ready to help us in our needs.
    Deuteronomy 4:7 says, “For what nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him?” Those who know Him will always call on Him.

    It is obvious that the world is not in normal times, as this monstrous disease threatens our very existence. Turning to our Maker at this point is therefore non-negotiable.

    The NDC hereby declares a nationwide 3-day fasting and prayer which is to be observed from our various homes starting Friday, 20th to Sunday 22nd March, 2020. We encourage all our party faithfuls and well-meaning Ghanaians to fervently pray for the speedy intervention of the Almighty God in this situation.

    Although the NDC is aware of the consistent and fervent prayers of our Religious bodies and Leaders for the country, we humbly implore the able Leaders of the Christian Faith in Ghana to heed to this all-important call. We also entreat the Office of the National Chief Imam and the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission to offer special prayers on Friday for the Nation, by means of their newly adopted ways of worship following the temporary suspension of public gatherings.

    In God we Trust!
    In Him lies our strength!!
    With Him we shall surely prevail soon!!!

    SIGNED,
    Hon. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo
    ( National Chairman of the great NDC).

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Eastern Regional Hospital denies coronavirus cases

    The management of the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua has denied a viral reportage on social media about some two coronavirus at the health facility.

    According to the hospital in a statement, the public should treat the reports as fake emphatically stating that the news is false and should not be taken seriously.”

    The hospital has therefore assured all measures have been put in place to ensure that its numerous patrons and caregivers are protected.

    Meanwhile, three Ghanaians have lost their lives to the COVID-19 pandemic the Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has announced.

    According to the minister, two of them were confirmed dead in Italy while one passed away in Denmark after being infected with the virus.

    About Coronavirus

    Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

    Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans.

    Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.

    Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

    Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Those siphoning sanitisers in Parliament will be dealt with Kyei Mensah-Bonsu

    Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu has expressed concern about some individuals siphoning sanitisers distributed in Parliament.

    The Majority Leader wants CCTV cameras in the facility activated so those engaged in these acts can be found and dealt with.

    Sanitiser stands were mounted across the house last week as part of measures to protect MPs and staff from Coronavirus.

    Speaking on the Floor, the majority leader said some of the sanitiser stands become empty about an hour after they are filled which he says is unacceptable.

    “What we are beginning to notice is that a few individuals are draining the sanitizers and taking them away, which is very serious. We need to activate the CCTVs so anybody who is caught in this is not only named and shamed, but appropriate sanctions will be applied to that person,” he told the house as other MPs laughed in the background.

    “It cannot be that sanitizers are placed at vantage positions and overnight, everything is gone. Even whilst members are sitting, you step out, where you saw a sanitiser where it was almost full, then everything is gone. It cannot happen,” the majority leader added.

    “So I am asking the marshals department and the clerk to activate the CCTV cameras. Anybody who is caught in such an act will be sanctioned,” he concluded.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • PLAYBACK: Ministry of Information provides update on coronavirus

    Ghana’s Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah will be addressing the public and the media on the latest updates on the coronavirus cases in Ghana.

    The address comes a day after the Ministry of Health announced the 7th case of the virus in Ghana, all cases according to the ministry are imported cases.

    Meanwhile, as a temporal measure, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed the management of schools in the country to shut down effective Monday, March 16, 2020, until further notice.

    The President gave the order when he addressed the nation on Sunday, March 15, 2020.

    He said, “All universities, Senior High Schools and basic schools ie public and private schools, will be closed Monday, March 16, 2020, till further notice. The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication, has been tasked to roll out distance learning programmes.”

    The President added that “BECE and WASSCE candidates will be allowed to attend school to prepare for their examinations but with prescribed social distancing protocols.”

    President Akufo-Addo as part of his address put a ban on all public gatherings including conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, political rallies, and church activities and related events as part of measures to stop the spread of coronavirus in the country.

    He said the ban will be in force for the next four weeks.

    Travellers from ten different countries seeking to enter Ghana were turned away yesterday at the Kotoka International Airport.

    Watch the livestream below:

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: How the Electoral Commission plans to curb spread during voter registration

    The Electoral Commission of Ghana says it will institute measures to ensure that the compilation of the new voters’ register goes ahead in the face of the threat from the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    A release issued by the EC on Tuesday, denied media reports that the compilation of the new voters’ register has been cancelled due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Ghana, adding that a new date for the registration will be announced.

     

    The EC says it will institute concrete measures including providing sanitizers at all polling stations and “providing a conducive atmosphere at all registration centres so as to protect its stakeholders from the virus…”.

    “The Electoral Commission has noted with concern, information in sections of the media to the effect that the compilation of the New Voters’ Register has been cancelled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in the country,” the EC said in a press release signed by its Acting Director, Public Affairs, Mrs Sylvia Annoh.

    “The Commission wishes to state that the compilation of the New Voters Register has not been cancelled. Plans are far advanced for the successful take-off of the registration process.

    “In view of the ban imposed on public gatherings by His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, a new date for the registration will be announced in due course”.

    The EC’s release comes days after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced a four-week ban on all gatherings.

    Measures

    The EC plans to provide sanitizers at all registration centres as part of measures to curb the spread of the virus which has claimed the lives of thousands across the globe.

    “The Commission wishes to assure the general public that it is taking the necessary steps to guarantee the safety of the citizenry and safeguard them from the virus. In this regard, the Electoral Commission will put in place concrete measures including providing sanitizers at all polling stations and providing a conducive atmosphere at all registration centres so as to protect its stakeholders from the virus among others,” the release said.

     

    “The public is entreated to prepare for the upcoming Voters’ Registration exercise”.

    Background

    The government of Ghana suspended all public gatherings in the country following the outbreak of Coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) in Ghana as of Saturday, March 14, 2020.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made this known in a televised national address Sunday night [March 15, 2020].

    He said the new directives follows an earlier meeting of Inter-Ministerial Committee on Coronavirus response which he chaired and it deliberated on the issues.

    “I have decided, in the interest of public safety and protection of our population, to review the public gathering advisories earlier announced.”

    He said among the gatherings suspended are church services, weddings, funerals, other social gatherings.

    Read the entire release below;

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Coronavirus: Elubo GPRTU branch ensures passengers wash hands before joining cars

    As part of measures to calm the spread of the world deadly Coronavirus in Ghana, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) branch at Elubo in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region, is ensuring travellers at the station wash their hands with alcoholic-based sanitizers and liquid soaps before they board cars.

    This move is in a quick response to the directive given out by the President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to all lorry stations in the country to practice personal hygiene in a way to avoid contracting and spreading the Coronavirus.

    Speaking in an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb’s Western Regional Correspondent Daniel Kaku, the Branch Chairman of Elubo GPRTU, Mr. Kofi Assuah said they have no option than to adhere to the President’s directive to ensure passengers do not contract and spread the virus.

    He said since Elubo is a border town the virus could easily spread hence their measures put in place to fight against the virus.

    He emphasized that they had installed washing dispenser at the station for the passengers to use, adding that “when they finish washing their hands with the water they use liquid soaps and hand sanitizers to clean their hands thoroughly”.

    He also said they provide each passenger with a nose mask.

    Mr. Assuah who is also the District Chairman for the three Nzema GPRTU said apart from the aforementioned items, regular education has been given to the passengers about the virus.

    “We always advise them to minimize conversation in the cars and also use tissues whenever they want to cough or sneeze”, he said.

    Some of the passengers who spoke to our Correspondent commended the Elubo GPRTU branch for the measures putting in place to combat the killer virus.

    They said the move would help them not to contract and spread the virus.

    “I came from Asante Akyem to do something in Elubo and this morning I have come here to take a car to Kumasi and when I got here I saw the GPRTU has put measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus and in fact I was allowed to wash my hands before joining the car, they gave me a liquid soap and hand sanitizer and also tissue to clean my hands, I have to commend them, they have done well and I think this will help us not to contract the virus”, one passenger gave the testimony to our Correspondent.

    Elubo is the main border post between Ghana and La Cote D’Ivoire. It is also a cosmopolitan town dotted with different towns apart from Nzemas.

    Ghana has so far recorded seven of the deadly Coronavirus and these cases are imported cases.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Noguchi has capacity to test 1000 cases a day, but only 166 samples tested since outbreak

    The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) has so far tested 166 samples of suspected cases of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Ghana since the outbreak.

    This, according to Noguchi was far below its capacity and therefore dismissed assertions in some quarters that it was being inundated with cases it cannot handle.

    As of Tuesday, March 17, 2020, seven cases had tested positive for the disease in Ghana.

     

    In a radio interview on Wednesday, Noguchi denied assertions that it did not have the capacity to test the number of cases it was being inundated with.

    Noguchi explained that it has the capacity to test 800 cases (200 x 4) in a day and can even do 1000 tests in a day.

    “Since COVID-19 started, as at yesterday afternoon [March 17, 2020], we had tested only 166 samples. So this is far, far below our capacity. So if anybody says that …it is not true at all,” the Director of Noguchi said in a radio interview with Accra based Citi FM.

    more to follow…

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Suspend Ghana Card registration to contain Coronavirus spread – GMA to NIA

    The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called on the National Identification Authority (NIA) to suspend with immediate effect the ongoing mass registration exercise in the Eastern Region.

    In a press statement signed and issued Wednesday, March 18, 2020 by the President of the GMA, Dr Frank Ankobea and the General Secretary, Dr Justice Yankson, the GMA said it was in the interest of Public Health and Safety to suspend the exercise.

    It said the “mass registration exercise also defeats the spirit and letter of the directives (especially on mass gathering) issued by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana as part of the measures to combat the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.”

    “It is the considered view of the GMA that this mass registration activities by the NIA if allowed to continue could create a fertile ground for potential spread of COVID-19 endangering the lives of the staff of the NIA the communities involved and the entire nation in the process. This will undoubtedly be fatal for the country,” the GMA added.

    The GMA urged the government to begin enforcement of self-isolation of all Ghanaian Citizens and Residents returning into Ghana from countries with high disease burden of COVID-19 in accordance with the self-isolation guidelines as issued by the Ghana Health Service (GHS)

    3 The GMA also calls on all Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Corporate Ghana to compliment Governments efforts at combating COVID-19 in the Country.


    PHOTO: NIA registration Centre at Anglican Primary School, Mampong in Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of Eastern Region.

    Below is a copy of the GMA statement

    PRESS STATEMENT

    CONTAINMENT OF COVID-19 OUTBREAK IN GHANA

    The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) having continuously monitored the country’s preparations and activities to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in Ghana do hereby states as follows

    1 That, in the interest of Public Health and Safety. The GMA calls on the National Identification Authority (NIA) to suspend with immediate effect the ongoing mass registration exercise in the Eastern Region

    This mass registration exercise also defeats the spirit and letter of the directives (especially on mass gathering) issued by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana as part of the measures to combat the COVID-19 outbreak in the country

    It is the considered view of the GMA that this mass registration activities by the NIA if allowed to continue could create a fertile ground for potential spread of COVID-19 endangering the lives of the staff of the NIA the communities involved and the entire nation in the process This will undoubtedly be fatal for the country

    2 The Government is also urged to begin enforcement of self-isolation of all Ghanaian Citizens and Residents returning into Ghana from countries with high disease burden of COVID-19 in accordance with the self-isolation guidelines as issued by the Ghana Health Service (GHS)

    3 The GMA also calls on all Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Corporate Ghana to compliment Governments efforts at combating COVID-19 in the Country

    Thank you

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Coronavirus: Emirates airline suspends all flights to Ghana

    Emirates airline has suspended all its flights from and to Accra from the 21st of March 2020 to the 20th of May 2020 in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

    The government of Ghana had written to airline companies to stop flying travellers from countries that have recorded over 200 cases of COVID-19 into Ghana.

    Ghana confirmed its 7th case of the virus yesterday [March 17 2020].

    The Dubai-based carrier had previously announced that a total of 35 routes would be temporarily cancelled from Tuesday [yesterday] as a result of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

    This includes a range of destinations across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and America.

    In a statement posted on its website, the airline said it will closely monitor developments in Accra, Ghana, to reinstate its flights to that destination if it becomes necessary.

    The firm also advised customers to contact it to change flight destinations at no extra fees.

    Coronavirus patients in Ghana getting better Ghana Health Service

    The Ghana Health Service says all patients who have tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) are getting better.

    Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service in an interview on Eyewitness News on Tuesday said the patients are recovering and will be discharged once they are cleared.

    He said none of the patients had deteriorated since they were isolated and started receiving treatment.

    “They are all doing very well. They are recovering because they are much better than we saw them. When they are fully off, we will let them go home. All of them are better today than they were when we saw them. We have not seen any of them deteriorating. We review them every day so based on the condition, we will discharge them once we see that they have fully recovered and cleared,” he said.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Speaker orders fumigation of Parliament amid COVID-19 fears

    The Speaker of Parliament has ordered the immediate fumigation of the precincts of the House.

    This forms part of measures to prevent a spread of Coronavirus in the House.

    “The fumigation of every inch of Parliament where we operate should be done immediately. Tomorrow we should see progress in that regard.”

    “This is rather important. Some have made very serious arrangements and rearrangements and we should continue to consider these…Even in the matter of state of emergency, Parliament must be around to take steps,” the Speaker said.

    Speaker advises against handshaking among MPs

    The Speaker of Parliament had early on also advised MPs to shun greeting by handshaking and physical contact.

    Prof. Oquaye also said the House had placed hand sanitizers at vantage points in a bid to strengthen measures against the pandemic.

    “Transmission has been identified particularly through handshaking and using the hands on the face. Sanitizers have been put at vantage points. We [parliamentarians] need to keep sanitizing our hands,” the Speaker said.

    Coronavirus cases in Ghana now 7

    The Ghana Health Service on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, confirmed one new case of Coronavirus in the country.

    The case was reported in the Greater Accra Region bringing to 7, the total number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Ghana.

    A tweet from the Ghana Health Service said, “…we have received report from NMIMR that indicated one (1) more confirmed case as positive for COVID-19 in Greater Accra Region.”

    The patient is a 35-year-old male and a Ghanaian citizen who returned to Accra from France.

    Coronavirus patients in Ghana getting better 

    The Ghana Health Service however says all patients who have tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) are getting better.

    Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service in an interview on Eyewitness News on Tuesday said the patients are recovering and will be discharged once they are cleared.

    He said none of the patients had deteriorated since they were isolated and started receiving treatment.

    “They are all doing very well. They are recovering because they are much better than we saw them. When they are fully off, we will let them go home. All of them are better today than they were when we saw them. We have not seen any of them deteriorating. We review them every day so based on the condition, we will discharge them once we see that they have fully recovered and cleared,” he said.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Coronavirus: Prof. Frimpong Boateng introduces preventive measures at Ministry of Environment

    The world is plagued with a raging deadly pandemic, the novel Coronavirus which is fast spreading like a wildfire and claiming lives in a proportion ever witnessed, this has left many countries on their knees and grappling for a solution.

    In order to minimize the spread of this virus in Ghana, the president, Nana Akufo Addo announced some measures to that effect.

    In the wake of this, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology under its hardworking Minister, Professor Frimpong Boateng, has instituted some enhanced preventive measures to ensure the safety of the staff

    Being a medical professional himself, Professor Frimpong Boateng educated the staff on the need to adhere strictly to personal hygiene as well as measures put in place by the Ministry

    He further stated the need to use hand sanitizers frequently as well as washing once hands with running water before and after using washrooms

    The safety and health preventive measures instituted by the Minister includes provision of hand gloves for the security personnel at the entrance, checking of temperature of everybody who enters the building, Veronica bucket mounted at various points for easy access to wash once hands, sanitizers mounted on the walls on all the floors amongst other things

    The Minister assured that with these measures and its strict adherrance, the staff of the Ministry would be working under very safe conditions without any fear.

    Interestingly and not so surprising, our checks indicated that the instrument being used to checking temperature was provided by Professor Frimpong Boateng without a charge

    Such a show of patriotism is what is required from all in times like this

     

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Graphic institutes measures to protect employees – Assures smooth operations

    The Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) has instituted measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among staff, their families and visitors.

    The move is to ensure the smooth operations in the company to continue to serve the country as an important channel for authentic news.

    Employees in each unit have been grouped into two. One group has proceeded on leave for the next two weeks and upon resumption of duty of the first group, the second would also proceed on leave for the same duration.

    Letter

    A letter dated March 16, 2020 from the Director, Human Resource and Administration of the GCGL, Ms Peggy Addo, explained that these measures were to preempt and mitigate the risk of infection in order to ensure that at all times the company had adequate uninfected staff to man its operations.

    Other measures the GCGL had undertaken, she said, included deep cleaning and disinfecting of all offices and equipment in the company and positioning hand sanitisers at vantage points for use by employees and visitors.

    She pointed out that with regard to the guidelines by the Public Services Commission for all staff to avoid non-critical conferences, seminars, workshops, face-to-face meetings and gatherings, the members of the Editorial conference (who select stories for publication daily) for instance, had been reduced drastically to ensure appropriate social distancing to protect staff.

    ICT

    Additionally, she said the use of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) was being utilised to hold distance meetings, among other things.

    The Resident Medical Officer of the GCGL, Dr Jaqui Barnes, also reminded staff of infection prevention measures, especially the use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers, hand washing under running water, prompt/proper respiratory waste disposal and respiratory hygiene (coughing/sneezing into tissue or inner elbow).

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Coronavirus forces KATH to suspend OPD services

    The Coronavirus outbreak has forced the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) to suspend all Out Patient Department (OPD) services.

    Reports also indicate that several specialist clinics will also be shut to the public and this is part of measures by the hospital to avoid the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

    KATH treats about 1000 patients every day and this comes as a big blow to the indigenes.

    KATH has two OPDs, the Special Care OPD and the Primary Care OPD.

    The number of coronavirus cases worldwide has now passed 200,000, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.

    The total is now 201,530 confirmed cases and 8,007 deaths.

    China still has the highest number of confirmed cases (81,102), while Italy has the second-highest with 31,506.

    Ghana on Tuesday recorded its 7th coronavirus case and the Ghana Health Service is expected to brief the nation on that.

    Currently, all outdoor events including funerals, church activities and naming ceremonies have been suspended.

    Schools have also been asked to close down for a period of 4 weeks.

    These, according to Akufo-Addo, forms part of precautionary measures to fight the virus and prevent any more spread after the 7 confirmed cases in Ghana.

     

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Coronavirus: Savanah Region needs isolation centre NDC

    The Savannah regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has asked the government to build an isolation centre in the region in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

    According to the party, the region is home to many tourist sites, hence likely to attract the disease.

    A statement issued by Malik Basintale, Communication Officer of the NDC in the region said the NDC expresses “it’s disappointment in the slow pace at which the government under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo has handled the provision of test and isolation centres at regional levels meant to manage the wide spread of the coronavirus.

    “Upon declaration of the deadly pandemic in Ghana and the establishment of test and isolation centres, we find the northern territories of the country completely neglected even as we stand more vulnerable due to our very porous borders, tourist sites and the constant international visits to them.”

    The statement added: “The Savannah region is home to some of the most visited tourist sites by foreigners such as the Mole park, the Larabanga Mosque, the Mystery stone, the Salaga slave market among others, have recorded international visitors since the past weeks even when the Corona Virus was declared a pandemic and period of manifestation taking up to fourteen (14 days).

    “This situation leaves us in panic, despair and absolute despondency as we still do not have a clear roadmap towards testing and quarantining any suspected case should any show up in our region.

    “Upon an attempt to respond to the directive by our flagbearer H.E John Mahama, requesting all former appointees and party faithful to step in and help the government, we realized that no public education on sensitizing settlements even close to these tourist sites have been done, hospitals, clinics, and CHP compounds have still not received the necessary logistics from the government towards protecting the lives of indigenes.

    “Our border guards, tour guards, health workers, indigenes are desperate in guaranteeing their safety at the clear glimpse of the incurable pandemic as we are being abandoned by the government despite the huge sums made as revenue from these tourist sites over the period.

    “We solidify the passionate stance of H.E John Dramani Mahama by calling on President Akufo-Addo to as a matter of urgency provide the already built health facilities in the Savannah region with logistics, a test and isolation centre to help manage the spread of the virus as we stand exposed to threats.”

     

    Source: Classfmonline.com

  • Include final-year JHS, SHS students in shutdown – Teacher unions

    Teacher unions have appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to extend the four-week shutdown of basic and second-cycle schools in the country to cover final-year students in those schools.

    They said the estimated 397,500 students who would write the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in June 2020 and the about 490,882 students who would write the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) could all be at risk of contracting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    “This number excludes teachers and other supporting staff preparing the candidates for the examinations.

    Roughly, more than 1,000,000 students, teachers and non-teaching staff will be congregating on a daily basis during the examinations, and that is the basis for our suggestion to the President to consider including the candidates in the shutdown,” the Spokesperson for the unions, Mr Thomas T. Musah, said.

    Directive

    President Nana Akufo-Addo last Sunday announced a ban on all public gatherings for the next four weeks, in reaction to the confirmation of five more COVID19 cases in the country, bringing the number to seven so far.

    He also directed that all universities, SHSs, basic schools, both private and public, be closed down, effective Monday, March 16, 2020, until further notice.

    However, final-year JHS and SHS students were exempted from the directive and are to remain in school and adhere to prescribed social distancing protocols while they prepare for their examinations, which begin in May and June 2020, respectively.

    Concerns

    The unions, comprising the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers, Ghana (CCT-GH), claimed that the students would rather be exposed to the virus when allowed to remain in school, since day students were among them.

    According to Mr Musah, who is also the General Secretary of GNAT, the schools could, therefore, be turned into incubation centres for the COVID-19 because of the unlimited social interactions and movements in and outside the school environment.

    He mentioned social interactions to include the Ghanaian culture of handshaking, the poor attitude to the environment and the fact that “prescriptions are easier given than effected”.

    “The unions hereby plead with the government to include BECE and WASSCE candidates in the shutdown to avert an imminent spread, which could befall our beloved students and pupils, their parents and guardians and the entire Ghanaian people.

    “We further call on the government to engage WAEC member states to consider a possible change in the WASSCE timetable for the sake of the students,” he said.

    Mr Musah explained that it was an issue of safety first, “until such a time that we can say that it is safe to get it done”, adding that since the final-year students included day students, the safety of the rest of the students was not guaranteed.
    He wondered what the examinations would do to the students should they be written and, at the end, some students contracted the virus and died.

    Measures

    Asked whether the candidates would not become “rusty” during their long stay at home, Mr Musah explained that teachers had made available enough homework, exercises, textbooks and project work to occupy the students within the period.

    He also said some teachers had created platforms with parents to give assignments to students to prepare them adequately for the examinations.

    He urged Ghanaians “to err on the side of caution” by avoiding all engagements and activities which could have a toll on their health and general well-being.

    He commended President Akufo-Addo for the measures taken so far to curb the spread of the virus in the country, citing the $100-million financial commitment by the government as a laudable initiative.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Cancellation of Kwahu Easter celebration a huge blow to govt – Tourism Authority

    CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman has expressed worry over the cancellation of the Kwahu Easter celebration due to the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus.

    On Monday, the Traditional Council of Kwahu in the Eastern Region called off this year’s Easter celebrations following the outbreak of the deadly COVID-19 in the country.

    This Mr. Agyemang believes, is a huge blow to the government since the Easter celebrations generate a lot of revenue for the country.

    “It has taken the industry by storm. But, I believe we will survive and see ourselves there again, this year Kwahu is not happening. Last year we raked a lot of revenue for the government and this is a huge blow. While we are enforcing the measures, we are also empathizing ourselves how to get out of this situation,” he said in a radio interview.

    Cancellation of this year’s Easter celebration was necessary after President Akufo-Addo gave a directive that all public gatherings including conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, political rallies, church activities, and other related events must be halted for 4 weeks as part of measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

    Ghana has so far confirmed 7 cases of the deadly coronavirus.

    Kwahu Easter is the annual Easter celebrations at the Kwahu South District of the Eastern Region of Ghana. People from all walks of life and all nationality throng to the Kwahu Hills every Easter to celebrate the three-day-long holiday.

     

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Coronavirus: GIJ begins one-month online teaching

    The Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) has directed all academic staff to put in place the necessary arrangements to ensure that teaching and learning are conducted online for one month.

    A statement signed by the management of the school said the decision follows an Emergency Meeting held on March 16 2020, following the government’s directive regarding the COVID-19 pandemic which banned all public gatherings.

    “Management at its Emergency Meeting held on 16th March 2020, following government’s directive regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, decided that the Institute should go on a one-month recess effective Tuesday, 17th March 2020,” the statement said.

    “To ensure that academic work continue, it has been decided that all Academic Staff should put in place the necessary arrangements to ensure that teaching and learning is conducted online (email, WhatsApp, Telegram, google classroom etc.)”.

    The statement further disclosed to students that academic staff have complied with the directive and will be teaching online over the period.

    Background

    The government of Ghana suspended all public gatherings in the country following the outbreak of Coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) in Ghana as of Saturday, March 14, 2020.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made this known in a televised national address Sunday night [March 15, 2020].

    He said the new directives follows an earlier meeting of Inter-Ministerial Committee on Coronavirus response which he chaired and it deliberated on the issues.

    “I have decided, in the interest of public safety and protection of our population, to review the public gathering advisories earlier announced.”

    He said among the gatherings suspended are church services, weddings, funerals, other social gatherings.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • We will expel any Journalist who causes fear and panic on coronavirus fight – GJA

    The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has indicated that it will expel any Journalists from the Association if that individual goes contrary to the Association’s Code of Ethics by causing fear and panic to the citizenry in disseminating information on Covid-19.

    According to the Association, reportage of some media houses on Coronavirus is creating fear and panic in the country, adding some media houses do not check their facts thereby come on air with whatever fact they hear on the ground which might not be the right information for them to put out there.

    The Association in a statement released on March 15 made a passionate appeal to the media to report responsibly on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and avoid creating any unjustified fear and panic among the populace.

    Vice President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Linda Asante-Agyei said the Association will name and shame any media house who goes contrary to the directive

    ”Recalcitrant media houses who go contrary to the GJA code of ethics by continuing to cause fear and panic disseminating information on Covid 19 to the public will be named and shamed and when it comes to the worst scenario, the Association will also expel anyone who goes contrary to the directive”.

    Meanwhile, the Association has announced that it is collaborating with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to begin training of Journalists to provide accurate information to the public in contributing to efforts in fighting Covid-19 in the country.

    Again, she stated that the three media organizations, Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) and Private News Papers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) are coordinating with editors of media houses to provide names of Journalists to participate in the training session.

    Madam Asante also said the training is planned to take off this Friday, March 20 2020.

    The GJA Vice President also made it known that the training will be rolled out in batches not only in the Greater Accra Region, but the other 15 regions across the country.

    The GJA further advised journalists to use reliable scientific sources in their reportage and avoid speculations, while calling on public authorities and medical institutions to provide timely and accurate information to journalists when they call on them.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Coronavirus: Pastor arrested for contravening ban on social gatherings

    A pastor has been busted at North Suntreso in Kumasi for contravening the ban on social gatherings imposed in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak COVID-19) in Ghana.

    Apostle Kofi Nkrumah Sarkodie is said to have organised members of his church for his service on Wednesday morning (March 18, 2020).

    Police officers stormed the premises and arrested the pastor amidst a resistance from his congregants Graphic Online understands.

    Apostle Kofi Nkrumah Sarkodie organised a church service despite the ban on public gatherings including church services.

    Samson K. Nyamekye of Hello FM in Kumasi reported on Accra based Peace FM monitored by Graphic Online that the church members initially resisted attempts by the police to pick up Apostle Sarkodie and started chanting prayers and singing.

    The church is located at North Suntreso in the Ashanti Region.

    Background

    The government of Ghana suspended all public gatherings in the country following the outbreak of Coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) in Ghana as of Saturday, March 14, 2020.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made this known in a televised national address Sunday night [March 15, 2020].

    He said the new directives follows an earlier meeting of Inter-Ministerial Committee on Coronavirus response which he chaired and it deliberated on the issues.

    “I have decided, in the interest of public safety and protection of our population, to review the public gathering advisories earlier announced.”

    He said among the gatherings suspended are church services, weddings, funerals, other social gatherings.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Police suspends training of recruits

    The Ghana Police Service has suspended training of recruits and has asked them to go home to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

    “Recruits training activities have been suspended. Recruits other than the final/passing out squad have been released to go home until further directives,” the Police said in a statement.

    The Police is also cautioning the public to limit their visits to police stations and cells while they also put in place measures to disinfect the cells.

    The statement further said, “Fresh suspects would be screened before they are placed in police custody”.

    Ghana has recorded seven cases of COVID-19 forcing the government to place a ban on all social gatherings.

    Gatherings of more than 25 persons have been discouraged while travel restrictions have been placed on citizens coming from countries that have recorded more than 200 COVID-19 cases.

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Which sex position can create 1.8 metres space between partners? – Pratt quizzes

    The coronavirus cannot be transmitted through sex, however, if an infected person sneezes or coughs, on the partner during sex, he or she can get infected.

    This was explained by the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Aboagye during an exclusive interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, Tuesday.

    He was reacting to reports that “constant or repeated acts of sex kills coronavirus”.

    Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper speaking to this on the same platform, sought to know how an infected person can contemplate having sex (missionary position) with his or her partner, especially when the World Health Organisation (WHO) and medical experts recommend the observation of social distance of about six feet (1.8m).

    “Kwami, I read that it is advisable to maintain a 1.8metre distance in the wake of COVID-19 scourge. I hope I’m right….But the question I’m asking is which sex position or style can be possible when observing this 1.8metre guideline?” he asked amidst squeals of laughter from the host and other members of the panel.

     

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Korle-Bu tightens coronavirus measures, suspend surgeries, OPD services

    The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra has suspended all non-emergency surgeries and OPD services as management announces additional measures to stem the spread of deadly novel Coronavirus outbreak in the country.

    “All elective surgeries, have been suspended except Caesarean sections,” the hospital announced Tuesday, stating the measures take immediate effect.

    All clinical rotations and attachments by all categories of students have also been suspended in the new precautionary measures as the confirmed cases of the virus recorded in the country rise to seven.

    Clinical meetings and seminars have all also been cancelled until further notice.

    A statement issued by the hospital said provision of emergency services at all the emergency operational areas of the hospital will however not be affected.

    “[The] Accident and Emergency Centre, Family Medicine Directorate (Polyclinic) and the Paediatric Emergency Unit shall continue to offer emergency services,” the statement said.

    It said the Labour Wards and Mother & Baby Unit (MBU) will also continue to offer normal services.

    The hospital said the Coronavirus situation “is constantly under evaluation”, and noted there will be modifications to the measures announced as and when it becomes necessary.

    It encouraged the public efforts being made by government and all stakeholders to ensure the safety of all in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic which has triggered lockdowns in parts of the world.

    The hospital has meanwhile advised the public against using the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital “as a thoroughfare”, warning they do so in their own interest.

    Patient visits restrictions

    Earlier last Friday, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital announced it was limiting visits to patients on admission at the facility on the back of the virus outbreak.

    It said patients on admission can receive only two relatives as visitors, the hospital management announced in a statement a day after Ghana recorded its first cases.

    “In the case of the Department of Child Health only parents/guardians of the patient are permitted to visit. This measure has become necessary because patients are already vulnerable and can therefore easily be infected,” it said.

    Seven confirmed cases

    The covid-19 pandemic which originated in China late last year has infected more than 182,400 people and killed over 7,100 globally.

    Ghana has since March 12 confirmed seven cases of the virus with no fatalities. All cases were imported into the country.

    Health officials say all the seven patients who have been quarantined, are in stable condition.

    Contact tracing is currently ongoing and officials say they have so far traced a total 350 people as having had contact with six of the patients.

    Government has announced what some believe to be bold measures, including travel restrictions and closure of all schools in the country as well as a ban of social gatherings to stem the spread of the virus.

    Businesses and other workplaces, however, continue to operate, but have been directed to observe prescribed social distancing between patrons and staff.

    Establishments, such as supermarkets, shopping malls, restaurants, night clubs, hotels and drinking spots, have also been advised by government to observe enhanced hygiene procedures by providing, amongst others, hand sanitizers, running water and soap for washing of hands.

     

    Source: 3news.com

  • Coronavirus: Limit unofficial visits to stations – Police

    The Ghana Police Service has put in place contingency measures in place for strict compliance in view of the latest information on the coronavirus pandemic.

    It has therefore admonished the public to limit unofficial visits to Police Stations and offices and resort to electronic means of contact as much as possible.

    It has also set-up hotlines at the police hospital public health department for Police Officers to call in case of suspicion of covid-19.

    A statement from the police said: “The Police Administration assures that officers will continue to carry out the duties of maintaining law and order, including preventing crimes, the arrest of offenders, investigation of criminal cases and attendant actions unabated.”

    Ghana has confirmed a new case of the deadly coronavirus disease bringing the total number of cases in the country to seven (7).

    The new case comes despite government’s drastic measures to curb its spread by banning social gatherings and imposing a travel ban on countries with high cases of the disease.

    Confirming the news, the Ghana Health Service website stated that the new case is another imported one, stating that the patient is a Ghanaian citizen who recently returned from France.

     

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • GPL registration window opens despite coronavirus break

    Ghanaian clubs will get the opportunity to sign players in the transfer window despite the suspension of the league by government due to the corona virus outbreak.

    Vice-Chairman of the Premier League Management Committee (PLMC) Jesse Agyapong stated that despite football activities suspended for the next four weeks, clubs will be allowed to sign players in the transfer window.

    The second transfer window opened on Monday March 16, 2020 with clubs expected to make new additions to beef up their squad ahead when the league resumes.

    The directive from the government to suspend all public gatherings for the next four weeks meant the 2019/20 Ghana League season has been halted due to the corona virus outbreak.

    Jesse in an interview indicated clubs will have the chance to operate during this window despite the suspension.

    “Ghana Premier league second transfer window still opens today, registration of players will go on even though GFA has suspended all football competitions,” Jesse Agyapong told Oyerepa FM.

    He further said that the league will only resume if the government lifts the ban on public gathering which is currently in place.

    “The league will not resume till the President of Ghana says otherwise or allows gathering of people. Clubs can register players at the FA because the necessary steps have being put in place”.

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • Ghanaian winger Hudson-Odoi making ‘great progress’ from coronavirus – Frank Lampard

    Chelsea player of Ghanaian descent Callum Hudson-Odoi is making “great progress” in his recovery from coronavirus after testing positive for the disease, manager Frank Lampard has revealed.

    The winger, who became the first English Premier League player to test positive for the deadly disease, has been undergoing treatment since catching the contagious virus.

    The 19-year-old’s positive test last week prompted Chelsea to close their Cobham training centre and put in place measures to stop the virus from spreading at the club.

    The first-team squad and coaching staff were asked to self-isolate as a precaution and now coach Lampard has revealed that the son of former Hearts of Oak star Bismark Odoi is making great progress in his recovery.

    “I’m happy to say that in Callum’s case, he has made great progress and almost feels his usual self, which is obviously the news we all want to hear,” Lampard told the club’s website.

    “I’m aware that not everyone can or will recover from this virus, so I urge the football and sporting community to continue to act responsibly and look out for the health of others.”

    Chelsea said their training facility had been reopened for those who did not have recent close contact with Hudson-Odoi.

    The league has been suspended until April 4 because of the outbreak that has virtually shut down world sport.

    Globally, the outbreak has infected over 190,000 people and killed more than 7,500.

    “We still don’t know when competitive football will restart, but it isn’t worth worrying about that too much at the moment,” Lampard added.

    “We all miss football but right now it’s about acting responsibly and in the best interests of society.”

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • CID puts in place measures to curb coronavirus

    The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has put in place measures to curb the spreading of the Covid-19 and also serve as adherence to the directive by the president on Sunday.

    Ghana recorded the seventh case of concur -19 yesterday and this has put in much fear.

    A visit to the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters saw great measures as management has to put in place Veronica buckets with water, tissues at various vantage points and fixed hand sanitizers on the various lifts from the ground floor or reception to the six-floor.

    A tour showed that most people who go there really adhere to the use of the hand sanitizers and wash their hands before entering and leaving.

     

    Source: kingdomfmonline.com

  • Police suspends training of recruits over coronavirus

    The Ghana Police has suspended training of recruits and has asked them to go home as part of measures by the Security agency to control the spread of the Coronavirus.

    In a statement, the Ghana Police Service said “recruits training activities have been suspended. Recruits other than the final/passing out squad have been released to go home until further directives.”

    “As much as practicable, persons who have been remanded to police custody and those who have committed felonious offences shall be kept in police cells. Fresh suspects would be screened before they are placed in police custody,” Director of Public Affairs, Superintendent Shiella Kessie Abayie-Buckman said.

    The Police Service has also put in place measures to regularly disinfect Police cells to control the spread of the virus.

    Ghana on Tuesday recorded another case of the deadly COVID-19 which has affected over 170, 000 people globally and killed almost 7, 000 people.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Hearts of Oak set to return to training today

    Hearts of Oak are set to resume full training at Pobiman today despite the suspension of football in the country due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

    On Sunday, the Ghana Football Association released a statement on the suspension of all its competitions with immediate effect until further notice following the directives given by the President of the Republic.

    As a result, most clubs in the Premier League released their players including Hearts of Oak.

    However, the club has rescinded its decision and has called on all the players and the technical team to resume training as they prepare for the possible return of football in the coming weeks.

    Ghana has recorded seven cases of coronavirus and is putting measures in place to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

    Hearts of Oak are currently 9th on the league table with 21 points after 14 matches played thus far.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Bechem United will not break camp amid coronavirus concerns- CEO

    Bechem United Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nana Kwesi Darlington says the club will not break camp despite the suspension of the league due to the coronavirus outbreak.

    A directive from the Government of Ghana on Monday has seen all public gathering suspended for the next four weeks due to the Covid-19 which has seen most Premier League clubs break camp.

    Bechem United intends to keep players in camp and continue with their normal activities till the league resumes.

    “The players are still in camp and we are yet to release them”, Nana Kwesi Darlington told Asempa FM.

    He explained that as part of the clubs policy to prevent their players from getting the virus, the players will remain in camp so they do not get infected with the virus when they are released.

    “What if we allow the players to go home and they get infected by the disease. So we intend to keep them here in camp”.

    “Plans have been put in place for the players to be tested to ensure they are safe whilst in camp”.

    Bechem United lie eighth on the league log with 22 points after match day 15 of the 2019/20 Ghana Premier League.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • GPHA suspends cruise vessels heading to Ghana

    The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has yesterday suspended all cruise vessels from entering Ghanaian waters and docking at our ports.

    This is aimed at making sure the spread of the Covid-19 is controlled.

    General Manager Marketing and Corporate Affairs at the GPHA, Esther Donkor said the new directive has been communicated to stakeholders at the port.

    Giving reasons for the decision, Esther Donkor said cruise vessels come in with a lot of people who will later be transported to the various tourist sites endangering the country.

    He added that on daily basis school children and other organizations visit them and all these activities have been put on hold to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

    “We are suspending cruise vessels because they come with a lot of people and then normally they have to be bused by travel and tour agencies to go to various sites, as for the cargo vessels we have not taken any action on their suspension yet. We are also suspending tours to our ports, we have a lot of school children and organizations visiting our port on a daily basis.”

    On measures being taken to contain any case of suspected Covid-19, she said the separate anchorage area has been designated as an isolation place for any suspected case.

    “All the vessels coming we have the anchorage quarantine area where you will not come into the port proper and the necessary checks will be done.”

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Coronavirus: Manhyia museum closed

    The Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital, has been closed down as a result of the deadly coronavirus.

    The historical museum established in 1925 and situated at the Manhyia Palace, the seat of Asantehene, is highly patronised by tourists especially foreigners.

    The museum provides fair insight into the culture of Asanteland and Ghana’s cultural legacy from its colonisation by Great Britain.

    The shutdown of the museum, according to Baffour Osei Hyiamang Bretuo VI, the Otumfuo Manwerehene, was due to the pandemic coronavirus.

    Baffour Osei Hyiamang Bretuo VI said the decision to shutdown the museum was directed by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, coupled with President Akufo-Addo’s ban on all social gatherings to prevent the spread of the disease.

    The chief also indicated that the Palace has put precautionary measures in place, adding that those visiting the palace are screened before allowed to enter.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • FIFA postpones new Club World Cup 2021 in China, AFCON schedule to be discussed

    The Federation of International Football Association has revealed that it will recommend to its Bureau of Council members today to accept the proposal to postpone next year’s FIFA Confederations Cup and the revamped FIFA Club World Cup in the wake of the CoronaVirus crisis that has ravaged football.

    The proposal will be tabled during a Fifa Bureau of the Council meeting via video conference scheduled for later today which would also discuss the timing for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he will recommend accepting the postponement of the European Championship and Copa America to next summer because of the health crisis facing the world.

    The postponement of the two competitions in Europe and South America means it will clash with the two aforementioned Fifa competitions.

    The two competitions will also clash with the original schedule of the Africa Cup of Nations which is also scheduled to be held in June and July of 2021.

    With the postponement of the Euros and Copa America, the Afcon will also be affected which means some compromise must be reached in that direction too.

    In a pragmatic approach, Fifa President said they will be looking to moving the FIFA Confederations Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, which were originally scheduled for next summer so that the world’s football calendar would not be in disarray while maintaining a common purpose among the global football family.

    Those suggestions, “to find balanced solutions for the good of football,” Infantino said, will be made by him on a Bureau of the Council conference call today.

    “The world is facing an unprecedented health challenge and a global and collective response is needed,” Infantino said.

    “Cooperation, mutual respect and understanding must be the guiding principles for all decision-makers to have in mind at this crucial moment in time.”

    Infantino said a decision would be made at a later day, “when there is more clarity on the situation,” on when to play the FIFA Club World Cup, either later in 2021, in 2022 or in 2023.

    He said he will also have a conversation with the Chinese FA and the Chinese government to postpone that competition, which includes the winner of the Concacaf Champions League.

    Infantino will also discuss the current international calendar with the hopes of finding solutions by the end of April.

    He also pledged $10 million from FIFA to the World Health Organization COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, while also mentioning the possibility of establishing “a Global Football Assistance Fund to help members of the football community affected by this crisis.”

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Coronavirus: KNUST manufactures and releases affordable hand sanitizers

    The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has manufactured its own alcohol-based hand sanitizers to help stop Coronavirus from spreading in Ghana.

    There has been a reported shortage of hand sanitizers following the confirmation of Ghana’s first Coronavirus cases.

    Even those with a few stocks have reportedly hiked the prices to astronomical levels following the announcement sanitizers with about 70% alcohol volume are the best substitutes for handwashing amid the Coronavirus scare.

    In what is a quick-fix solution to the problem by KNUST, the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the university has released their own sanitizers which are to sell at affordable prices.

    According to a report, the new Pharmaclean Hand Sanitizers will come in varied volumes.

    The school’s university relations officer, Dr Norris Bekoe, who is reported to have broken the news, is quoted to have put the price of the product between GHC15 – GHC25, depending on the volume or size.

    Dr Bekoe said the sanitizers were yet to hit the open market but were available for bulk order by wholesalers.

    Just like recommended, Pharmaclean has an alcohol content of 70% and it is expected to be highly effective fo combat the virus.

    The release of the product is expected to address the issue of shortage and reduce the abnormal cost of sanitizers in shops across the country.

    Coronavirus: KNUST manufactures and releases affordable hand sanitizers

  • Coronavirus: Schools in Tamale use WhatsApp to educate pupils

    Some private schools in the Tamale metropolis have resorted to online assignments to enable pupils to keep up with studies.

    Some schools have formed whats App groups for parents to enable them to send homework to pupils, while others have sent text messages to parents asking them to come to school for assignments for their wards.

    Some parents who spoke with Radio Ghana welcomed the development saying though it is not adequate, it is better under the circumstances.

    Meanwhile working parents in the Tamale metropolis are now struggling to balance work with childcare.

    Some working mothers in an interview with Radio Savannah in Tamale said, managing children at home while going to work will be a daunting task in the coming days.

    Some have also revealed that they have purchased food items, medicines, water and other house supplies in preparation for a potential shut down of commercial acs.

    Radio Savannah checks at the Tamale Central and Aboabo markets also showed that prices of foodstuff have gone up slightly as a result of the increased demand.

    Ghana is on high alert, following seven confirmed cases of COVID-19.

    Source: gbcghanaonline.com

  • Reduce mobile money charges by 50% to reduce spread of coronavirus – Internal auditors to telcos

    The Institute of Internal Auditors Ghana has called on Bank of Ghana and Telecom operators to consider reducing charges on mobile money transactions by at least 50%. This they believe will help minimize the spread of Coronavirus.

    The use of physical cash according to health professionals can contribute to the spread of Covid-19.

    Chairman of the Advocacy Committee of Internal Auditors Ghana Kofi Apengtem said the central bank should take advantage of this in promoting the cashless economy agenda.

    Explaining their call to Joy FM, he said the reduction in Momo charges will reduce how people come in contact with physical cash hence reducing their risk of being infected with the virus.

    Speaking on the losses that they may incur, Kofi Apengtem said the increase in volumes of transactions due to the action will compensate for their losses.

    “Bank of Ghana and the Telecos can help all of us by reducing the transfer charges on mobile money, Momo is almost everywhere and I believe that the increased volumes in transactions will handsomely compensate for the initial loss that they may incur in halving their transfer charges, I believe that we also need to protect our health workers when we are paying fees at the hospitals and pharmacies by using MOMO and other cashless systems or else we may kill them before they will be able to help us as a country.”

    Gov’t condemns abnormal hike in prices of goods

    The government has condemned the abnormal increase in prices of goods and services on the Ghanaian market.

    Since the confirmation of Covid-19 in the country prices of some products like hand sanitizers and tissue paper have gone up astronomically on the market.

    As being some of the essential products to help prevent the spread of the virus people are now rushing to buy as a precautionary measure.

    Due to the panic buying most shops have increased their prices.

    At a stakeholder meeting in Accra, the Minister for Information Kojo Opppong Nkrumah said this is not the time for people to be unduly profiteering on their products and services.

    The Minister appealed to Ghanaians to sell at moderate prices for everyone to have access to the needed products that will help fight the spread of Covid-19.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Coronavirus: Were stranded – Ghanaian students in Italy

    The Ghana Union of Ghana Students in Italy has written to President Akufo-Addo asking him to come to their rescue as some of them are stranded in the face of the coronavirus outbreak.

    The union in its letter is asking that the president either brings them home or support them with the needed logistics to help protect them against the deadly virus in Italy.

    They want this to be done before things get out of hand.

    “The lockdown has also restricted our movement to and fro all other economic activities that support students to make ends meet,” they bemoaned.

    “In view of this, we have become financially handicapped to support ourselves even money for logistics to help prevent ourselves from the coronavirus have become difficult to buy.”

    Read the full letter below

    Tuesday, 17th March 2020

    The President, Ghana
    H.E Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo
    Flagstaff House, Accra.

    We bring you greetings in the name of the Almighty God and as well as all Ghanaian students in Italy.

    On behalf of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS)-Italy, we write to make it known to the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, to come to the aid of the numerous stranded Ghanaian Students in Italy.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Korle Bu constructing 50-bed treatment centre in one month to deal with cases

    The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is in the process of constructing a new epidemic disease treatment centre to deal with cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    Joy News reports that the 50-bed capacity facility is expected to be completed within the period of just a month.

    When completed, it will augment the existing ones at the Tema General Hospital and the Ridge Hospital.

    The facility will also be used as a treatment centre for all cases of coronavirus and other infectious diseases.

    This comes after the number of Coronavirus cases recorded in Ghana rose to seven within the last one week.

    Last Thursday, the Ghana government officially confirmed that the country has recorded its first two cases of the coronavirus.

    Five more persons have since tested positive, with over 150 contacts traced by the Ministry of Health.

    Meanwhile, the government has put in place some travel restrictions into the country, with President Akufo-Addo also announcing a ban on all social gatherings and sporting activities.

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: New admissions to be thoroughly screened – Prisons Service

    The Ghana Prisons Service in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Health has released a statement about additional steps being taken to contain the spread of coronavirus in our prisons.

    Public Relations Officer, Supt. Courage Atsem made it clear to Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5fm that as the novel coronavirus continues to spread across the country, the prison system in Ghana has begun new screening protocols for new admissions.

    The new protocols he explained include prisoners and all persons who enter their facilities.

    He said they have also made the provision of sanitizers and running water for use at the gate and vantage points inside prisons, wearing of face mask by prison staff and visitors, quarantining and referral of suspected cases to appropriate health facilities among others.

    The Ghana Prisons Service remains committed to ensuring family and friends can visit loved ones, with as limited disruption to the normal visiting process as possible, while also actively working to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the country, he ended.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • More foreigners denied entry into Ghana over coronavirus

    Travelers from ten different countries seeking to enter Ghana were turned away yesterday at the Kotoka International Airport.

    The action of the airport authorities is in line with the government’s travel advisory issued on Sunday banning travels from epic centers of Covid-19.

    The directive became necessary after all cases recorded in Ghana were imported from foreign countries.

    “All travels at this stage is strongly discouraged until further notice, second any traveler except for Ghanaian citizens and persons with Ghana resident permit who within the last 14 days have been to a country that has recorded at least 200 cases of Covid-19 will not be permitted into the Ghanaian jurisdiction. Airlines are instructed not to allow such persons to embark on any trip, border posts are not to allow such people into the jurisdiction.”

    The Managing Director of the Ghana Airport Company Yaw Kwakwa explained in a radio interview monitored by primenewsghana.com that some of the passengers were on Ethiopian Airlines, Emirate and Delta Airlines.

    He said the numbers of the turned away foreigners will be made known in due course.

    “All the people that fit the criteria of not being a resident and coming from Covid-19 affected countries were turned away, there were people on Ethiopia Airline, Emirate and one person on Delta Airlines. We publish a notice yesterday to alert all airlines from 1 pm admit people………. I cannot tell you everything but the numbers will come out in the due course.”

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Santol Energy distributes free hand sanitisers, reduces fuel prices to ¢4.9

    Santol Energy has announced what appears to be a double bonanza for motorists with the distribution of freehand sanitizers to all its customers and a reduction in prices of products at all fuel stations across the country.

    A litre of petrol is now selling at 4.9 cedis per litre, down from 5.25 a litre, one of the lowest in the market, CEO of the Company Alhaji Fareed Amin Yakubu has confirmed.

    “The free sanitizers are part of efforts by Santol to help in the fight against the deadly Coronavirus pandemic and to reduce the hoarding and racketeering of the sanitizers.

    “As for the reduction in the prices of fuel, it has always been our delight to provide our cherished customers with the lowest and most competitive prices on the market while still maintaining the product quality,” CEO of Santol Energy Alhaji Fareed said ahead of the grand opening of a brand new fuel station at Gomoa Mpata in the Central Region.

    Grand Opening

    The new station which is located close to the Apostle Safo junction in the Central Region is part of the plans by management to expand across every nook and cranny in the country and to provide motorists with superior services.

    The new station, as well as the existing ones, is set to provide ‘clean fuel and friendly service’ to its customers under hygienic conditions with safety protocols against the coronavirus pandemic, Alhaji Fareed said.

    “Drivers, passengers and their customers can be assured of good hand-washing practices with soap under running water. Drivers on a long-distance journey are to anticipate getting a promo food pack whilst those with long trailers and buses will get their trucks washed for free as drivers take a nap before they continue their long journey,” he added.

    Santol Energy which is one of the burgeoning Oil companies in the downstream sector has been meticulous in its service delivery with strict adherence to safety protocols outlined by the regulator.

    It only recently received the ISO certification which is a testimony of the company’s reliability for business, productiveness and consumer satisfaction.

    Source: Santol Energy

  • Did Bill Gates predict coronavirus pandemic in 2015?

    In 2015, a year after some African countries had been severely hit by the deadly Ebola, leaving in its wake a long train of victims, American business magnate Bill Gates appears to have warned the world of a graver epidemic.

    In a video sighted by GhanaWeb, the co-founder of Microsoft noted that although the greatest threat to humanity when he was growing up was nuclear war, the narrative is different now since it would be taken over by a virus.

    “If anything kills over 10 million people in the next few decades, it’s most likely to be a highly infectious virus rather than a war”, he told an audience at TEDx

    Additionally, Mr Gates cited the Spanish flu of 1918 which killed more than 30 million people as an example of what could happen if there was an epidemic.

    Since its outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019 the coronavirus has obtained astronomical numbers with 190,837 recorded cases globally.

    The disease which has been described as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation has recorded a mortality rate of 7,528 casualties and a total of 80,889 patients recovering.

    Watch Bill Gate’s video below appears to have warned the world of a graver epidemic.

    In a video sighted by GhanaWeb, the co-founder of Microsoft noted that although the greatest threat to humanity when he was growing up was nuclear war, the narrative is different now since it would be taken over by a virus.

    “If anything kills over 10 million people in the next few decades, it’s most likely to be a highly infectious virus rather than a war”, he told an audience at TEDx

    Additionally, Mr Gates cited the Spanish flu of 1918 which killed more than 30 million people as an example of what could happen if there was an epidemic.

    Since its outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019 the coronavirus has obtained astronomical numbers with 190,837 recorded cases globally.

    The disease which has been described as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation has recorded a mortality rate of 7,528 casualties and a total of 80,889 patients recovering.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com