Tag: coronavirus in Ghana

The Weija-Gbawe Municipality has not recorded a case of COVID-19, also called the corona virus the Municipal Assembly has stated.

The denial is in reaction to some media reports that a case of COVID-19 has been recorded at the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Hospital.

In a statement, The Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly explained that on Monday, 16 March 2020, a 38-year-old lady reported at the hospital with a case of sore throat, high temperature and difficulty in breathing which are symptoms of the COVID-19 but laboratory tests at the Noguchi Medical Centre have proved negative.

“The Weija-Gbawe Municipal Hospital, therefore, has no case of COVID-19,” the statement said.

It added that the Hospital has erected screening tents at the entrances to ensure that all visitors to the facility pass through thorough examinations before entry.

The Municipal Assembly further said it has also taken steps to ensure strict adherence to the President’s orders.

Source: classfmonline. com

The Canadian High Commission in Ghana has shut down “until further notice” following the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus in the country.

A Tweet posted on the Commission Twitter timeline reads, “In doing our part to #flattenthecurve & prevent the spread of #COVID19, our offices are closed to the general public until further notice.”

Top officials of the High Commission are set to leave the country.

This brings to three the number of foreign missions that have shut down due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Ghana after the Netherlands and Norwegian Embassies halted operations.

The Norwegian Embassy shut down last week after a top official imported the virus into Ghana.

“The Embassy of Norway can confirm that one of our colleagues has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The person is in quarantine and the Embassy is in close dialogue with Ghana Health Service,” the Embassy stated via its Facebook page.

The Netherlands Embassy also followed suit stating that “following the confirmation by the Norwegian Embassy that one of its staff has tested positive for Covid-19, and given that Norwegian and Netherlands Embassies share the same building, the Netherlands Embassy in Ghana is closed down until further notice.”

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Out of the total of six confirmed cases of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Ghana, 350 contacts have been identified as of Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS), for these confirmed cases, there are still no local transmissions as of now as all the cases are imported.

A follow up for the identified contacts are still ongoing, the GHS has explained.

The Minister of Health and relevant stakeholders met the Parliamentary Select Committee on health to deliberate on current progress and what the government of Ghana and the Ministry of Health and other relevant ministries, departments and agencies are doing to ensure the safety of Ghanaians with the current Covid-19 Pandemic.

Coronavirus infects more than 182,424 people and has killed at least 7,155 worldwide.

Globally, there are 95,836 existing cases of Tuesday morning, March 17, 2020, 182,424 confirmed cases and 79,433 recovered cases.

In respect of deaths, there are 7,155 of them

It has been revealed that houseflies can transmit the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Aboagye disclosed that houseflies can transmit the virus, especially in a dirty environment.

“That’s why we say clean surfaces regularly and well . . . ” he answered to a question as to whether houseflies and mosquitoes can transmit the coronavirus.

Source: peacefmonline.com

The Local Government Minister has directed all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to negotiate for free airtime on FM station so they can educate the public on coronavirus preventive measures.

According to Hajia Alima Mahama, the MMDCEs are also expected to make available handwashing facilities with running water and hand sanitisers at vantage points in markets and all public places.

The instruction follows a directive by President Akufo-Addo to the Ministry of Local Government to liaise with relevant authorities to improve hygiene standards in the markets.

President Akufo-Addo in his address to the nation on Sunday, March 15, directed schools in the country to shut down effective Monday, March 16, 2020.

He also announced a ban on all public gatherings before directing the Ministry of Local Government to liaise with other institutions to curb the spread of the virus which has affected some six individuals.

Responding to these directives in a press release to the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), the sector minister asked the assemblies to adhere to the directives with immediate effect by putting the necessary measures in place.

Find the press release below

Source: myjoyonline 

Independent presidential aspirant, Marricke Kofi Gane says our best chances in dealing with the coronavirus lies in prevention considering the gaps in our health system.

He said each of us should be part of the campaign to prevent the spread by reporting cases.

He called on the government to show leadership by ensuring that every public official who has travelled outside Ghana in the last 30 days to get tested.

This he suggested will show both the severity and non-discriminatory nature of the threats that confront us as well as give confidence to the recovery procedures the government has put in place for citizens.

He called for hand hygiene supplies in all public buildings, supply enough protective equipment and test kits in health facilities.

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). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that 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.

A human rights lawyer has called on government to decongest prisons across the country in a bid to curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus among inmates.

Francis-Xavier Sosu in a statement said the overcrowded nature of prisons puts all inmates at risk should one of them get infected with the dreaded pandemic.

He has, as a consequence, called on government “to decongest the prisons by freeing prisoners whose crimes are not a threat to society and who are serving low sentences.”

“Ultimately, it will support the fight against the spread of COVID-19,” Mr Sosu argues.

According to him, “the state stands to benefit more for putting offenders of minor offences to community and other social services.”

“The current situation is costly for governments to be funding prisoners whose economic and other contributions to the state is zero,” he said.

Read his full statement below

On the 3rd of March, 2020 the BBC reported “Iran has temporarily released more than 54,000 prisoners in an effort to combat the spread of the new coronavirus disease in crowded jails”

The report further stated “Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told reporters the inmates were allowed out of prison after testing negative for Covid-19 and posting bail”

Can similar measures be taken to help in the combat of the disease in Ghana? Ghana prisons are 52.87% overpopulated. The 44 prison stations in Ghana have a total holding capacity of 9945 inmates but currently house 15,203 inmates.

At the Nsawam prison for instance, currently houses over 3500 inmates although originally built for about 900 inmates. Every single cell contains an average of 44 inmates instead of 20. Of the 44 inmates, 18 sleep on beds and the 26 sleep on the floor. During sleeping hours, the inmates are arranged in a “canned sardine” way. One dares to wake up at night; you may stand until dawn breaks for the doors to be opened.

As a result, there is poor ventilation thereby increasing the room temperature beyond the normal temperature prevailing outside. All these are perfect conditions for the spread of COVID-19.

At the moment, there is no precautionary measure implemented at the gates of the prisons and within the prison yard to ensure convicts, officers and the general public visiting the Nsawam Prison are properly screened. This puts inmates at serious risk of the pandemic.  The prison clinic is poorly resourced to even manage or quarantine a suspected condition.

It is therefore suggested for governments to consider the option of freeing prisoners serving minor sentences and whose offence is not a threat to national security.

In the long term, governments should consider seriously the idea of improving the conditions at the prisons. Significantly, there is a need to review the criminal code of Ghana to come to terms with international standards. The state stands to benefit more for putting offenders of minor offences to community and other social services. The current situation is costly for governments to be funding prisoners whose economic and other contributions to the state is zero.

In conclusion, COVID-19 is a threat to the overpopulated prisons of Ghana and thus the need to decongest the prisons by freeing prisoners whose crimes are not a threat to society and who are serving low sentences. Ultimately, it will support the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

Source: myjoyonline

The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLs) has advised the government to resource other teaching centres to test suspected cases for coronavirus in the country rather than focusing on the two specialized centres.

According to the Association, the two centres which are the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research might not be able to contain other cases of the latest pandemic if it spreads rapidly in the country.

In an interview on Unique FM today, March 17 2020, President of the Association, Dr Ignatius A.N. Awinibuno indicated the need for more specialized testing centres of the deadly Covid-19 to assist in the fight of the disease

”All attention is on Noguchi and KCCI but what if we have thousand, two thousand cases coming out, do these people have the capacity to handle all these cases? All the teaching hospitals do specialized testing, we are talking about the use of higher technology to do this. We want to question the government why the attention is on only two testing centres. As a professional body, we want to advise that this is too risky and we are technical people, they must take this counsel seriously before we are hit because this may not be the only outbreak others may come”.

Dr Awinibuno also said it is necessary for the government to scale up the capacity of other public facilities to provide such services, adding testing centres should be established closeby and resourced to handle such cases.

It will be recalled that on March 15 2020, the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLs) issued a communique advising its members to withdraw from environments where personal protective equipment (PPEs) are not available for the discharge of their duties.

Justifying their directive in the interview, Dr Awinibuno indicated that without the proper PPEs to protect the health workers and the suspected Covid-19 patient, there are high consequences imposed on them.

Again, in his defence, he added that health workers do not have insurance covers to even protect them in case they are infected with the virus, therefore their directive to its members.

Source: primenewsghana.com

Communications Director for the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), Joyce Afutu, has stated that her outfit is expecting the government to release funds for them to educate Ghanaians on coronavirus effectively.

She said NCCE submitted a proposal to the appropriate authorities six weeks ago and is still awaiting a response from them.

“About six weeks ago, we put together a proposal and a budget to the appropriate authorities so that we can commence sensitization and to heighten awareness of the disease and how people can prevent it,” she maintained.

According to Madam Afutu, although NCCE has not yet received the funding, they have in their own little way embarked on some sensitization campaigns across the country.

“We have been to Teshie-Nungua, Adabraka, Tema station, Odokor Market, Kantamanto, Kaneshie, Osu and surrounding communities, Kanda, Cantonments, South Labadi Estates and in other regions,” she stated.

She also established that the NCCE is making use of its social media, free airtime and permanent slots given to them by some media houses and community centers.

“We have some permanent media slots and some radio stations have community centres where we have free airtime so we are utilizing that and on our social media pages we are publicizing information from the WHO, Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service. That is what we are doing now awaiting our budget to intensify activities,” she added.

Meanwhile, the country has confirmed six cases of the COVID-19, with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announcing measures to curb the spread, including suspension of public gatherings for four weeks and closure of universities, senior secondary and basic schools indefinitely.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The Christ Apostolic Church International, has welcomed the decision by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to ban all public gathering activities including church services.

This was contained in a general circular signed by the General Secretary, Apostle S. Frimpong and released on March 16, 2020, to all church members, sighted by GhanaWeb.

“The Executive Council of the Christ Apostolic Church International associates itself with the government’s quest to control the spread of the CONVID-19 disease,” part of the statement reads.

Having suspended all church activities pursuant to the president’s directive, the Executive Council also tasked its pastors to continue educating members on the basic preventive measures.

Pastors additionally have been encouraged not to abandon church members in the midst of the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus, especially with Ghana recording 6 cases.

“Ministers are encouraged not to turn their backs on members in these trying moments,” the statement said.

Read the full statement below:

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Greater Accra Regional Director of Health, Dr Charity Sarpong has said the fastest way to be infested by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease is by using gloves.

She explained that wearing gloves gave false security, which made people think they were protected from the disease when, in fact, it exposed them more to it.

Dr Sarpong was speaking at a sensitisation session on COVID-19 for members of the Grace Baptist Church at Sakumono in Accra.

She said those who wore gloves used them for everything, thinking they were safe and would not wash their hands, which was dangerous.

She noted that healthy people need not wear facemasks but must rather stick to the protective guidelines, adding that it was infected persons that had to wear the masks in order not to spread the virus through their droplets.

Dr Sarpong assured Ghanaians that the country had capable health professionals to take care of the situation and urged them to immediately call the emergency lines provided by the Ghana Health Service (0558439868 or 0509497700) for treatment when they experience symptoms like fever, cough, sneezing and difficulty in breathing.

She said 60 out of a hundred people that would be exposed to the disease would not develop the symptoms and would recover on their own adding that few would progress to the serious stages and encouraged Ghanaians not to panic but avoid close contacts with people.

Dr Afua Twumasi, a Public Health Officer, on her part, advised citizens to wash their hands with soap under running water.

Demonstrating how to wash the hands, she said the palm, in between the fingers, the thumbs, the nails and the back of the hands should be washed thoroughly, adding that it should be the same way sanitizers were also applied.

COVID-19 is a family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

These viruses were originally transmitted between animals and people.

The symptoms include fever, cough, cold, and breathing difficulties and in more severe cases can lead to pneumonia, multiple organ failure and death.

Health experts advise that individuals observed personal hygiene, be physically active, drink plenty of water, eat healthily, avoid stress and have enough sleep to stay safe.

Source: GNA

The authorities in Liberia say they have confirmed a second case of COVID-19 in the country.

The man, the say, worked as a domestic worker for the country’s first patient – a government official who arrived in the country last week from Switzerland.

Nathaniel Blama, the head of Environmental Protection Agency, has since been suspended by President George Weah for allegedly refusing to follow health protocols.

Mr Blama denies the accusations.

The authorities are working to trace people who had contact with Mr Blama and his domestic worker who has been named as Johnny Phillips, a statement from the ministry of information said.

Source: BBC 

Pictures of a huge crowd made up of residents of Teshie in the Greater Accra Region fighting one another in a bid to get access to good drinking water has hit social media.

The pictures, which showed the jostling crowd carrying buckets, gallons and containers, were first shared online by former Deputy Communication Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu on his Facebook page.

He added the following message.

“These are disturbing pictures from Teshie on showing people have to scramble for water.Meanwhile,there is a desalination plant constructed under the NDC government which can supply water to over 500,000 inhabitants within Teshie and beyond,which has remained closed since 2018.And this at time when strict hygiene practices need to be observed in view of the Coronavirus outbreak.Our citizens definitely deserve better.”

Ghana had confirmed six cases of the COVID-19 as at March 15, with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announcing measures to curb the spread including suspension of public gatherings for four weeks and closure of universities, senior secondary and basic schools indefinitely.

In Teshie however, the large crowds were out to look for water to fetch.i

This comes after water shortage hit the The Teshie-Nungua areas following the closure of the Desalination Water Project.

The Teshie Desalination plant is also noted for some controversial contracts between the Ghana Water Company Limited and Befesa Desalination Development Ghana, which was reportedly costing the government an amount GHc6 million monthly.

Board Chairman of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Alexander Afenyo Markin said the shutdown was in the interest of Ghana.

The project involved the desalination of sea water at Teshie by Befesa Aqua of Spain implemented through a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) arrangement. The Project produced 13.2 million gallons of water daily to serve about 500,000 people in and around Nungua, Teshie, Burma Camp, Baatsona, Sakumono and parts of La-Dadekotopon and was completed in November 2014.

Source:MyNewsGH.com

Dr Charity Sarpong, the Greater Accra Regional Director of Health, said the fastest way to be infested by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease is by using gloves.

She explained that wearing gloves gave false security, which made people think they were protected from the disease when, in fact, it exposed them more to it.

Dr Sarpong was speaking at a sensitisation session on COVID-19 for members of the Grace Baptist Church at Sakumono in Accra.

She said those who wore gloves used them for everything, thinking they were safe and would not wash their hands, which was dangerous.

She noted that healthy people need not wear facemasks but must rather stick to the protective guidelines, adding that it was infected persons that had to wear the masks in order not to spread the virus through their droplets.

Dr Sarpong assured Ghanaians that the country had capable health professionals to take care of the situation and urged them to immediately call the emergency lines provided by the Ghana Health Service (0558439868 or 0509497700) for treatment when they experience symptoms like fever, cough, sneezing and difficulty in breathing.

She said 60 out of a hundred people that would be exposed to the disease would not develop the symptoms and would recover on their own adding that few would progress to the serious stages and encouraged Ghanaians not to panic but avoid close contacts with people.

Dr Afua Twumasi, a Public Health Officer, on her part, advised citizens to wash their hands with soap under running water.

Demonstrating how to wash the hands, she said the palm, in between the fingers, the thumbs, the nails and the back of the hands should be washed thoroughly, adding that it should be the same way sanitizers were also applied.

COVID-19 is a family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

These viruses were originally transmitted between animals and people.

The symptoms include fever, cough, cold, and breathing difficulties and in more severe cases can lead to pneumonia, multiple organ failure and death.

Health experts advise that individuals observed personal hygiene, be physically active, drink plenty of water, eat healthily, avoid stress and have enough sleep to stay safe.

Source: GNA

The Ghana Chamber of Technology has advised Ghanaians to resort to the use of technology to avoid the spread of COVID-19 which has been described by the World Health Organisation as a pandemic.

The Chamber says it is satisfied and applauds the moves by the government to contain the spread but believes technology will bolster efforts towards the management of the spread of the virus and minimise its impact on the social and economic lives of Ghanaians.

The Chamber in a statement is, therefore, asking Ghanaians to use technology to communicate, to transact business and to access the news.

The Chamber wants Ghanaians to do the following:

“We strongly advise people to explore the use of digital platforms to access government services such as passport applications where possible.

“Payment Apps and Online Banking Platforms offered by fintechs and banks for their financial transactions.

“Ecommerce platforms for the purchasing of their consumables and other needed products.

“Email, Chatting and Messaging apps such as Skype, Zoom, Google Talk, Whatsapp for their social interactions.

“Actively use digital news and information dissemination portals and platforms such as blogs, social media and official sites of national agencies, local and international organisations and credible news sources to update themselves on the Virus.”

The Chamber noted that it would support and work with all stakeholders in all efforts to find solutions to manage the spread of COVID-19.

“We advise that businesses work with technology experts to develop and implement business continuity and digital response plans to ensure customers have unhindered access to critical services,” the statement added.

The Chamber further encouraged all religious institutions to explore the use of digital tools and channels to congregate and conduct religious activities while people also use digital avenues to conduct conferences, meetings and events that require the gathering of large people.

Source: classfmonline.com

Dr Charity Sarpong, the Greater Accra Regional Director of Health, said the fastest way to be infested by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease is by using gloves.

She explained that wearing gloves gave false security, which made people think they were protected from the disease when, in fact, it exposed them more to it.

Dr Sarpong was speaking at a sensitisation session on COVID-19 for members of the Grace Baptist Church at Sakumono in Accra.

She said those who wore gloves used them for everything, thinking they were safe and would not wash their hands, which was dangerous.

She noted that healthy people need not wear facemasks but must rather stick to the protective guidelines, adding that it was infected persons that had to wear the masks in order not to spread the virus through their droplets.

Dr Sarpong assured Ghanaians that the country had capable health professionals to take care of the situation and urged them to immediately call the emergency lines provided by the Ghana Health Service (0558439868 or 0509497700) for treatment when they experience symptoms like fever, cough, sneezing and difficulty in breathing.

She said 60 out of a hundred people that would be exposed to the disease would not develop the symptoms and would recover on their own adding that few would progress to the serious stages and encouraged Ghanaians not to panic but avoid close contacts with people.

Dr Afua Twumasi, a Public Health Officer, on her part, advised citizens to wash their hands with soap under running water.

Demonstrating how to wash the hands, she said the palm, in between the fingers, the thumbs, the nails and the back of the hands should be washed thoroughly, adding that it should be the same way sanitizers were also applied.

COVID-19 is a family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

These viruses were originally transmitted between animals and people.

The symptoms include fever, cough, cold, and breathing difficulties and in more severe cases can lead to pneumonia, multiple organ failure and death.

Health experts advise that individuals observed personal hygiene, be physically active, drink plenty of water, eat healthily, avoid stress and have enough sleep to stay safe.

Source: GNA

A suspected case of Covid-19 has been recorded at the Akawey government hospital annex in the Weija Gbawe Municipality.

Health officials say the individual a 38 year old Ghanaian national returned from the United Kingdom on March 6, 2020, with symptoms similar to coronavirus patient.

Speaking to Kingdom News in an interview Dr. Cynthia Lamptey Deputy Director of nursing services for the hospital indicated that the patient has been quarantined and will be transferred to a bigger facility for further test.

She disclosed this to the media when the NDC parliamentary candidate for Weija Gbawe constituency donated hand sanitizers, detours, tissues, and other antiseptics to the hospital today.

Moreover, the NDC parliamentary candidate for Weija Gbawe constituency Hon Nii Ayaa Ayison explained his motive behind the donation.

He has used the opportunity to sensitize the general public to be extra careful and put proper measures in place to prevent the coronavirus.

Source: kingdomfmonline.com

Professor Samuel Duncan, a Ghanaian doctor has claimed that COA FS, a drug he produced has the potency to cure sufferers of coronavirus.

Although his claim is yet to be affirmed scientifically, Prof. Duncan reinforced COA FS is a potential cure for coronavirus in an interview with GHOne News.

COA FS is said to be working perfectly on a few patients that got infected with the coronavirus in China.

Dr. Duncan claims that his drug cured two patients in China who were on the verge of dying after getting infected with the disease but recovered in just five days after administering the organic supplement.

He called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to open their doors and test his medication to determine the potency of his home-made product.

Professor Duncan wants the global community to conduct a trial test for his organic supplement and injection as a potential cure for COVID-19.

Already, fifty boxes of the product have been sent to China following a request by a Chinese national who knows about the drugs.

GHOne News reported that in the last two weeks the supplement has helped a number of COVID-19 sufferers in China.

Professor Samuel Duncan said the supplement supports the human immune system which enables their recovery.

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh previously reported that just as this latest married couple, 2020 has kicked off as a very wonderful and memorable year for some people as they tied the knot with their ”soul mates” in blissful nuptials.

And images from the traditional marriage of a couple that have surfaced online are warming hearts. The bride, Biney, shared a series of photos online and revealed she married her bestie.

Biney and her sweetheart tied the knot in a beautiful traditional marriage on February 8, 2020 in Accra and gorgeous images of her styled in stunning African print evokes blissful nostalgia.

With nearly visible trembling lips showing in the pictures, Biney who was overwhelmed by love got married to her prince with her heart full of joy.

source: yen.com.gh

A host of pastors have called on President Akufo-Addo to reconsider his decision to pull the breaks on gatherings at churches as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Leading the charge are Rev. Wengham of the Cedar Mountain Chapel, East Legon Assemblies of God and Dr. Lawrence Tetteh of the Worldwide Miracle Outreach.

Rev. Wengham believes a ban on church activities in the country is bound to have an impact on the finances of churches.

According to him, the payments of tithes and offerings of the members of various churches will be greatly affected by the ban.

“It’s going to affect us seriously because how are we going to pay the bills?,” Rev Wengham lamented un an interview with Accra-based Citi FM.

Meanwhile, Dr Lawrence Tetteh also called on the President to rescind his decision to ban gatherings at churches and mosques.

In his view, the government must make use of religious leaders, since they are the best persons to sensitize the public on the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr Tetteh said members of the public are more likely to listen to advise from religious leaders than politicians.

“…We have to get a place where we can get church leaders to sensitise their followers and the congregation. Instead of closing the churches, mosques for now, which for us as a nation is the best medium where we can get the information across, he should rather sensitise our congregation, get our mindset transformed and get a broadminded approach to this thing,” he told Ghanaweb.

This comes after President Akufo-Addo announced a ban on all public gatherings for the next four weeks.

The announcement came just hours after the government announced that the number of coronavirus cases in Ghana has increased from two to six.

source; YEN.COM.GH

The Judiciary Service has ordered the suspension of cases involving the movement of convicted and remand prisoners from the prisons to the courts.

The service said in criminal appeals, the Courts should dispense with the appearance of the appellants who are in prison custody.

This comes on the back of a directive by President Akufo-Addo for measures to be put in place by institutions to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The suspension of prisoner movement to and from prison is among a number of measures put in place by the service to prevent the spread of the novel covid-19 virus

A press release issued by the service announced that courts will practice strict case management techniques such that only parties and witnesses in cases listed to be heard on particular dates would be allowed into the courtroom to avoid large gatherings.

“Judges and Magistrates should endeavour to adjourn cases to specific times on given dates, to limit the number of people that will be allowed into the courtroom,” the statement said.

The statement noted: “Judges and Magistrates should only hear cases which are of extreme urgency and as far as possible, exercise great restraint in remanding accused persons, in order to avoid overcrowding the prisons and police cells.”

“Judges and Magistrates should suspend the hearing of cases involving the movement of convicted and remand prisoners from the prisons to the Courts. In criminal appeals, the Courts should dispense with the appearance of the appellants who are in prison custody.”

Source: Starrfmonline.com

It was a hysterical moment when the sound of a cough was heard from Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa West, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, in Parliament today.

While addressing the August house, the former Health Minister coughed, an act which got MPs moving away in different directions in the Chamber.

The cough would have been ignored prior to the outbreak of the pandemic COVID-19 but as one of the major symptoms of coronavirus, MPs instinctively moved away from their colleague.

Ghana is currently faced with six confirmed cases of the widespread virus, with over 150 people having had contact with the affected persons being observed.

Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Addo Akufo-Addo on March 15, 2020, issued a directive that all outdoor events including funerals, Church activities and naming ceremonies, be suspended in the wake of coronavirus.

Schools have also been asked to close down temporarily 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 6 confirmed cases in Ghana.

But the Minority in Parliament are of the view that government has not done enough to raise awareness as well sensitize Ghanaians on the viral disease.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana (PHFAG) has called for the reimbursement of funds owed National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) providers to enable the private facilities “play a vital role” in combating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement signed by the Acting Director of the Private Health Facilities Association, Samuel Boakye Donkor, PHFA commended efforts by government in “the timely release of funds” and the general sensitisation drive to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

It noted however that the efforts of “government must reflect in utmost preparedness at all levels especially in the area of the healthcare delivery across the country” and thus called on government “to adequately resource the various private health facilities as most are likely first respondents of cases which may relate directly to infected victims.”

According to the PHFAG, “majority of private health facilities in Ghana are NHIS accredited and are inadequately equipped and incapable of handling emergency cases” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic due to “government’s inability to settle indebtedness spanning 9 to 14 months.”

Source: classfmonline.com

The Government of Ghana has reviewed its travel advisory policy in the wake of the coronavirus scare that has hit the country.

This has pushed the government to shut its borders to travelers from countries with more than 200 cases of the coronavirus

The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has underscored the need for all airlines to prevent travelers from affected countries from boarding flights.

In his communique, he also stated that citizens and resident-permit holders would be required to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival.

The information minister in his statement said, “All travel to Ghana is strongly discouraged.”

In all, twenty-four countries including Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Italy, and Japan would be affected.

Other countries are Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States would also be included.

According to Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, guidelines for self-quarantine will be available at the various ports of entry, and enforcement protocols are being deployed in collaboration with state security and health authorities to all points of entry.

Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a Facebook live video announced that all public and private schools including universities are from March 16, 2020, suspended for the next four weeks.

Also, all public gatherings have been suspended for the next four weeksas part measures to control the spread of coronavirus.

Church services, conferences, public funerals, political rallies, and all other public gatherings are also suspended.

This follows a 6-hour meeting with the inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19 rapid response.