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Tag: coronavirus in Ghana

  • Coronavirus: Ghana records 414 new cases, over 600 recoveries

    Ghana has recorded 414 more COVID-19 cases bringing the total confirmed cases to 24,248 in less than 24-hours after the last update.

    According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) official website, 619 persons who tested positive for the virus have either recovered/discharged. The total number of recoveries/discharged is now 19,831.

    The death toll is still at 135.

    The country currently has 4,282 active cases.

    The Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western and Central Regions are the top four regions with the highest cases of COVID-19.

    The Greater Accra Region has 13,302 cases, Ashanti Region has 5,150 cases, Western and Central Regions has 2,128 and 1,110 cases respectively.

    Find below the cumulative cases per the regions.

    Greater Accra Region – 13,302

    Ashanti Region – 5,150

    Western Region – 2,128

    Central Region – 1,110

    Eastern Region – 911

    Volta Region – 387

    Upper East Region – 282

    Bono East Region – 201

    Northern Region – 186

    Western North Region – 173

    Oti Region – 115

    Bono Region – 107

    Upper West Region – 70

    Ahafo Region – 66

    Savannah Region – 51

    North East Region – 9

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • About 13 final year SHS students in 4 schools test positive for COVID-19

    So far, about thirteen final year senior high school students in the country have tested positive for coronavirus just weeks after re-opening.

    The Deputy Minister of Education, in charge of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, confirmed that six students at the Accra Girls Senior High School tested positive adding that a teacher at the school together with his wife had also tested positive for the COVID-19.

    Speaking to media, he mentioned that two other students from Odorgonor SHS equally tested positive for the virus and in the Ashanti Region, three students at the Konongo Wesley SHS had tested positive for the COVID-19.

    In the Central Region, the Mfantsipim School recorded two confirmed cases of the COVID-19.

    He stated that the students had been isolated to curb the spread of the virus.

    According to him, 648 contacts tracing had been done and the people had been isolated, with a number of them tested by the Ghana Health Service.

    Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has called on the government to close schools again after some senior high school students in the country contracted the coronavirus

    The Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak said: “If the real motive to reopen schools is for final year students to prepare to write their final examinations, then a second look at this motive in the face of rising cases and reported cases in some schools is warranted.”

    In a statement, it said “We must prioritize the lives of the students, after all, how can sick or dead students write exams. The examinations can be postponed but the safety of our future leaders cannot be postponed.

    “In the last few days, Ghana recorded over 750 and over 690 cases per day. This does not provide any parent the comfort to assume the safety of their children.”

    He added: “We are of the firmest conviction that as a nation we must not wait until it is too late to do anything. Our students need to be protected from the high risks of exposure. As can be seen, the Akufo-Addo government has failed to contain the virus.”

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • GHS declares Carlos Ahenkorah coronavirus negative

    The Ghana Health Service has declared former deputy Trade minister and MP for Tema East Carlos Ahenkorah COVID-19 negative.

    Mr Ahenkorah recently resigned as a deputy minister after he was accused of breaching the COVID-19 protocols.

    In a letter addressed to the Tema East MP on Friday, July 9, 2020, and signed by the director-general of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye disclosed that Mr. Ahenkorah has obtained two consecutive negative laboratory test results for COVID-19.

    “For this reason, you are deemed to have recovered from COVID-19 infection and so can return to work,” the letter noted.

    The GHS has however cautioned the former deputy minister to continue to observe the precautionary measures since he is not immune from contracting the virus.

    “These include the use of a face mask at all times especially in public places, frequent washing of hands with soap under running water and covering of mouth and nose with tissue paper when coughing or sneezing and disposing of the used tissue properly”.

    Attached is a copy of the letter from the GHS boss to Carlos Ahenkorah.

    NOTIFICATION OF RECOVERY FROM COVID 19

    The Ghana Health Service wishes to inform you that you have obtained two consecutive negative laboratory test results for COVID 19.

    For this reason, you are deemed to have recovered from COVID 19) infection, and so can return to work. This however does not mean you are immune from contracting the virus henceforth.

    As a result, you are advised to continue to observe the under-listed precautionary measures:

    – use of a face mask at all times, especially in public places,

    – frequent washing of hands with soap under running water,

    – covering your mouth and nose with tissue paper when coughing or sneezing and disposing off the used tissue properly,

    – maintaining social and physical distancing with other people (minimum of 2 meters)

    – drinking enough water. Whilst grateful for your co-operation thus far, we are looking forward to its continuation as we strive to ensure your safety and that of other Ghanaians.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Aspiring MP arrested for organizing rally, but chief jumps to his defence

    An independent parliamentary candidate for Assin South Constituency, Joseph Kofi Damte, was arrested by the Central Regional Police Command for organizing a political rally without prior notice to the police amidst breach of other COVID-19 safety protocols.

    His actions, according to the police, are “contrary to the Provisions of the Public Order, Criminal and other offences as well as Imposition of Restrictions laws”.

    The police effected the arrest on Thursday, 9th July, 2020 after they received information on July 6, that the said rally had taken place at Assin Aworoso. Mr Damte and participants of the rally failed to wear face masks and observe the social distancing protocols according to the police.

    A news release signed by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Irene Serwaah Oppong, said “when police got to the scene, information was gathered from people who were still present that the programme had just ended and the independent candidate had left”.

    The statement indicated that the Central Regional CID has taken over the case to investigate while the suspect remains in police custody assisting investigations.

    Meanwhile, the Chief of Assin Awroso, Nana Kwasare II has denied that Mr. Kofi Damte, organized any campaign in his town.

    According to the Chief, Mr. Damte only came to his house just to pay him a visit during Mr. Damte tour on the voters registration exercise.

    The chief said he cannot go contrary to the law by allowing any politician to hold a campaign in his town whilst the President has not given permission for that.

    Nana Kwasare rather admonished the media to report on the developmental challenges facing the community such as poor road network, poor railway lines, deplorable health centres among others instead of bringing out “fake reports” to tarnish the image of his chieftaincy and his community.

    Source: angelonline.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Postmortem on every dead person would reveal terrifying figures – Kwesi Pratt

    Managing Editor of Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr says a postmortem must be conducted on all dead bodies in the country.

    Ghana has recorded 23, 834 cases of COVID-19 with 19,212 recoveries and 135 deaths.

    Out of the confirmed cases, 9,556 were detected through routine surveillance whilst the other 14,278 through contact tracing.

    According to him, there are communities in the country, particularly the Zongo areas, where deceased people are immediately buried, but he would have the government to order for an autopsy to be done on all dead bodies believing there will be new additions to the COVID-19 figures.

    “In COVID-19, postmortem must be carried out on every dead person. First of all, to enable us see the extent; to enable us determine the nature of the disease and so on. But up till date, there are a lot of communities that when a person dies, the deceased within three to four hours would be buried.”

    “So, all those figures are not recorded…If we should test every dead body and so on, maybe we would see terrifying figures,” he said.

    Source: Peace FM

  • More coronavirus patients recover, discharged in Western North Region

    A total of 140 out of 200 confirmed COVID-19 cases have recovered and discharged in the Western North Region.

    The Region now has 60 active COVID-19 cases with no deaths.

    This was contained in a Public Health Emergency Management Committee report signed by Dr Marion Okorh-Owusu, Regional Health Director and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA).

    The Regional Health Director expressed her satisfaction at the work done so far and commended health professionals and all stakeholders for the great achievement.

    She stressed that her outfit would not rest on its oars but would work hard to contain the situation.

    She encouraged residents to continue to adhere to all the safety measures to be free from the pandemic.

    Dr Okorh-Owusu further urged the residents to desist from stigmatization, adding that, those who have recovered and discharged were free of the virus and should be accepted back into the community.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Education Ministry, GES close for disinfection exercise after COVID-19 infections

    The Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service have closed their offices temporarily to allow for a disinfection exercise.

    This is after the Education Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who has recovered from COVID-19 infection, noted that some of his staff had also been infected with the virus.

    The Head of Communications at the Ministry, Ekow Vincent Assafuah told Citi News the disinfection meant workers had to leave work early on Friday.

    But he said he expects the staff to be at work next Monday.

    Mr. Assafuah also clarified earlier comments by Dr. Opoku Prempeh concerning the scale of infections at the Ministry.

    The minister said about 90 percent of his staff had the virus.

    But Mr. Assafuah has indicated that “he meant about 90 percent of his inner circle.”

    “The inner circle is not even up to 20 so it cannot be that about 90 percent of the staff of the Ministry of Education have contracted the coronavirus.”

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Noguchi receives more lab supplies for COVID-19 testing

    To improve its testing capacity and ensure efficiency, government has procured more laboratory supplies for the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) Institute for PCR testing.

    Head of Virology, Professor William Ampofo says some of the supplies have been delivered for onward distribution as part of a bulk procurement scheme.

    “We have come up with a bulk procurement scheme to provide sufficient resources to go up to 300,000 per test. This scheme was developed in conjunction with the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health with support from the Ministry of Finance and we were strategic enough to go direct to the source, to China where most of the laboratory equipment and supplies could be competitively sourced.”

    “So the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its Ambassador in China has worked on behalf of the people of Ghana to source this equipment at a very competitive price so we can purchase it in bulk. So, I am glad to report that the first shipment arrived on Saturday, on the flight that brought back the returnees. So, we indeed got a significant quantity of lab supplies on Saturday and another flight will arrive today.”

    Professor Ampofo also indicated that the centre will soon roll out Mobile Testing for COVID-19 and other private facilities will be accredited to start testing.

    “We have also come up with a plan for mobile testing in Ghana and I am glad to report that the GRA and the Customs Excise Division have put this into operation. We have done some training and the equipment have also arrived so strategically; this will be deployed when necessary. To go alongside this, it is also to provide support for patient management at the treatment centres. There is also a plan to establish labs with the capacity to test for COVID at the UGMC and at the new 100-bed facility that has been constructed at the Ga East hospital.”

    Meanwhile, the NMIMR has disclosed it is conducting a research study to identify if the persons who are discharged under the new COVID-19 discharge protocols are able to develop antibodies against COVID-19.

    According to Professor William Ampofo, the research which is being supervised by the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health said the research is showing “some interesting results”.

    He disclosed this on Thursday, July 9, 2020, at a press conference organised by the Ministry of Information.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Conduct mass testing in schools with COVID-19 cases GNAT to government

    The Ghana National Association of Teachers expects mass testing in schools that have recorded cases of COVID-19.

    Philippa Larsen, the GNAT President, said the government had “promised” that such mass testing would be in order in the event of recorded cases.

    Accra Girls SHS, Konongo Wesley SHS and Mfanstiman Girls SHS are among the schools with confirmed cases of the virus.

    “We were informed that anytime there is the information of a confirmed case in a particular school, students and staff of the school will go through the testing,” she recounted on the Citi Breakfast Show.

    GNAT, along with other teacher unions and observers, had initially proposed mass testing before school resumed on June 22.

    But the government has consistently argued that mass testing is not feasible.

    With the recorded cases, however, Ms. Larsen said: “We expect that the schools that have recorded cases should have their staff and students go through the testing.”

    Inadequate of PPE

    One of the main challenges GNAT has observed has been the inadequate supply of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).

    The government assured that each student, teaching and non-teaching staff will be provided with three pieces of reusable face masks.

    Two of these were to be ready within two weeks of schools resuming.

    But Ms. Larsen noted that schools were still lacking PPE, as well as other accoutrements like thermometer guns, sanitizers etc.

    “We are not too happy about the fact that schools have not received the full complement of their logistics,” she said.

    Eighteen thousand Veronica Buckets, 800,000 pieces of 200-millilitre sanitisers, 36,000 rolls of tissue paper, 36,000 gallons of liquid soap and 7,200 thermometer guns were supposed to be supplied to the schools.

    Despite the challenges, the GNAT president acknowledged that schools were largely adhering safety protocols.

    “Work is going on in the schools; the way they have arranged their beds and all. I visited some of the dormitories and I was impressed, to be honest with you.”

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Mpraeso SHS authorities await results of nine students in COVID-19 isolation

    School authorities at the Mpraeso Senior High School in the Eastern Region are awaiting results of some nine students believed to have contracted COVID-19.

    Even though the said students have been identified and isolated, the development has thrown the student populace into a state of fear and apprehension.

    “They have been isolated from the rest of the students and their samples have been taken [as of Tuesday]. All the samples were sent to Accra for confirmation,” the Kwahu South Director of Education, Ofosu Kwakye, said.

    “We are waiting for the lab results to come so we know the situation,” he added.

    Mr Kwakye also added that measures have been taken to ensure the rest of the students are safe.

    “Their food has been enhanced. We give them fruits and other things as we await the results,” he said.

    The Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) are currently tracing contacts of infected persons in other schools.

    The Accra Girls SHS and the Konongo Wesley SHS are among the schools with confirmed cases of the virus.

    The GES has however appealed for calm among parents and assured that officials are working to ensure the safety of their wards.

    SOURCE: ABC News

  • Okoe Boye, Nsiah Asare, others on committee tasked to monitor enforcement of COVID-19 protocols in schools

    The President, Nana Akufo-Addo has formed a five-member coronavirus sub-committee to monitor the enforcement of coronavirus safety protocols in schools nationwide.

    The committee members comprise of Dr. Anothony Nsiah Asare Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Okoe Boye- Deputy Minister of Information, Dr. Da Costa Aboagye Director Health Promotion Division, Ghana Health Service, Dr Yaw Adu Twum Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Patrick Kuma- Aboagye, Director General Ghana Health Service.

    This was disclosed by the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah at a press on Thursday in Accra.
    He said the Committee will work to address gaps in the enforcement of the protocols on campuses nationwide.

    According to him, the government continues to monitor the safety protocols in schools.

    He stated that a dedicated desk has been created at the Coronavirus Call Centres for parents to all and find out details about issues in their wards schools, particularly issues relating to suspected cases of coronavirus.

    He said parents can call hotline 311 and will have dedicated staff at the centre responding to their queries.
    It comes after news of Coronavirus outbreak at the Accra Girls Senior High School.

    Some six students, a teacher and a spouse, tested positive at Accra Girls Senior High School.

    A student at the KNUST SHS reportedly died after he complained of stomach ache but was allegedly abandoned by teachers and school staff due to coronavirus fears.

    Meanwhile, the Minister says Government acknowledges efforts being made by the Electoral Commission and the Security Agencies to ensure the compliance of Coronavirus safety etiquette.

    However, he called on citizens have a role to play in helping to contain the spread of Coronavirus.

    The Minister appealed to citizens and residents to ensure social distancing and compliance with other COVID-19 protocols. He said for the cumulative case count to reduce, residents and citizens have to adhere to the protocols.

    “We cannot eat our cake and have it,” he said.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Coronavirus: Stop panic visits in schools Committee to parents

    A member of the five-member coronavirus sub-committee, Dr Da Costa Aboagye has advised against the widespread panic visits by parents and guardians in second-cycle institutions reporting coronavirus cases.

    “Parents instead of going to the schools can reach the government information centre on 311 with any complaints, Dr Da Costa, Director of Health Promotion Division, at the Ghana Health Service, urged in an interview on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa 102.5 fm.

    Much of the fake news and misinformation that flooded the internet causing unnecessary panic in schools, according to Dr Da Costa Aboagye, will be dealt with by the committee.

    President Akufo-Addo has formed a five-member coronavirus sub-committee to monitor the enforcement of Covid-19 safety protocols in schools nationwide.

    The committee members comprise of Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Okoe Boye- Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Da Costa Aboagye Director of Health Promotion Division, Ghana Health Service, Dr Yaw Adu Twum Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director General Ghana Health Service.

    This was disclosed by the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah at a press meeting on Thursday in Accra.

    Meanwhile, Dr. Da Costa has said the committee will kick off its work with a crucial meeting between the Conference of Heads of Assisted Second-Cycle Schools (CHASS), Regional and District health directors, billed later today at 12:00 pm.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Coronavirus: Independent parliamentary candidate busted for holding campaign rally

    An independent aspiring Member of Parliament for Assin South Constituency, Mr Joseph Kofi Damte, has been arrested by Police for holding political campaign rally without informing police and breaching the COVID-19 protocols.

    Mr Damte allegedly failed to wear a face mask as well as ensure the observance of social distancing during the said rally, contrary to provisions of the Public Order Act and the imposition of Restrictions Law.

    A statement released by the PRO of the Central Regional Police Command, DSP Irene Serwaa Oppong said, the Assin Fosu Divisional Police Command received information that suspect, Joseph Kofi Damte, had organised a political campaign rally at Assin Aworoso in the Assin South Constituency.

    When police got to the scene, information was gathered from people who were still present that the programme had just ended and the independent candidate had left.

    The Central Regional CID has taken over the case for an investigation into the matter.

    The suspect is in police custody assisting investigations.

    Read a statement from the police below.

    Source: Class FM

  • Work on Pokuase interchange to miss completion deadline due to COVID-19

    Work on the Pokuase interchange in the Ga West Municipality will not be completed on schedule because of challenges associated with COVID 19 pandemic.

    According to contractors working on the interchange, most of the materials needed to execute the project delayed in arriving because of the strict lockdown in China in the early days of the pandemic.

    A consultant on the project, Kwabena Bimpong, told Citi News he expects the completion date to be pushed past 2020 into 2021.

    The contractor on the project says the current situation delaying the project is beyond his control.

    The imported equipment from China was delayed by some two months.

    “He [the contractor] has requested an extension of time. They had imported [from China] some parts for the bridge; like the scaffolding and the formwork and the piling equipment,”Mr. Bimpong said.

    The pandemic has also affected the human resources as workers expected from China were unable to make the trip to Ghana.

    In addition, some workers have contracted COVID-19.

    “When we tested some of our new entrants, as of yesterday we had gotten about 10 [persons contracting the virus]. Once they come in they are not allowed to work.”

    “At the last count, we had lost about 100 of them because they had disobeyed the orders of their employers,” Mr. Bimpong also noted.

    The Pokuase Interchange project comprises a four-tier interchange at Pokuase, a five-kilometre Awoshie-Pokuase road, two-kilometre Accra-Nsawam road, two-kilometre Kwabenya road and 10 kilometres of local roads to improve traffic flow in parts of Accra.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Coronavirus fight hinges on personal responsibility – NGOs in Health

    It is the responsibility of every individual in the country to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus, the Ghana Coalition of NGOs stated on Thursday.

    Although Government may take key preventive measures, the virus would not stop spreading if people continue to behave irresponsibly by not taking basic safety measures, Dr Gabriel Benarkuu, Chairman, Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview.

    He said with the further spread of the virus and a steady increase in COVID-19 related deaths, there is the need now more than ever, to go the extra mile in the fight against the pandemic.

    “The virus is infecting all categories of people including the politician and some are even dying,” he said, adding that the turnout of events concerning the pandemic, calls for a strong, well-coordinated and united approach, towards fighting it.

    Dr Benarkuu urged individuals to always use the face masks and hand sanitizers on them, and ensure that they practise all the safety protocols on the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 to a fault.

    He urged religious bodies and other groups, to continue to abide by the safety protocols on the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

    “There would be disastrous consequences if the request by some religious bodies for the full resumption of religious activities is granted,” Dr Benarkuu said.

    He urged the media to only disseminate information on COVID-19, given out by qualified health experts, adding that this would ensure that the public was well educated on the pandemic, and its prevention.

    Dr Benarkuu called for a review of the national directive on the fight against the pandemic, which should involve every identifiable group and organisation in the country.

    He mentioned some key factors that had to be tackled as stigma reduction, increased testing for the virus, and intensified education on safety and preventive measures among others.

    Dr Benarkuu also called for the decentralisation of the testing centers for the diseases adding that many areas were lagging when it came to testing because the process had not been decentralised.

    Source: GNA

  • Aspiring MP for Assin South arrested for breaching coronavirus protocols

    An independent aspiring Member of Parliament for Assin South Constituency, Joseph Kofi Damte, has been arrested by Police for holding political campaign rally and breaching the COVID-19 protocols.

    He reportedly failed to notify the police of the event and also failed to wear a face mask as well as ensure the observance of social distancing during the said rally, contrary to provisions of the public order, Criminal and other offences as well as the imposition of Restrictions law.

    A statement released by the PRO of the Central Regional Police Command, DSP Irene Serwaa Oppong said, the Assin Fosu Divisional Police Command received information that suspect Joseph Kofi Damte had organized a political campaign rally at Assin Aworoso in the Assin South Constituency.

    When police got to the scene, information was gathered from people who were still present that the program had just ended and the independent candidate had left.

    The Central Regional CID has taken over the case for an investigation into the matter.

    The suspect is in police custody assisting investigation.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Police arrest independent aspiring MP over campaign rally

    Police in the Central Region have arrested an independent aspiring Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South Constituency, Joseph Kofi Damte, for allegedly organizing a campaign rally without notifying the police.

    He was also accordingly arrested for not wearing a face mask.

    The Central Regional police command made this known in a statement signed by DSP Irene Serwaah Oppong.

    There is currently a ban on organizing political rallies across Ghana due to Coronavirus restrictions.

    The police said he failed to ensure social distancing during the said rally, contrary to provisions of the Public Order, Criminal and other offenses as well as Imposition of Restrictions laws.

    “On 06/07/2020, the Assin Fosu Divisional Police Command received information that suspect Joseph Kofi Damte had organized a political campaign rally at Assin Aworoso in the Assin South Constituency,” the statement said.

    It added that “When police got to the scene, information was gathered from people who were still present that the programme had just ended and the independent candidate had left.”

    “The Central Regional CID has taken over the case for investigation into the matter. The suspect is in police custody assisting investigations,” according to the statement.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Coronavirus: Government must conduct mass testing – Atik Mohammed

    General Secretary of People’s National Convention (PNC), Atik Mohammed has called on government to undertake a mass testing of COVID-19 in the country.

    Atik Mohammed, speaking on ‘Kokrokoo’ on Peace FM, was worried about the rate of COVID-19 infections.

    Ghana’s COVID-19 case count has risen to 22,822 after 854 new cases with 17564 and the death count still standing at 129.

    Active cases stand at 5,129.

    The PNC General Secretary held engaging in mass testing will help curb the spread of the disease.

    “Should we do a mass test in this country, I dare say we could be inching towards a 500,000 figure or even more and when you get to that point, you should know you have a crisis on your hand.

    “This thing is real. We should all protect ourselves . . . Like HIV, let everybody know his or her status. In that case, you can protect yourself. If you test positive, you know what to do and if you test negative, you know what to do,” he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi

    Source: Peace FM

  • GNECC urges stakeholders to strive for best outcomes

    The Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) has urged the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service and school authorities to work with parents and students to ensure the effective containment and management of COVID-19 outbreak in schools.

    The authorities, it said should ensure the provision of adequate logistics for containment and isolation measures, while students and parents must exercise restraint and register their concerns with decorum and follow due process.

    A statement signed by Mr Joseph Atsu Homadzi, Interim Board Chairman of the GNECC, which was copied to the Ghana News Agency, said it was unfortunate that some incidents had been recorded in some schools, while an ulcer student who went into a crisis lost his life over fears that he might be suffering from COVID-19.

    “As a Coalition that is passionately promoting access to quality, equitable and inclusive education for all Ghanaian children, we are deeply sorrowed over what is going on in our schools,” it said.

    “We are of the view that should the unfortunate happenings continue, the close down of the schools will be inevitable.

    “Our deepest condolences go to the family, colleagues and friends of the KNUST SHS student who lost his life on 7th July.

    “We request for an immediate commencement of investigation into circumstances leading to the death of the final year student of the KNUST SHS and ensure that anyone found culpable face the full rigors of the law.”

    It also urged the Ministry of Education and the GES to liaise with the Ministry of Health to establish a health desk in all senior high schools to provide medical care to students in emergencies before sending them to health facilities where necessary.

    The GES with the Ministry of Education, has reported COVID-19 outbreak in some schools, including the Accra Girls Senior High School, amid calls by a section of the society for the schools to be closed down again.

    However, the authorities have assured that the situation is under control as isolation boarding houses had been created for asymptomatic students, while sick ones were sent to health facilities for treatment.

    The GNECC, therefore, urged the GES to continually reassure parents and guardians on the safety of their wards in school “during this period of uncertainty”.

    It commended the GES for the efforts being made to ensure that the education of school children was not truncated because of COVID-19, but called for the strengthening of the measures and compliance to the rules to make the school environment safer for students and staff across the country.

    There should be adequate protective accessories (sanitizers, gloves, soap, veronica buckets, etc.) to all schools to ensure that staff and students were well protected, it said.

    Following the directives of the President, final year students of SHS, with the Second-Year Gold Track students, resumed school on Monday, June 22 to complete their courses and write their exit examinations.

    Likewise, the final year students of JHS resumed on Monday, June 29 to prepare for their exit exams.

    Source: GNA

  • Health Sector Unions entreats government to take swift measures to curtail the spread of coronavirus

    The Health Sector Unions have called on government to ensure regular provision of adequate PPE to all health workers to curb the rate of infection among its members.

    Government, they said, must also re-define its classification of Front Line Health Workers to include all health workers; ensure strict enforcement of all COVID-19 safety protocols without fear or favour.

    The Unions also called on government to expand COVID-19 testing centers and their capacities throughout the country together with readily available test kits to prevent undue delays in obtaining the results as well as establish Functional Infection, Prevention and Control (Safety) Committees in all health facilities.

    According to the Unions the rising infection rates among health workers in the country has a grave tendency of stifling the efforts to curtail the spread of the virus.

    Dr Frank Ankobea, the President of Ghana Medical Association (GMA), made the call at a joint Health Sector Unions’ press conference in Accra on Thursday.

    The Health Sector Unions are GMA, Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Health Sector Workers’ Union (HSWU), and Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA).

    Dr Ankobea said as at June 30, over 770 health workers had contracted the virus in line of duty with a total of nine deaths.

    “A large number of health workers are also currently in isolation awaiting their test results after having been exposed to the virus at their places of work.

    “Data gathered so far indicates that 190 members of GMA (Doctors and Dentists) have contracted the virus with four unfortunate deaths. 410 members of the GRNMA and its Allies Associations (Nurses and Midwives) have contracted the virus with one death.

    “159 members of the HSWU have contracted the virus with three deaths while 23 members of GHOSPA have also contracted the virus with one unfortunate death,” he added.

    He said the rising infection rate among health workers is a matter of grave concern because it negatively affects staffing levels and results in mounting work pressure on the few health workers at post.

    “If this trend persists, there would virtually be just a few health workers available to attend to patients even as COVID-19 cases in Ghana keeps rising”.

    Dr Ankobea said: “The major causes of this unacceptably high rate of infections among health workers could be attributed to inadequate and erratic supply of PPE to health workers both in quantity and quality.

    Others include general breakdown or non-adherence to infection prevention and control protocols in most facilities together with shortages or complete lack of disinfecting agents in some facilities.

    “Also, non-disclosure or concealment of information from health workers by facility managers when colleagues test positive for COVID-19 at the work place and delays in receipt of test results for patients being managed on wards resulting in increased exposure of health personnel to the virus,” he added.

    Dr Ankobea also mentioned the breakdown or inadequate contract tracing within facilities; lack of designated holding bays for suspected cases in some facilities; delay in closure of wards or wards for disinfection after exposure to COVID-19 patients, and apparent disregard of the safety protocols by some health workers and patients who visit health facilities as major causes.

    Mrs Perpetual Ofori -Ampofo, the President of GRNMA, reiterated the need for government to re-visit its definition of Front Line Health Workers and bring it down to cover all health facilities.

    She said those health workers who contracted the virus were not those at the treatment centers, rather those who are not classified under “Front line Health workers”.

    Mrs Ofori-Ampofo urged the public to take the safety protocols seriously to help curtail the spread of the virus and save lives.

    “We all have a responsibility, we all have a role to play if we are to return to normal,” she said, adding that “we are all in this together….we are all stakeholders, so let’s work together to help curb the spread of COVID-19”.

    Mr Reynolds O. Tenkorang, the General Secretary of HSWU, said those doing the treatment are well protected leaving the orderly and hospital securities and other health workers who meet patients first before they are prepared for treatment.

    Touching on education, he said the effort was inadequate and advocated the use of information vans to show evidence of those who are suffering and are dying from the virus to change peoples’ mindset.

    Mr Nathan Coompson, Chairman of GHOSPA, said: “As a nation and as people, we are becoming complacent. COVID-19 is real and we must ensure that we all adheres to the safety protocols”.

    Source: GNA

  • ‘I thought I was going to die’ NAPO shares near-death coronavirus experience

    Education Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh after being discharged from the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has recounted his near-death COVID-19 experience.

    The minister, widely known as NAPO who felt unwell after his acclamation in the Ashanti regional NPP Parliamentary Primaries, decided to check himself in for other tests including a second COVID-19 test.

    He had earlier tested negative after a voluntary test but was detained at the facility awaiting a second test result which came out positive.

    Recounting his experience from the centre, he said the Grace of God saw him through his recovery process.

    “But for God, I would not be alive. I thought I was going to die due to my condition when I was admitted, but after I was stabilized, I knew the worst was over,” he said on Accra-based radio Peace FM.

    He urged Ghanaians, especially those defying the Covid-19 safety protocols, to tread cautiously, adding the health facilities were running out of space.

    “We are at a critical point now; UGMC and Korle Bu are currently full. How many beds are available there? I never visited the ICU but others went to ICU and never returned.

    “We should therefore not be indifferent about the situation because it has not affected any of our relatives,” he cautioned.

     

    Source: happyghana.com

  • Coronavirus: Learn to work from home – Ursula tells Ghanaian workers

    Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has called on Ghanaian workers to learn to work from home.

    According to her, the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the normal way of working where employees would go to the workplace or their offices.

    Speaking on ‘Kokrokoo’ on Peace FM with host Kwami Sefa Kayi, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful was alarmed by the rate of COVID-19 infections in the country and the closure of the Finance Ministry, BOST and other Ministries and companies as a result of the pandemic.

    She asked the workers to utilize digital platforms to keep their businesses running till a cure is found for the disease.

    “I plead with Ghanaians that every life is precious. Adhering to the protective protocols will save somebody’s life, so let’s all take this seriously…Nobody knows the behaviour of this disease. It appears it is a designer virus. It keeps mutating. We’re learning something new everyday. Why do you want to risk the disease to use you as an experiment?” she lamented.

    “Let’s learn how to use technology to work and the platforms exist. We have created smart workplace for all these people that you can stay home and still work,” she added.

    Ursula Owusu further stated; “We need to change our attitude to work. We need to change our way of doing things. That’s the change management…There are a few things we need to do and we can’t do things the way we’ve been doing it. It all depends on us.”

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • Two coronavirus patients die in Ahafo

    The Ahafo Region has recorded the death of two COVID-19 patients.

    Mrs. Stella Sefa, the acting Ahafo Regional Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer and Nurse Manager, Goaso Municipal Government Hospital confirmed the death in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani.

    Mrs. Sefa stated COVID-19 positive cases in the region now stood at 26 and those who are Asymptomatic (a person who has tested positive of the virus but does not show symptoms of it) had been directed to be self-isolated in their homes while those with symptoms have been quarantine and receiving treatments at the COVID-19 health centres in the region, she added.

    She entreated the populace to remain calm and report any unusual health condition quickly at any nearby health facility for the necessary diagnosis to receive the appropriate treatment.

    Mrs. Sefa reiterated the need for everybody to observe the COVID-19 health and safety protocols and directives such as social and physical distancing, regular handwashing with soap under running water, and wearing of nose/face masks to halt the spread COVID-19.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Ada Sec Tech records seven cases of coronavirus

    Seven students of the Ada Senior High Technical School (ASTECH) at Sege in the Greater Accra Region, have tested positive to COVID-19, two weeks after school reopened.

    Mr Adzoteye Lawer Akrofi, Ada West District Chief Executive, confirming this to the Ghana News Agency, said the first positive case recorded in the school was a female who was fell sick some few days after school reopened.

    Mr Akrofi indicated that additional six were confirmed positive after her contacts were traced, adding that more samples had been taken from both students and staff for testing.

    He said the seven infected students were currently in isolation and receiving treatment out of campus, adding that measures had been put in place to curb COVID-19 spread in the school saying “there is no cause for alarm”.

    According to the DCE, security had been beefed up in the school to ensure the strict adherence to social distancing and other Covid19 safety protocols amongst students, teaching and non-teaching staff.

    Meanwhile, when GNA visited the school premises on Wednesday, students were seen in groups with some playing cards without their face masks while others were bare chested.

    In the early hours of Thursday July 9, some agitated parents were seen on the school premises demanding the release of their wards but were calmed down by school authorities.

    A parent who seen crying uncontrollably over the refusal of the school’s management to allow her pick her ward home.

    “I want my daughter to stop schooling here because I can’t let her die just like that, “she said.

    Some of the students told GNA that the number of those infected could be higher that the official number.

     

    Source: GNA

  • 2 students isolated, over 260 contacts exposed to Wesley High Coronavirus

    Over 260 persons have been identified as contacts who got close to a student who tested positive for Covid-19 at the Konongo Wesley High School in the Ashanti Region.

    Municipal Chief Executive for Asante Akyem Central, Susan Akomea (Hon) said two other students were held in isolation with their samples taken for testing.

    “As we speak over 260 samples have been sent for testing… Obviously samples of his colleagues in the classroom, dormitories and close teachers needed to be tested,” the Municipal Chief Executive explained in an interview with Virgin City Radio.

    COVID-19 at Konongo Wesley High

    The student was earlier rushed to the Konongo Government Hospital after showing symptoms of the virus, but was diagnosed with malaria and asked to return home.

    He is reported to have left on his own to travel from Konongo to Kumasi only to find out that he is COVID-19 positive.

    There were concerns earlier that the student, who has since not been isolated, could put the lives of his siblings at risk as samples of his mother, have already been sent for testing.

    Health officials and school authorities have already been blamed for not handling the issue properly as calls for a shutdown of the school begin to gather momentum.

    MCE calls for calm

    Reacting to the development, Mrs. Akomea ruled out a possible closure of the school but cautioned residents to adhere to safety protocols outlined by the government.

    “Right now the school has two holding centers,” she told Dailymailgh.com, adding, “We are not closing down the school at the moment, it is possible the victim may have carried the disease from home. We should not be too alarmed, we have to adhere to the safety protocols, in this situation school children are at risk.”

     

    Source: Daily Mail

  • 32 health workers of the Tamale Teaching Hospital test positive for COVID_19

    Some 32 health workers of the Tamale Teaching Hospital have tested positive for coronavirus.

    The Director of Medical Affairs at the hospital, Dr. Abass Adams gave the breakdown of the 32 infected workers

    According to him, 19 are doctors, 12 nurses, and one an orderly.

    He said some have been treated and discharged while others were still on admission . One person in a critical condition.

    “We are hoping that the treatment that he is on will work because these were special people who were trained particularly those at the infectious disease center so if one person is missing, it is a big problem”

    “This is the time that we need the Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) because the patients keep coming, we cannot be recycling it all the time, we can only recycle them for a maximum of one week,” he told JoyNews monitored by theghanareport.com.

    He said 80 other staff of the hospital were exposed but their results came in negative.

    More than 160 health workers have contracted coronavirus with 4 doctors succumbing to the disease as at the time of this report.

    They have complained about inadequate protection in their line of work.

    Source: theghanareport.com

  • Committee tasked to look into COVID-19 challenges in schools

    The government has set up a committee to look into health-related incidents in Senior High Schools.

    This follows reports of COVID-19 infections in schools and the death of a final-year student of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Senior High School from health complications and alleged negligence.

    The committee is to monitor schools over the next eight weeks as most Senior High School students prepare for the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE).

    Schools have been back in session since June 22 after initially being shut down for safety concerns.

    Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, July 9, 2020, the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, said the committee will also “oversee the operations of the regional monitoring teams which are already in place across the various regions.”

    “The president has tasked a subcommittee of the COVID-19 Presidential taskforce to be set up to quickly address challenges that may arise in the next eight weeks while final year students are in school.”

    The committee is to also “ensure that guidelines of campus quarantine are strictly enforced and any gaps swiftly addressed where incidents are suspected.”

    For anxious parents, the Minister said the COVID-19 information centre was being given additional persons to cater to them.

    The 311 has mainly served as a helpline for reporting suspected cases and receiving feedback from health workers.

    “So if you are a parent and you are reading a story online and you are hearing something, we encourage you to call 311 from tomorrow. Dedicated officers are being put there to help connect parents to the schools to validate whether some of the reports are true,” Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said.

    This is to discourage parents from gathering at schools as was the case at Accra Girls Senior High School after reports of COVID-19 infection.

    Accra Girls SHS, Konongo Wesley SHS and Mfanstiman Girls SHS are among the schools with confirmed cases of the virus.

    Possible shutdown of schools

    The Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) is concerned about the increasing negative reports and expects schools to shut down if the situation does not improve.

    In a statement, the group warned that the shutdown of the schools “will be inevitable” on the current trajectory.

    It said “chaotic incidences” were putting students “in great fear and danger”.

    The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) President, Angel Carbonu, however, wants the government to concede defeat and shut down schools before the situation worsens.

    “From where I sit now before we get to a point where we cannot control, I think we should bite the bullet and close down the schools. That is my personal opinion. The way things are going, I can assure you the story is not looking too pleasant,” he said.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Akufo-Addo forms committee to monitor coronavirus protocols enforcement in schools

    President Nana Akufo-Addo has formed a coronavirus sub-committee to monitor the enforcement of coronavirus safety protocols in schools nationwide.

    Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, made this known to the press on Thursday in Accra.

    He said the Committee will work to address gaps in the enforcement of the protocols on campuses nationwide.

    According to him, government continues to monitor the safety protocols in schools.

    He stated that a dedicated desk has been created at the Coronavirus Call Centres for parents to all and find out details about issues in their wards schools, particularly issues relating to suspected cases of coronavirus.

    He said parents can call hotline 311 and will have dedicated staff at the centre responding to their queries.

    It comes after news of Coronavirus outbreak at the Accra Girls Senior High School.

    Some six students, a teacher and a spouse, tested positive at Accra Girls Senior High School.

    A student at the KNUST SHS reportedly died after he complained of stomach ache but was allegedly abandoned by teachers and school staff due to coronavirus fears.

    Meanwhile, the Minister says Government acknowledges efforts being made by the Electoral Commission and the Security Agencies to ensure the compliance of Coronavirus safety etiquettes.

    However, he called on citizens have a role to play in helping to contain the spread of Coronavirus.

    The Minister appealed to citizens and residents to ensure social distancing and compliance with other Covid-19 protocols.

    He said for the cumulative case count to reduce, residents and citizens have to adhere to the protocols.

    “We cannot eat our cake and have it,” he said.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Muntaka petitions GES over busing of students to voter registration centres by teachers

    Asawase MP Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka has petitioned the Ghana Education Service (GES) over alleged busing of students to voter registration centres in his constituency.

    In his letter to the Director-General of Education, the Minority Chief Whip said some 30 form two and three students of Asanteman SHS who were bused to the polling station do not hail from or reside in the community.

    Some of the students, he noted were arrested and handed over to the police after they were saved from lynching by angry residents.

    Even more worrying for the firebrand MP is the fact that the students were bused by their teacher, one Mr Bismark Fordjour.

    “It is, however, important to note that the teacher could not be reached via phone contacts after several attempts,” Mr Muntaka said.

    The MP is worried that despite government preventing parents from visiting their wards as restrictions on educational activities are being lifted, the teachers are moving the same students out of school for political interest.

    He wants the Director-General of GES, Prof  Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa to cause an investigation into the matter.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Jean Mensa has not tested positive for COVID-19 EC

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has dispelled the claim that its Chairperson, Jean Mensa has contracted COVID-19.

    A section of the media had alleged that Ms Mensa had tested positive for the novel coronavirus

    A statement from the Commission, however, dismissed the claim, saying the EC Chairperson is “well and at post.”

    It thus urged Ghanaians to disregard the story.

    “We are therefore calling on the general public to disregard the lies and fabrications and treat the story with the contempt it deserves,” the statement said.

    Other high ranking officials, including former President John Agyekum Kufuor earlier also denied reports of testing positive for the virus.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • 19 doctors at Tamale Teaching Hospital reportedly test positive for coronavirus

    Information gathered by DGN Online indicates that 19 medical doctors of the Tamale Teaching Hospital have tested positive for Covid-19.

    DGN Online understands one is in critical condition and under treatment currently at the facility.

    The Director of Medical Affairs of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Dr Abass Adam who confirm this to DGN Online said a total of 32 health workers have contracted the Covid-19 virus in the facility.

    He noted that the 32 health workers involved 19 doctors, 12 nurses and one orderly.

    The Director of Medical Affairs, however, revealed that some of them have been treated and discharged whiles others are still on treatment.

    “80 health workers of the facility who were exposed have been tested but the results came out negative.”

    He called on the public to strictly adhere to the health protocols to help stop the spread of the virus.

    Meanwhile, some health workers at the Tamale Teaching Hospital who spoke to DGN on condition of anonymity said they lacked PPEs adding that the only time they wear PPEs is when a patient is tested positive.

    “We the health workers do not wear PPEs when we are working at the facility unless when a patient is tested positive meaning if we are not aware a patient tested positive when they are brought in because we will start treating them as normal patients who have come for medical care so we are really at risk because we need to wear these PPEs at every point of our work and not at the time we know someone has tested positive.”

    The Northern Region has confirmed 163 Covid-19 cases with 8 deaths.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Close down all junior and senior high schools to save lives Dr Clement Apaak

    The Deputy Ranking member on education committee in parliament and MP for Builsa South, Dr Clement Apaak is calling on government to close all Junior and Senior High Schools across the country with immediate effect to save the lives of the students.

    He said he is in total support of parent and teacher unions calling for closure of junior and senior high schools and asked government to listen and act now.

    Dr. Apaak revealed in an interview that, failure on the part of government to adhere to advice offered by educational stakeholders in providing PPEs and testing of students before reopening the schools has led to the challenges being witnessed in the various schools.

    Mr. Apaak cited the happenings at Accra Girls Senior High School where six students and a number of teachers have tested positive for Covid-19. He also mentioned the unfortunate incident at KNUST Senior High School where a student was left to die out of fear that he has contracted Covid-19. He said this has created fear and panic among the students.

    He suggested a mass testing of students must be carried out for all students, teachers and non-teaching staff before allowing them to vacate their schools until a very favourable time for schools to reopen.

    Source: angelonline.com.gh

  • We didnt abandon our student to die KNUST SHS Headmistress

    The Headmistress of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Senior High School (SHS) has refuted claims that authorities at the school did not do enough to help save a final year student who died at a hospital yesterday.

    Speaking exclusively on Anopa Bofo on Angel 102.9 FM on Wednesday, Ms Felicia Asamoah Danquah said the authorities at the school did all within their means to save the final-year student.

    According to her, teachers at the school bought some drugs for the student before calling in his parents to come convey him to the hospital.

    “We did not abandon the student…some of our teachers helped to remove his uniforms before we called in the parents who said they were in town and would respond later…,” she told Captain Smart.

    A final-year student of the school reportedly died after being rushed to a hospital yesterday.

    The students allege that authorities at the school refused to offer the needed help to save the boy when he was in pain.

    This has led them to embark on a violent demonstration which led to the destruction of several properties belonging to the school.

    A vehicle belonging to the headmistress was also destroyed in the process.

    Source: angelonline.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Police arrest 57 persons at Asante-Mampong without face mask

    At least 57 persons have been arrested at Asante/Mampong in the Ashanti Region for non-compliance with the mandatory wearing of face mask directive.

    A team of officers deployed within the Municipality made the arrest as part of efforts to encourage, educate and enforce the Coronavirus safety protocols.

    Asante Mampong Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Stephen Boadu said the suspects have been admitted to bail and will be arraigned before a court at Nsuta on Thursday, July 9, 2020.

    “We have mounted a special operation at Asante/Mampong to ensure full compliance [of the law]. Four days ago 38 persons were arrested; 12 were females and 26 males. Yesterday, we continued and 19 persons; five females and 14 males were also arrested. We intend to put them before the court tomorrow,” the Police Chief said.

    President Akufo-Addo made the wearing of face masks mandatory, in the wake of a sharp rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Ghana and has through an Executive Instrument asked the police and law enforcement agencies to lead its enforcement.

    People who fail to wear face masks in public risk a prison sentence of four to 10 years or a fine ranging from GHS12,000 to GHS60,000, or both.

    Concerns over the law

    The new sanctions for not wearing face masks are contained in a new Executive Instrument (E.I. 164). But many have, however, questioned the terms and conditions under which the law and its corresponding sanctions will be applied without infringing on individual rights and liberties.

    Aside from the perceived harshness of the law, concerns have been raised about the definition of a public place and if, for example, a person should wear a mask whilst in his or her car alone.

    But the government has defended the move, insisting that the current sanctions for not wearing face masks are in order to protect the ordinary Ghananaian from contracting the virus.

    “There is an imposition of the Restriction Act, which has now moved to the gazetting of an Executive Instrument to make mandatory the wearing of face mask and attach the necessary sanctions to it. The imposition of the restriction Act gives room for sanctions. What we need to do is to encourage people to comply with it so we all protect ourselves”, Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has maintained.

    Source: Daily Mail

  • Ghana Nurses Association in UK donates PPE to health workers

    The Ghana Nurses Association (GNA), the United Kingdom (UK) Chapter, has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to frontline health workers at the Koforidua Regional Hospital and East Akyem Municipal Hospitals to support the fight against Coronavirus.

    The items, included; hand sanitizers, surgical gloves, veronica buckets, detergents and toiletries, valued at Gh15, 000.

    Nana Kwame Opoku Acheampong, former Public Relations Officer of GNA-UK, who presented the items on behalf of the Association, said the items were to ease the challenges the frontline workers were facing in the wake of COVID-19.

    He said the health workers needed a constant supply of the PPE to avoid re-using the same PPE to the detriment of themselves, patients and all other persons they come into contact with at the health facilities.

    Mrs Georgina Kodua, Member of GNA-UK, appealed to manufacturers of PPE to sell the items at a lower cost so everyone could afford to protect themselves.

    She also called on government to waive taxes on PPE to stop the spread. She commended Mr Richard Nelson Mandela, Founder of Reniel Foundation Ghana, for his immense contribution to the Association and called on others in the diaspora and philanthropists in the country to emulate the gesture.

    Mrs Helen Darkua Asare, Deputy Director of Nursing Services Public Health, at the Eastern Regional Health Directorate, who received the items on behalf of the health workers thanked the Association for their kind gesture.

    She appealed to others to bring in more donations to assist health workers and cautioned Ghanaians to treat the precautionary measures to fight Covid-19 with all seriousness as the disease was no respecter of persons and could affect anyone at any time.

    Source: GNA

  • Chief Justice, Others on coronavirus treatment – Justice Jones Dotse assumes Head Of Judiciary

    Details reaching The Herald, suggest that the deadly Coronavirus pandemic, has hit Ghana’s Judicial Service, with some senior judges and their staff in isolation and receiving treatment.

    The Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin Yeboah, is mentioned as one of the Supreme Court judges, who has tested positive for the disease.

    He is reported to have handed over all his official duties to Justice Jones Dotse and gone into treatment. He was not at work on Monday and yesterday, and will not be available for today.

    Other members of the Chief Justice’s family, are also reported to have tested positive of the virus.

    Reports are that, there have been series of the COVID-19 tests at the superior courts, including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, during which some tested positive of the virus.

    Additional information available to this paper is that, some courtrooms and offices located within the law complex building in Accra, have been closed.

    The Lands Court and the Human Rights Court Registry, The Herald was told, are among the places closed down as a result of the virus.

    Additional information available to This paper is that, some of the judges are currently on admission at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in Legon.

    It is not yet clear, if Justice Dotse, can empanel Supreme Court judges presently to hear a case.

    Source:www.theheraldghana.com

    Source: theheraldghana.com

  • COVID-19: Asante Mampong records 38 cases

    The Asante Mampong Municipality has recorded a total of 38 confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease since its outbreak in the country.

    Mr Danso Yeboah, Municipal Director of Health Services told the Ghana News Agency that, three of the infected persons were nurses.

    He said the infected persons were in self-isolation and responding to treatment. Mr Yeboah said the Municipal Risk Management and Education Committee had intensified public education campaign on the preventive protocols to help contain further spread of the virus in the area.

    He commended the district assembly for its continued support for the educational campaign and stressed the need for the people to adhere to all the preventive protocols to stay safe. In a related development, the Sekyere Central District has identified 27 suspected cases of the coronavirus.

    Mr Kwadwo Banahene Bediako, the District Chief Executive, told the GNA that all the suspects were transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi for further examination.

    He advised the people in the District to strictly observe all the preventive protocols put in place by the government to prevent themselves from catching and spreading the virus in the area.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Breaking News: COVID-19 shuts down Ghana’s Supreme Court indefinitely

    Lawyers and their clients who thronged the Supreme Court, this morning, were treated to a rude shock after waiting for the panel of judges to sit and hear their cases as well as deliver judgement.

    But after about two hours in the courtroom, the registrar of the court, walked in and announced that the Supreme Court, has suspended all its sittings indefinitely.

    The lawyers and their clients, were instructed to go home and wait for further notice. The registrar did not explain why the apex court will not be sitting henceforth.

    But The Herald, reported today, that the deadly Coronavirus pandemic has hit the Ghana’s Judiciary, with some senior judges and their staff down with the disease and are either in isolation or treatment.

    The Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin Yeboah, is mentioned as one of the Supreme Court judges who has tested positive of the disease. He is reported to have handed over all his official duties to Justice Jones Dotse and gone into treatment.

    He was not at work on Monday and yesterday, and will not be available for today, Wednesday, July 8, 2020.

    Other members of the Chief Justice’s family are also reported to have tested positive of the virus.

    The Herald’s information are that there have been a series of the COVID-19 tests at the superior courts including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, during which some tested positive of the virus.

    Additional information available to this paper is that some courtrooms and offices located within the law complex building in Accra, have been closed.

    The Lands Court and the Human Rights Court Registry, The Herald was told are among the places closed down as a result of the virus.

    Additional information available to The Herald is that some of the judges are currently on admission at the University of Ghana Medical Centre in Legon.

    Against, wise counsel and fears of COVID-19 spread, the Supreme Court, two weeks ago, unanimous ruled that the Electoral Commission (EC) should go ahead and compile a new register.

    The seven-member panel that heard the case was presided over by Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah. Other panel members are Justices Jones Dotse, Paul Baffoe Bonnie, Sule Gbagegbe, Samuel K. Marful-Sau, Nene Amegatcher, and Professor Ashie Kotey.

    The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) recently called for swift prosecution of all persons including the EC staff, officials, commissioners, voter I.D card applicants, observers and political party agents who may be responsible for any breaches of any COVID-19 preventive protocol.

    The GMA made this known in a letter to the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensah addressing the ongoing Voters’ registration and the need for adherence to the safety protocols at all registration centres across the country to mitigate the spread of the virus.

    But a group of medical practitioners later petitioned the EC to stop the ongoing voters’ registration exercise over some breaches of Covid-19 preventive protocols at centres across the country and “figure out safer ways of carrying it out.”

    According to the group, the development has the propensity to result in a spike in novel coronavirus cases in the country.

    The group, in an open letter to the EC Chairperson Jean Mensa believes, such a situation is likely to turn our dire for the country as reports are rife of an already overstretched nature of health facilities to handle the recent surge in Covid-19 cases.

    “A significant reduction in the number of effective health workers available to render preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care for patients. This will occur because the already high number of infected health workers is likely to remain on that trajectory, with a concomitant increase in the number of deaths from COVID-19 if care is not taken. In addition, a higher number of specialist staff would be required to take care of the ever-increasing number of “sick people” with COVID-19 leading to even fewer health workers available to treat non- COVID-19 conditions,” the petition read.

    More to come!

    Source: theheraldghana.com

  • Too early to shut down schools GES Council Chair

    Chair of the Ghana Education Service (GES) Council Michael Nsowah has said it is too early to decide whether or not to suspend schools, following the some senior high schools recording Covid-19 cases.

    He told Alfred Ocansey on the Sunrise morning programme on 3FM Wednesday that the GES will wait for an update from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Heath Services on the situation to determine whether or not to close down schools.

    His comments come after the President of National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Angel Carbonu, called for the closure of the schools, following the current development at the Accra Girls Senior High School where six students have tested positive for the virus.

    Following the directive of President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo that schools should reopen to final year students to enable them write their exit exams, all final year SHS and Form Two Gold Track students returned to school on Monday, June 22.

    Exactly a week after reopening six students and two staff contracted the virus at the Accra Girls Senior High School (AGISS).

    Mr Nsowa admitted he gets “reports every day from my officers in Accra. I have heard of some cases of Covid-19 in some of the schools.

    “For me, it is to early to say that because of that we should close down schools. We depend on the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Services to inform on this matter.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Supreme Court adjourns all cases over COVID-19 scare

    The Supreme Court has adjourned all cases which were scheduled to be heard this week.

    Citi News checks at the apex court show that all nine cases listed to be heard by the Judges from Tuesday, July 7, 2020, have been rescheduled to yet to be announced dates.

    This development comes on the back of fears of an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Judicial Service, which led to the closure of some courts.

    During the COVID-19 induced lockdown in the country, the Chief Justice, Anin Yeboah directed that legal cases should be adjourned to later dates following the restriction of movement of persons in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    “For this reason, registrars are directed to adjourn all cases listed during this period to dates in May and June 2020,” a statement signed by the Chief Justice indicated.

    However, some courts in the affected regions have been designated to deal with critical cases such as “breaches arising from the restriction orders and other criminal matters”.

    With increasing cases of COVID-19 cases in Ghana, some members of the judicial service have tested positive for the virus.

    The adjournment of the cases comes, therefore, comes as a measure to reduce the number of infections at the law courts.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Mahama has not tested positive for COVID-19 – Sammy Gyamfi

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has not tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Sammy Gyamfi has said.

    He has subsequently implored the public to disregard social media speculation that former President John Mahama has contracted COVID-19.

    According to him, he did not want to dignify the speculation which he alleged was being spread on social media by NPP communicators but he was forced to speak out because it was becoming viral.

    He said President Mahama and persons in his close circle including Joyce Bawah Mogtari do not have COVID-19.

    He also mentioned that the Ranking Member of the Health Committee of Parliament, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and the Minority Leader, Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed had also not tested positive for the illness which has claimed over 100 lives in Ghana.

    more to follow… 

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh  

  • Supreme Court suspends sittings over coronavirus fears

    The Supreme Court has suspended all cases billed to be heard this week over COVID-19 fears.

    The move comes in the wake of rumours that some judges of the Superior Courts have tested for the virus and are currently in mandatory Isolation.

    Checks by Starrfm.com.gh at the Apex court revealed that all 16 cases scheduled for the week which commenced Tuesday, July 1, 2020, have been adjourned.

    The apex court was expected to deal with nine cases between Tuesday and Thursday but all the case have been adjourned.

    The Judicial Service will commence its Legal Vacation from August 1, 2020, and resume in October 2020.

    Meanwhile, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Paul Gyaesayor, has died after complaining of ill-health Tuesday.

    The experienced Judge who reported for work, according to sources at the Judicial Service, complained of ill-health and went home.

    But, he died shortly after he left the office to the house.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Close down schools before COVID-19 situation gets out of hand Carbonu

    The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) says COVID-19 infections in schools vindicates their caution to government prior to the reopening schools in the country.

    NAGRAT and other bodies are on record to have advised against the reopening of schools, saying that it will lead to a spread of the virus.

    Speaking on Eyewitness News, President of NAGRAT, Angel Carbonu said the current development at the Accra Girls Senior High School raises fears of what might be going on in other schools as well.

    “It sounds like what we foresaw is, unfortunately, coming to bear. The fact of the matter is that Accra Girls is not the only Senior High School in this country, they do not operate in isolation and the students do not come from isolated geographical entities so only God knows what the situation may be in other Senior High Schools.”

    He also called on government to close down schools again before the situation gets out of control.

    “From where I sit now, before we get to a point where we cannot control, I think we should bite the bullet and close down the schools. That is my personal opinion. The way things are going, I can assure you the story is not looking too pleasant,” he added.

    Final year SHS and Form Two Gold Track students returned to school following the directive of President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo that schools should reopen to final year students to enable them write their exit exams.

    Eight COVID-19 cases have been recorded at the Accra Girls Senior High School (AGISS).

    On Monday, July 06, 2020, parents stormed the Accra Girls Senior High School to pick up their wards following the development.

    But government has called for calm.

    The Ghana Health Service and Ghana Education Service have deployed a joint team to assess COVID-19 situation in the various Senior High Schools.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Coronavirus burial at Awudome Cemetery poses no health risk

    The burial of persons who die of infectious diseases including COVID-19 at Awudome Cemetery in Accra does not pose any public health risk to inhabitants nearby, Mr Benson Owusu, a public health specialist has said.

    Mr Owusu, who is also a lecturer at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Central University said once environmental health officers in charge of the internment strictly follow World Health Organisation (WHO) protocol, there should not be any cause for alarm.

    “Whether the [Infectious disease burial site] is outside of the main town or not, the most important thing is to adhere to standard protocol”, he said in an interview with The Ghanaian Times yesterday.

    The interview was on the back of concerns that part of the Awudome Cemetery, which is located between Kwame Nkrumah Circle and Kaneshie, shared boundaries with some companies was being used as infectious disease burial site.

    The cemetery was designated about five years ago for burial of persons who died of cholera and tuberculosis after the previous cemetery at mile 11 was encroached on by developers.

    But according to Mr Owusu, the deceased persons could be buried at the outskirt of the town but could still create a public health concern if they were not properly laid to rest.

    “But if the site is within the town in a confined area with adherence to protocols we are good to go”, he said.

    Some of the WHO protocols, he said, included the classification of the bodies based on the severity of infection, use of special disinfection and specification of distance between the burial site and residents.

    Mr Owusu said the fears of inhabitant could have been prevented if city authorities had educated on such issues and thus called on the government to initiate steps to create awareness and allay fears.

    According to the public health specialist, citizenry should rather be concerned about how they handled the bodies of relatives who died at home because it would be an avenue to spread the virus if the person had it.

    He also called on the COVID-19 case management team to ensure that all persons who died of the virus were buried in the same manner irrespective of their reputation in society.

    The Head of the Public Health Directorate of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Mrs Florence Kuukyi in an interview with the Ghanaian Times last week said the infectious disease site was 300 metres away from residents and would not cause any health problem.

    As of that time, she said, about 30 persons had been buried with more families registering their deceased relatives for burial. As of yesterday, the country had recorded 122 deaths out of 20,085 cases.

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: COCOBOD closes Head Office for fumigation

    The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) on Tuesday said its head office in Accra will be closed from Wednesday, July 8, to Friday, July 10, for fumigation exercise after some staff tested positive for COVID-19.

    The Head Office would be opened on Monday, July 13, 2020, a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency and signed by Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, stated.

    “This has become necessary due to the mass testing being undertaken currently due to some staff members testing positive for COVID-19,” it said.

    “All necessary arrangements have been made for the affected staff to receive the necessary medical attention and contact tracing is currently ongoing to enforce quarantine and isolation measures, wherever applicable, of members/families who have been in contact with such staff.”

    The statement, however, said work would continue without any disruption as staff had been equipped with the necessary working tools to work remotely from their homes during the close down.

    Source: GNA

  • Prioritise personal preventive healthcare – Health Minister urges Ghanaians

    Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, the Minister of Health, has urged Ghanaians to prioritise personal preventive healthcare by ensuring regular medical check-ups to ensure a healthy body.

    “The human body is like a car that requires periodic servicing, so you must not wait till sickness consumes your entire body before seeking medical treatment because this may become difficult to fight at a certain stage,” he said.

    Mr Agyemang-Manu gave the advice when he inaugurated a Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound for the Sromani Community in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the Bono Region.

    He said the facility would make healthcare readily accessible to the people, particularly in the detection of minor sicknesses like headaches and the provision of other services such as ante-natal and post-natal care.

    Mr Agyemang-Manu, also the Member of Parliament for Dormaa Central, said the provision of the facility was timely, particularly in these COVID-19 times, as it would help contain the pandemic at the community level.

    He advised pregnant women to visit it frequently for examination to prevent infant and maternal mortality.

    Mr Drissa Ouattara, the Dormaa Central Municipal Chief Executive, expressed appreciation to the chiefs and people of Sromani for complementing government’s efforts at providing socio-economic infrastructure and urged them to maintain that self-help spirit for their holistic progress.

    He advised the people to adhere to social and physical distancing as well as observing the other health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.

    Mr Stephen Nyarko-Ameyaw, the Dormaa Central Municipal Director of Health Services, commended the MP for leading efforts at providing similar facilities in areas like Antwirifo and Kofiasua in the Municipality.

    He gave the assurance that professionals would be posted to the facility, who would work according to the rules, regulations and procedures spelt out by the Ghana Health Service.

    He called on the chiefs and people to cooperate with the personnel to work within a safe and conducive environment to deliver to the best of their ability.

    Mr Emmanuel Aguma, a philanthropist and an indigene of the community, donated six hospital beds, two wheel chairs, a walker, a weighing scale, and six mattresses among other items to the facility.

    Nana Antwi Boasiako, the Chief of Sromani, thanked the Health Minister, the Director and Management of the Municipal Health Directorate and natives of the community for supporting in cash and kind towards the completion of the facility.

    Source: GNA

  • GRIDCo employee tests positive for Covid-19

    An employee of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) has tested positive for COVID-19, the company has said.

    A statement from the Company said they received the news on Monday.

    “The employee has since been isolated for treatment by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Covid-19 Management Team, in line with the established protocols,” GRIDCo said.

    According to them, a comprehensive contact tracing process has also begun in order to ensure appropriate measures are taken to protect the lives of those likely to have come into contact with the infected person.

    Additionally, as a precautionary measure; a decision has been taken by GRIDCo Management to undertake mass testing of all staff who have been working at its Tema office since June 15, 2020.

    GRIDCo explained that this “is in order to immediately identify, isolate and treat employees who may have contracted the virus.”

    The Company said it has engaged the Covid-19 Team in Tema to manage the process.

    It assured its customers and stakeholders that it remains committed to their safety whilst ensuring uninterrupted power transmission services.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Foreign Affairs Ministry cautions foreigners desperate to return home

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has denied claims that it has partnered with travel agencies to aid foreigners to travel back to the United States of America.

    A public notice issued by the ministry read “The Ministry wishes to state on AUTHORITY that this piece of information is FALSE”.

    The notice further indicated that the ministry has no mandate to issue a permit of either entry or exit of individuals and groups.

    The Foreign Affairs Ministry, however, admitted evacuating Ghanaians who were stuck in New Jersey and Washington DC back to Ghana due to the COVID 19 pandemic. The evacuation occurred on 25th June and 28th June 2020 respectively.

    The Ministry cautioned foreigners who are eager to travel back to their respective states to be careful about persons and agencies they may want to deal with.

    Background

    President Akufo-Addo banned all travels to Ghana in March in a bid to prevent imported cases of COVID-19. The border closure was later declared indefinite by the president on Thursday, 9th April, 2020.

     

    Source: angelonline.com.gh

  • Coronavirus hits Ghanas judiciary; some judges and staff down

    Details reaching The Herald suggest that the deadly Coronavirus pandemic has hit Ghana’s Judicial Service, with some senior judges and their staff down on isolation and treatment.

    Reports are that there have been a series of the COVID-19 tests at the superior courts including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, during which some tested positive of the virus.

    Additional information available to this paper is that some courtrooms and offices located within the law complex building in Accra, have been closed.

    More soon

     

    Source: The Herald

  • Ghanas COVID-19 caseload now 21,968

    Ghana is currently averaging about 400 new cases of Coronavirus on a daily basis, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service has revealed.

    As it stands now, the current case count has risen to 21,968 after 891 new infections detected in 73 districts, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye told journalists at a press briefing on Tuesday morning.

    Additionally, the clinical recoveries have also gone up to 17,156 while the death toll is now at 129.

    The new figures show that active cases being managed are now 4,683, out of which 22 patients have been categorized as severe.

    Six of the severe cases are in a critical condition and five are on ventilators.

    For the bulk of the new cases, 571 were recorded in 24 districts in the Greater Accra Region, 93 cases from 18 districts in the Ashanti Region and 86 from five districts in the Western Region.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com