With the largest Orthodox congregation outside Europe, they observe a 55-day fast leading up to Easter, refraining from meat and animal-derived foods.
On the eve of the nation’s most revered religious festival, adherents adorned in customary white garments participate in late-night church ceremonies that extend into the early morning hours.
In Addis Ababa, at Kidus Gebreil Church, clergy, assistants, and devotees commemorated the occasion collectively on Sunday.
“We are celebrating the date our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ rose from the dead. When we say this, we are witnessing the resurrection of Jesus Christ in this service and emphasising that just as He rose from death, we believers will also rise,” said the head of the church, Megabi Hadis Leake Mariam.
Throughout the Easter season, relatives and friends journey long distances to reunite with their loved ones.
While many Western churches celebrate Easter on March 31st, Eastern Orthodox churches adhere to the older Julian calendar, universally commemorating the holiday on Sunday.
Beloved figure in the Archdiocese of Zaragoza, Spain, Father Javier Sánchez tragically passed away from severe burns sustained during the Easter Vigil.
Reports from El Heraldo de Aragón reveal that Father Sánchez valiantly attempted to shield nuns from a sudden blaze sparked by a liturgical candle.
The incident occurred within the confines of the Santa Isabel neighbourhood’s convent, where Father Sánchez, aged 60, served as a parish priest at St. Gregory Church.
“The priest tried to protect the nuns of the convent when embers lit up in the basin that was used [for the fire] and that ultimately caused his death. Apparently a flammable substance had been used to start the fire. [The Easter Vigil] was held inside the convent,” said the source cited by the Spanish newspaper.
He was also deeply involved in counselling the Brotherhood of Humility and was the chaplain of the Franciscan Conceptionists in the area.
During the customary blessing of the Easter fire, an unforeseen ignition led to the priest’s vestments catching fire, causing significant burns to 50% of his body.
Despite immediate medical attention at Miguel Servet Hospital, Father Sánchez succumbed to his injuries, leaving a profound void in the community.
The Archdiocese of Zaragoza has announced a funeral Mass on April 5, presided over by Archbishop Carlos Escribano, followed by a farewell ceremony at the parish.
The Brotherhood of Humility has also expressed its grief and solidarity on social media, highlighting Father Sánchez’s dedication and legacy.
“Deepest condolences and support to his entire family” and announced the celebration today of a Mass for his eternal rest. “May the humility of God and the sweetness of Mary shelter you in heaven. Rest in peace. We will never forget you, Javi. Care for us in glory,” the brotherhood wrote.
Beyond his spiritual contributions, Father Sánchez was known for his passion for music, earning the moniker of a “rocker priest.”
He leaves behind a musical legacy, having recorded albums and performed concerts both locally and internationally.
The Ghana AIDS Commission has issued a reminder to Easter revelers in Kwahu to protect themselves with condoms if they engage in sexual activities during the festivities.
This advice is part of a broader campaign to reduce the spread of HIV, as Kwahu has been identified as a hotspot for HIV transmission.
Dr. Steve Kyeremeh Atuahene, the Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, stated that as part of efforts to curb the spread of HIV, free condoms will be distributed, and free HIV testing will be available for anyone interested.
“Events such as the Kwahu Easter festival is a hot spot for HIV transmission and so the commission collaborated with the Ministry of Tourism and we have since been running HIV programmes since Kwahu Easter every year.”
The Director-General mentioned that the Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, provides services and support to individuals travelling to Kwahu for the Easter festivities.
“So every year, we set up screening and condom distribution centres in all the three districts within the Kwahu enclave, and at these centres we provide counselling and testing for HIV and other diseases and we also give out free condoms so that those who have romance on their minds should also think of protection,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo has urged motorists to drive carefully during the Easter festivity to prevent a rise in road accidents.
“In this season, let us drive carefully on the roads, and keep the nation in our prayers at all times,” he wrote in his Easter message.
Data released by theNational Road Safety Authority (NRSA) reveals that in January 2024, a total of 174 individuals tragically lost their lives.
During the same period, there were 1,142 reported road traffic accidents, involving 1,991 vehicles of various types, and resulting in 1,504 casualties, including 174 fatalities and 1,330 injuries.
Of the reported accidents, 55% (631) were categorised as minor, 33% (375) as serious, and 12% (136) as fatal.
Among the deceased, 9% (16 individuals) were under the age of 18, while the remaining 91% (158 individuals) were adults.
The president, accompanied by his wife Rebecca, family, and on behalf of the government, has extended Easter greetings to all Ghanaians.
The president expressed his hope that the Easter celebration would bring healing to the nation and cleanse it from all wrongdoing.
In his address, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the significance of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, emphasizing that it should herald a new season characterized by faith, hope, growth, prosperity, reconciliation, and sacrifice for everyone in Ghana and around the world.
“I wish all Ghanaians a Happy Easter with the hope that the blood spilled on the cross will heal our land, and cleanse us of our iniquities,” he wrote.
President Akufo-Addo encouraged Ghanaians to participate in various Easter activities, including conventions, social gatherings, picnics, and the traditional Kwahu Easter celebrations, while adhering to established safety measures.
President Akufo-Addo, accompanied by his wife Rebecca, family, and on behalf of the government, has extended Easter greetings to all Ghanaians.
The president expressed his hope that the Easter celebration would bring healing to the nation and cleanse it from all wrongdoing.
In his address, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the significance of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, emphasizing that it should herald a new season characterized by faith, hope, growth, prosperity, reconciliation, and sacrifice for everyone in Ghana and around the world.
“I wish all Ghanaians a Happy Easter with the hope that the blood spilled on the cross will heal our land, and cleanse us of our iniquities,” he wrote.
He also stressed the importance of safety during the holiday season, urging caution while driving and encouraging continuous prayer for the nation’s well-being.
President Akufo-Addo encouraged Ghanaians to participate in various Easter activities, including conventions, social gatherings, picnics, and the traditional Kwahu Easter celebrations, while adhering to established safety measures.
Traders in Kumasi’s Central Business Districts are expressing concerns about sluggish sales leading up to the Easter celebrations.
Despite the approaching festivities, traders at Adum, Kejetia, and Racecourse markets report subdued sales, contrary to the usual bustling activity seen during this period.
In interviews conducted by OTEC News reporters Nancy Boamaah and Juliet Tetteh on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, traders lamented that the sluggish sales were negatively impacting their profit margins.
They attributed the lackluster sales to the ongoing Ramadan observed by Muslims in the country, noting that many of their customers were fasting during this time.
Additionally, they cited the current state of the economy as another contributing factor to the sluggish sales across various markets.
“With Easter approaching, one would expect to see customers busily purchasing goods such as fowl, rice, eggs, yam, and vegetables, among others, for the celebration at various market centres, but we are not seeing that,” Abena, a trader at Adum, said.
The Akatsi North District Assembly in the Volta Region has prohibited Easter festivities in Ave Dakpa.
Nonetheless, the Assembly, through a statement released on Thursday, specified that regular Christian observances, funeral ceremonies, apprenticeship graduations, and traditional customary rituals remain permissible.
“DISEC warns against the modification of these celebrations and gatherings into a festival/durbar,” it added.
Moreover, the Assembly reiterated to the Ave Dakpa Community the imminent interim injunction against the Ameshikpe festival and strongly urged compliance with the court’s ruling.
“We kindly request the cooperation and understanding of all community members during this period. The peace of Ave Dakpa and the entire district is of utmost importance, and we need all of you on board to develop in a peaceful environment.”
“Please ensure to comply with these directives,” it added.
Some children on Easterweekend defaced the face, arms, and torso of a 230-year-old statue with crayons given to them during an egg hunt event.
“We are dismayed that this has happened,” a National Trust spokesperson told the BBC about the April 8 incident, adding: “Disappointing as they are, incidents like this are very rare considering the millions of visitors who enjoy and respect the places in our care.”
Representatives for National Trust, the nonprofit organization that maintains the historic Croome Court estate in Worcestershire, did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment. It remains unclear if there was security present at the outdoor event.
Crayon covering the coade stone statue ‘Sabrina’, Croome, Worcestershire. The statue was vandalised over Easter weekend, 2023
The statue, a water nymph by the sculptor John Bacon, was created between the late 1780s and early 1800s, The New York Times reported.
The blue scribbles have since been removed, the outlet reported.
Crayon covering the coade stone statue ‘Sabrina’, Croome, Worcestershire. The statue was vandalised over Easter weekend, 2023
A second impacted statue, a memorial to the landscape artist Lancelot Brown, was also defaced with messy blue marks, the BBC reported. It has still not yet been completely restored.
The responsible party has not been identified, a National Trust spokesperson told The New York Times.
GOIL has disclosed the cause of a recent fuel shortage at some of its stations across the country.
The Oil Marketing Company attributed the fuel shortage which occurred during the Easter season to disruptions in supply chain.
A statement by GOIL apologised for the inconvenience caused and revealed that over two million litres of fuel have been dispatched to stations experiencing the shortages.
GOIL added that over one million litres will be dispatched today.
“GOIL wishes to acknowledge to the public, especially its valued customers, that there have been shortages of its super XP RON 95 at some of its stations.
“The shortages which were experienced during the Easter holidays were because of operational challenges occasioned by supply disruptions.
“GOIL has meanwhile taken delivery of enough products and, has just yesterday, taken adequate steps to dispatch over two million litres to our fuel stations experiencing the shortages. Over two million litres more will be dispatched today.”
GOIL added that it intends to release more stocks to the affected stations in the next two days to augment supplies.
It was a sight to behold in the in Upper West Akim Constituency when about 92 communities converged to hold the Adom Easter Gala 2023.
Adeiso-Anchiase XI, one of the teams that participated in the competition carried the day after it defeated Okurase Zongo XI and took the ultimate prize of GHS 10,000.
The team entered the record books of Upper West Akim on Monday, April 10, after beating its opponent by a goal, to win the two-week competition.
The first runner-up also got GhS 5,000, while the third-place team, Breman FC bagged GhS 3,000.
Anchiase goalkeeper, Evans Apreku was crowned the Best Goalkeeper and the Player Of The Tournament following his impressive performance.
He walked away with an Itel 32 inch LED Tv and gloves.
Bashiru Tanko of Breman FC also went home with an electric blender for emerging as the top-scorer.
His run of excellent helped the former champions to finish third.
The competition which is dubbed “Adom Easter GALA” started on Sunday, March 26 and ended on Monday, April 10.
About 92 communities within the constituency competed for the ultimate.
This is the fifth edition of the annual event organised by the MP.
In attendance were DCE for the area, Mr Eugene Sackey, the NPP constituency chairman, Nana Addai Obuobi and his first Vice Chairman, Nuru Alhassan, Council of Elders, Council of Patrons and the chiefs of the area.
The People’s National Convention (PNC) has urged Christians to use the Easter season to reach out to God for protection against everything LGBTQ+.
“We wish to use this occasion to call on Christians to support the bill on proper human sexual values in parliament and to pray to God for the continuous protection of Ghana against LGBTQI+ influence”, the party said in a statement signed by General Secretary Janet Nabla, dated Friday, 7 April 2023.
The private members’ bill is being sponsored by MPs across the aisle in Ghana’s parliament.
It became a topical issue, for the umpteenth time, during the recent visit of US Vice President Kamala Harris to Ghana.
At a joint press conference with President Nana Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House, Accra, the US Vice President said she felt strongly about what she described a human rights issue.
For his part, Mr Akufo-Addo said his government was not behind the bill, stressing that it was being pushed by “just a handful of MPs”.
Mr Akufo-Addo said the bill was currently going through the parliamentary process, adding that he would step in at the right time.
Read the PNC’s full statement below:
The Press
LET’S CELEBRATE EASTER BY SACRIFICING FOR OUR COUNTRY JUST AS CHRIST SACRIFICED HIS LIFE TO SAVE MANKIND
The PNC wishes all Christians a Happy Easter celebration.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ changed the narrative of human history and infused hope, love and sacrifice into the world.
Christ’s sacrifice enjoined all believers to emulate him in their everyday life.
We must refrain from all forms of selfishness and greed that have bedeviled us as a nation but love one another and be each other’s keeper.
We wish to use this occasion to call on Christians to support the bill on proper human sexual values in parliament and to pray to God for the continuous protection of Ghana against LGBTQ+ influence.
The commemoration of Easter as a Christian festival began from 1876 when Ramseyer and other Basel missionaries came to Ghana and established the Presbyterian Church.
Before then, all the Kwahu communities had their traditions and annual festivals.
However, Easter was accepted and adopted by the communities when members understood the scriptures, got converted to Christianity and stopped consulting Atia Yaw, a traditional priest whose shrine was in Nkwatia Kwahu in the Kwahu East District.
The missionaries, who pitched camp at Kwahu Abetifi, also had to contend with deities such as Tigari, and history has it that there were several encounters between the missionaries and deities with their chief priests until Christianity became entrenched on the Kwahu ridge, and Easter, among other Christian festivities, became accepted by the larger society.
Since then (147 years ago), Easter has become synonymous with the Kwahus, and indigenes from both far and near make it a duty to return home during the period.
Why Easter was adopted
Delving into the adoption of Easter by the Kwahus, a retired teacher, Philip Asiama Opoku, popularly known as Professor Akasanoma, said the real name of Easter, according to the holy scriptures, is Passover.
“It is this same Passover that Jesus and his family partook in and on the eve of the death of Jesus Christ he ate the last supper with his disciples.
“Easter signifies that we are mourning Jesus Christ and Kwahus, by adopting it, are saying ‘we can hold a befitting funeral for Jesus’,” he told the Daily Graphic.
He recalled that even as a child, Kwahus marked Easter, which was referred to as the passion of Christ (Yesu Amanehunu), to wit ‘the suffering of Christ’.
“And we always said we were going to mark the suffering of Jesus Christ, so it is the funeral of Christ that we hold every year,” Mr Opoku stated.
Homecoming
The Chief of Obomeng, Od33fuo Nana Effah Opinamang III, however, said: “Easter is a period during which the indigenes, who have travelled, come home to support ongoing projects.
“There are not many jobs here so many citizens have travelled to other towns and cities to work so we urge them to come home this Easter period and support projects.”
Another reason for marking Easter on the Kwahu ridge, apart from merrymaking, is to afford people who have put up houses the opportunity to open them.
“It is an opportunity to know our citizens so that if there is a need for support in any developmental projects, we can fall on them,” he said.
Nonetheless, over the years, the Kwahu Easter festivities have come to be mostly associated with merrymaking, with many artistes flocking the ridge to perform at one concert or the other.
They have included Ghanaian musicians such as Kojo Antwi, Amakye Dede, Lord Kenya, Nana Tuffour, Ofori Amponsah, Slim Busterr, Kwabena Kwabena, Nana Agyeman, Batman, K. K. Fosu and Kofi Nti
Others are Daasebre Dwamena, Stone Bwoy, Kofi B, Guru, Pop Skinny, Castro, Nhyiraba Kojo, Kofi Kinata, Kuami Eugene, Shatta Wale, Bisa Kdei, Samini and Sarkodie, among other popular Ghanaian musicians.
History
Also recounting how the Kwahu Easter came into being, the Odikro of Demuni, Owusu Nyami, said: “History tells us that some time ago, Jesus and his family were going to their town for a census, which was a festival they attended regularly.
“So, we took something from that occurrence and the elders realised that our children who were scattered everywhere must also come home every year.
“For some people, if it were not for the annual festival, they would never come home so we chose this period for all our sons and daughters to come home.
If we come together like this, it makes people who hail from here get to know one another.”
He added that it gave people the chance to see indigenes who were visiting for the first time and expressed interest in marrying them, the opportunity to approach their families to seek their hand in marriage.
“It was gradual when it started – every year we visited so it was decided to institutionalise it.
During those times, whenever we gathered, we invited popular musicians then, such as C.K. Mann, so that we would not just come home but there would also be an aspect of entertainment.”
“In that way, whoever visited every year got the chance to meet family and old friends and also make merry and that is what has persisted till today.
So, when the occasion arrives, we tell all indigenes about developments home so that those who are doing well can support,” he added.
Projects
In terms of proposed and ongoing projects, Nana Opinamang III disclosed at the meeting with the Daily Graphic team that a new durbar ground had been proposed, work on which was yet to take off and asked sons and daughters to offer support when work started on it.
He said a kindergarten had also been established. “Obomeng stretches to Nkawkaw and Pankese and the villages under Obomeng are more than 16. We have set aside a plot of land for a police station at Wawase, and the community will join hands with the assembly to put it up to reduce crime rate,” he said.
Another plan is to build a new market at Abepotia to help all those who go to Akyem.
Urging cleanliness during the Easter festivities, Nana Opinamang stated: “If we are indeed the cleanest town then we are asking for an incinerator so that we can easily burn our waste and generate power.
We can do with some assistance from some non-governmental organisations and “Whoever cuts a tree should plant 10 in their place so that we preserve the environment.”
In spite of the advertisement of the Kwahu Easter being largely absent from the airwaves this year, indigenes, as well as guests, are sure to troop to the ridge this weekend, thus bringing about the legendary traffic jams on the entire stretch from Nkawkaw to Obomeng, the centre of all the celebration each year.
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has raised concerns over food safety during the Easter season, calling on the public to be health conscious.
The call comes on the back of the festive season, Easter, which is usually characterised by the influx of all kinds of cheap food items, and some times, expired or unapproved food products on the market.
The Head of FDA, Central Region, Francisca Obeng said, it is crucial that citizens prioritize food safety and abstain from purchasing foods that may potentially harm their health especially in this festive season.
“As we celebrate Easter, I will urge everyone to be vigilant when purchasing pre-packaged food. Please do well to check the expiry date before you proceed to make purchase,” she said.
Some foods that are nearing expiration could be sold at cheaper prices in the guise of promotion.
This she urged that, customers must insist on seeing the food permits when visiting food establishments and centres like, restaurant and chop bars.
“Also, make sure that any food vendor you are buying food from also has the Street Food Vending Permit” she added.
Madam Obeng stressed that the FDA working to keep the consumers safe from potentially harmful products.
“This will help us celebrate Easter in a way that after the celebration, we would not have any issues with our health,” she added.
Today, April 7, 2023, marks the beginning of Easter.
Christians in Ghana are joining their counterparts all over the world to commemorate Good Friday, one of the most significant events on the Christian calendar.
The Day marks the suffering, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ to atone for the sins of the world and reconcile believers with God eternally.
Holy Friday is observed as part of the Paschal Triduum, which is the final three days of Lent and Holy Week – the Friday preceding Easter Sunday.
Many Christians in Ghana wear black or mourning clothing to attend special church services to commemorate the day, which is one of the pillars of Christianity.
Some churches organise conventions for soul winning or musical concerts to celebrate Christ for His gift of life to mankind.
Good Friday comes barely a week after Palm Sunday, which marked the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.
Many Christians have over the Lent period been fasting, praying and asking for repentance and meditation on the agony and suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross and to understand what this means for their faith.
Members of Christian denominations including; Catholics, Methodists, and Anglicans observe the Holy Friday with worship services, prayer and vigil services, fasting and almsgiving.
However, according to the Moravian church, communicants have a Good Friday tradition of cleaning gravestones in Moravian cemeteries.
Good Friday is a widely instituted legal holiday in many countries around the world, including Ghana.
In Germany, laws prohibit some acts, such as dancing and horse racing that are seen as violating the solemn nature of the day.
The Catholics celebrate Baptism and the anointing of the sick as the only sacraments during this time.
Though the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, a traditional prayer book of the Anglican Church, did not specify a particular rule to be observed on Good Friday, local custom mandates an assortment of services including; the “Seven Last Words from the Cross.
Ahead of the celebrations, some Christians have extended best wishes, advices and word of encouragement to the Christian community.
The Reverend Dr Lawrence Tetteh, Founder and President of Worldwide Miracle Outreach, for instance, urged Christians to learn lessons from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to give meaning to His suffering.
He said Jesus Christ’s humility, Service, obedience and selflessness should be “our hallmark.”
“My prayer is that as a people, we will reflect on the mercies of our God and bless others accordingly…. May the nations be blessed as we renew our minds to deepened our relationship with our maker,” he added.
The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, the Most Bishop Paul Boafo, urged repentance and the adoption of healthy lifestyles that would promote peace, unity andnational advancement.
As Ghana joins the world to mark Good Friday today, Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has extended well-wishes to Christians around the world, especially those in Ghana.
In a tweet on Friday, April 7, he wished Ghanaians a Happy Easter.
“I wish Christians in Ghana and around the world a happy Easter. As Christians commemorate the passion of Jesus Christ, I entreat all to learn from the sacrifice illustrated by Christ to humanity and emulate it,” he tweeted.
Good Friday is a day Christians around the world remember when Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
It is also observed to celebrate the day Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, heralding his victory over sin and death and pointing ahead to a future resurrection for all who are united to him by faith.
To this end, Dr Bawumia has entreated all Christians to imitate the sacrifice Jesus Christ made to humanity.
He believed that if Christians are able to emulate the steps of Jesus Christ, there would be a “cordial co-existence on earth.”
The vice president was also hopeful and wished that the Easter celebration will be “an incident-free festive season.”
Whether you want to go home to be with your family or take advantage of the bank holiday for a long vacation, Easter is frequently a busy period for travel.
Unluckily, this makes it one of the most difficult times to get about London.
Throughout bank holiday weekends, public transportation frequently sees improvements as more people take advantage of their time off and use the already-busy facilities.
Roads can also be busier than usual, with more travellers than usual opting to get in the car to avoid any public transport delays.
So, if you’re planning a journey around the capital this weekend, what should you keep in mind?
Here is what you need to know.
Easter 2023 travel disruption in London
Latest London news
With potential disruption on both the road and public transport, it’s essential to check any journey details in advance, as well as on the day of departure, for the latest updates.
Complete information on travelling around London over Easter 2023 is available on the TfL website.
TfL also recommends using the TfL Go app and the TfL Journey Planner.
Rail
National Rail has warned of several potential problems over the Easter weekend.
While the trains are running, travellers have been warned to plan their journey in advance, with disruption expected from Friday, April 7 to Monday, April 10, 2023.
Concerning London specifically, modernisation to both tracks and signalling on some lines into the London Victoria station will be taking place, and Southern services will not call. They may instead be diverted to London Bridge.
There will also be no trains running to or from London Euston at Easter.
The various Train Operating Companies may also be operating different timetables over the Easter weekend, with full details available on the National Rail website.
Tube
Currently expected disruptions on the London Underground network include:
Jubilee line – On Good Friday, April 7, there is no service on the entire line until 2pm. After 2pm, there will be no service between West Hampstead and Stanmore, which will continue to be the case until April 10.
Metropolitan line – The Metropolitan line will see no service between Aldgate and Harrow-on-the-Hill from April 8 to April 10.
Elizabeth line
From April 7 to April 10, the Paddington to Maidenhead stretch of the line will see a reduced service, and there will be no service from Paddington to Abbey Wood.
However, there will be services running to/ from the Paddington and Liverpool Street national rail terminals and regular service is expected between Maidenhead to Reading and Paddington to Heathrow.
London Overground and DLR
On Good Friday, a Saturday service will run on the London Overground with no service between Euston and Kilburn High Road (which will also be the case on Saturday, April 8).
On Easter Sunday (April 9), there will be no service between Euston and Watford Junction, as well as no service between Gospel Oak and Barking Riverside. The Camden Road to Stratford line will also see no service after 10.15pm.
On Monday, April 10, the London Overground will also be running a Saturday service, with no service between Euston and Watford Junction and Woodgrange Park to Barking Riverside.
Between April 7 and April 10, the DLY will see no direct services between Lewisham and Bank, meaning you will have to change at Poplar.
Trams
Throughout the Easter period (April 7 to April 10), there will be no service westbound from East Croydon to Wandle Park and no eastbound service from Reeves Corner to East Croydon.
On Good Friday and Saturday, April 9, there will be no service before 7.30am and after 6.30pm between Arena and Elmers End. On Easter Sunday and Monday, the same restriction will apply before 9.15am and after 6.15pm.
Road
TfL has warned that roadworks will occur over the Easter bank holiday weekend and that public transport will be the easiest way to get around.
If you are travelling by road, allow more time for your journey. You can also check the status of the capital’s streets via the TfL website.
Cycling
If you’re planning to journey via bike this weekend, the TfL website states that there will be temporary changes to Cycleway 3, saying: ‘Between Monday, April 3 and Monday, May 15 2023, there will be temporary changes to Cycleway 3 around Buckingham Palace and Constitution Hill.
‘These are to support the London Marathon and Coronation events.’
The general public has been advised by the Cybersecurity Authority to use caution and due vigilance when engaging in online activities.
“Easter is a major Christian festival that celebrates the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Malicious actors are likely to take advantage of the season to perpetrate online fraud or scams.”
The Cybersecurity Authority in a statement said “Malicious actors create fake online shops or impersonate existing businesses on social media pages, offering heavily discounted goods. Victims are enticed to send money for these deals but never receive the items.”
“Malicious actors trick unsuspecting victims into sharing their mobile money wallet PIN. The scammers then proceed to make unauthorised payments or transfers from the victim’s wallet. Malicious actors impersonate workers of a legitimate courier service and lure unsuspecting victims to believe they have a package that needs to be delivered for a certain fee. No delivery is made after the victims make the payment.” Recommendations
Be cautious of unsolicited emails or messages offering exciting or “too good to be true” deals connected to the Easter celebration.
Do not share your personal information such as your credit/debit card information or bank account details with anyone, especially if you do not know them well.
Use only reputable online marketplaces or retailers when purchasing items or gifts. Look for reviews and customer feedback and always insist on payment AFTER delivery. Do not pay any delivery fees for goods you did not order.
The CSA has a 24-hour Cybersecurity/Cybercrime Incident Reporting Points of Contact (PoC) for reporting cybercrimes and for seeking guidance and assistance on online activities. Call or Text-292, WhatsApp-050 160 3111 or Email -report@csa.qov.gh.
In order to celebrate Easter, Parliament has been suspended sine die.
This came after parliament passed three revenue laws that the government had submitted in an effort to increase domestic revenue mobilization.
Alban Bagbin, Speaker of the House, advised the MPs to avoid making decisions that would undermine the proceedings of the house at the following meeting in his concluding remarks to the chamber.
Mr. Bagbin said, “In spite of the shock we had during this meeting, I urge all to still continue to give thanks to almighty God because that is his will.”
“We have really endeared ourselves particularly the leaders, my deputies to try and build more consensus. But we have had some rather sometimes inexplicable U-turns. And that sometimes saddens me. I hope we will not go through this experience in the next meeting. You have shown that Friday you all came prepared to work hard. So are some of the ministers,” he said.
The Speaker expressed his appreciation to the leadership of both sides and the clerks.
“My gratitude goes to the two deputy speakers for always stepping in to preside anytime I’m not around. And my appreciation goes to the leadership of both sides we tried many times to come to a consensus before Parliament starts. Sometimes we will not be able to carry through. But I pray and hope that w will improve on it. I want to thank the clerk and his deputies and all MPs for what we have achieved so far,” he said.
He advised the MPs to take good care of themselves as they journey to their various constituencies.
“I wish you travelling mercies as you go to your constituencies. What happened on Friday was an accident. Value yourselves so make sure that we all come back to meet in great hope. I declare Parliament adjourned sine die,” the Speaker stated.
Parliament on Friday, March 31, passed the Excise Duty Amendment Bill 2022, the Growth and Sustainability Levy Bill, 2022, the Ghana Revenue Authority Bill 2022 and the Income Tax Amendment Bill 2022.
The financial bills presented to Parliament by the government seek to rake in about 4 billion Ghana Cedis annually as part of domestic revenue mobilisation.
The bills are also crucial to aid the government’s quest to facilitate the Board Approval for the $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) Programme staff-level agreement.
The Minority in Parliament earlier communicated its opposition to the bills.
The Member of Parliament for Nanton, Mohammed Hardi Tuferi was involved in an accident ahead of the crucial vote on the new revenue bills on Friday.
The MP who is a member of the Majority Caucus was however sent to Parliament via an ambulance to report to the leadership of the House and later sent to the hospital.
But the Speaker said nothing untoward was done in the passage of the controversial revenue bills despite the absence of the Member of Parliament for Nanton.
Hundreds of travellers queued at several transport hubs in Koforidua, waiting anxiously for vehicles to their destinations for this year’s Easter celebration.
Mr Kwabena Opoku, a driver at the Ho station, said the drivers were raking in on the season since the holidays coincided with senior high school form two students going for a break, which created an opportunity for them to make a lot of money.
However, Mr Isaac Owiredu, a trader, told the Ghana News Agency that it was unfortunate that Easter Monday, the day after the Saviour’s resurrection, which should be joyfully celebrated, would be dull because the New Juaben Traditional Council, Koforidua, had imposed a noise-making ban from April 18 to May 18, 2022.
He explained that it was in relation with the Traditional Area’s late Paramount Chief and Queen Mother’s final funeral ceremonies.
Ms Janet Adjei, a passenger, stated that she was heading to Kwahu Obomen to celebrate the season due to the boredom of the festivities in Koforidua.
Mr Courage Kpoor, a passenger heading to Ho, expressed the view that more people travelled to Ho during Easter than at Christmas since it appeared to be a favorable time to reunite with family.
Easter is a time on the Christian calendar that commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of mankind and reunite them with God.
In Ghana, every year, Easter is marked with special church services and other religious observations, especially on Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, as well as picnics on Easter Monday among other festivities.
The Ghana Police Service has issued guidelines for the Easter celebration.
The directive from the police says religious bodies are expected to hold services, not beyond two hours.
“Churches, Mosques and religious bodies are expected to hold services not beyond two hours for 100 participants maximum only, observing all other COVID-19 protocols. Conventions, crusades, pilgrimages and such large physical gatherings are not allowed.â€
Operators of tourists sites have been directed to also adhere to the safety protocols if they want to operate.
“Tourist sites and attractions. Operators of tourist sites and attractions may open to the public, provided they ensure the wearing of face masks, social distancing and enhanced hygiene by all patrons.â€
On funerals, the directive said: “Funerals. Families may like to take advantage of the holiday period to bury loved ones. The public is reminded that it is illegal to hold funerals. Private burials may be held with a maximum of twenty-five people if held outside the church or religious facility. For church or religious burial services, the maximum number of participants should be hundred. In all cases, the COVID-19 protocols are expected to be observed and the duration shall be two hours maximum. Road safety. Together with road safety partners, Police Officers would be present at mapped out traffic congestion and accident prone areas.â€
Thousands of police are deploying ahead of Orthodox Easter celebrations this weekend to keep stir-crazy Greeks indoors, in a mobilisation unseen since the 2004 Olympics.
Backed by helicopters and drones, nearly everyone that can be spared on the 52,000-strong Greek police force will be on the streets, with trainees filling the gaps back at stations, a senior police source told AFP.
The deployment can only be compared to the security operation mounted for the Athens 2004 Olympics involving 70,000 police and army staff, the officer said.
Easter is Greece’s foremost religious celebration, during which churches record their highest attendances. It is also an opportunity for many to visit rural homes and nearly every town holds communal feasts.
But authorities warn this could prove disastrous in this year’s fight against the virus.
The government has repeatedly stressed that Easter church gatherings and family feasts are strictly not allowed under lockdown rules.
“Particularly on (Easter) Sunday, we must avoid having people leaving their homes and congregating,” Stavros Balaskas, a senior member of the POASY police union, told Focus FM radio.
He admitted that officers would find themselves in a “very tough spot” trying to enforce lockdown rules.
“We call on the public, please don’t make it more difficult for us,” Balaskas said.
Greece has so far announced 102 deaths from the virus since March 12.
– ‘Strong but discreet’ –
“We will have a strong but discreet presence outside churches to prevent gatherings. We hope we won’t find people there,” police unionist Stratos Mavroidakos told Mega TV.
“If we find a large gathering (inside a home and participants refuse to disband) there will be fines.”
“But we can’t put a police officer on every corner,” he added.
In addition to highway toll points and ports, squads have also been deployed on back roads to the countryside and coasts.
Special police patrols will be set up near churches ahead of Easter Sunday, and there are also instructions to officers to be on the lookout for large gatherings on gardens, roofs and balconies.
Unwarranted movement is punishable by a fine of 150 euros, and double that for those caught travelling outside prefecture borders.
In recent weeks, over 40,000 people have been fined an aggregate sum of over six million euros for leaving their home without a valid reason.
Government spokesman Stelios Petsas this week insisted Greece is “not a police state”.
“We count on persuasion,” Petsas told Antenna TV on Wednesday.
Despite strict instructions from the Church of Greece to hold Easter sermons behind closed doors, some are flouting health warnings.
Am Alpha TV poll this week found that three percent of respondents intend to go to church and six percent plan Easter family gatherings, despite restrictions.
Nearly nine percent find the measures “excessive”.
Some religious hardliners have posted online calls to the faithful to flock to churches in force to overwhelm police patrols, news reports say.
Privately, police dread the prospect of having to arrest priests during what is Greece’s most devout religious celebration.
“It’s going to be tough…all we can do is issue warnings,” says the senior officer, adding: “These people are not criminals…we can just try to break up gatherings.”
The bishop of Corfu has already been prosecuted for holding a sermon on Palm Sunday and will be put on trial in May.
And a priest in the Athens district of Koukaki temporarily went into hiding this week after holding Holy Communion out of the back door of his church against regulations.
“Some parents and their children were insistently banging on the church door, asking to take communion,” the priest later explained in a Facebook post, describing himself as “a simple priest just trying to do his duty.
Zoos that should have been crowded in the sunny Easter holidays are now hard-up and asking for donations, as the coronavirus lockdown bites.
A zoo director in northern Germany has even admitted that some animals might soon have to be fed to others, if the zoo is to survive.
“We’ve listed the animals we’ll have to slaughter first,” Neumünster Zoo’s Verena Kaspari told Die Welt.
Berlin Zoo has infant panda twins, but their fans can only watch them online.
The zoo’s spokeswoman Philine Hachmeister told DPA news agency “the panda twins are adorably sweet”.
“Constantly we’re thinking ‘the visitors should be watching them live’. We don’t want the little pandas to be grown up by the time we finally reopen.”
Big appetites
Ms Kaspari at Neumünster Zoo said killing some animals so that others could live would be a last resort, and “unpleasant”, but even that would not solve the financial problem.
The seals and penguins needed big quantities of fresh fish daily, she pointed out.
“If it comes to it, I’ll have to euthanise animals, rather than let them starve,” she said.
“At the worst, we would have to feed some of the animals to others.”
Ms Kaspari’s zoo belongs to an association, which is not covered by the state emergency fund for small businesses.
She estimates the zoo’s loss of income this spring will be about €175,000 (£152,400).
Besides direct appeals for public donations, Germany’s zoos are jointly requesting government aid worth €100m, DPA reports.
Germany’s national zoo association (VdZ) argues that zoos, unlike many other businesses, cannot go into hibernation and run down costs. Animals still have to be fed daily and looked after, while a tropical enclosure has to be heated above 20C.
Managers of the Kintampo Waterfalls in the Kintampo North Municipality of the Bono East region have complained about a decline in the number of customers to the waterfalls.
Usually, a busy place for “holidayersâ€, the leading tourist centre in the region was strangely deserted on April 13, 2020, which happens to be Easter Monday.
Management says Easter festivities which usually drive people from different parts of the country to the beautiful cascading waterfalls located on the Pumpum River with a suspended walkway, could not salvage the situation.
According to Mr Bismark Baiden, the Officer in Charge of the Waterfalls, they started experiencing a fall in patronage in March but the situation has further compounded as a result of ban on public gatherings.
Mr Baiden revealed that the waterfalls used to record an average number, 600 people, a week but there has been a nosedive in the number of customers who visit the place.
On the current number visits, he said whilst only two people visited the place on Easter Sunday; not a single person had visited the place by noon on Easter Monday.
The reduction in patronage has says had led to a massive dip in revenue, a situation he says will affect the smooth running of the place.
“We were receiving about 600 customers a week but strangely the figures have gone down drastically. We started getting low patronage in March but now it has gone down totally. On a normal day like this, the place will be packed to capacity but the story is different because of COVID-19â€.
The Kintampo Waterfalls in 2019 attracted 23,806. The figure showed a significant increase from the 19,223 tourists that visited the site in 2018 but there is the likelihood that the 2020 figures will go down owing to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Some Catholic penitents flagellated themselves and prayed outside closed churches in the Philippines to commemorate the death of Jesus on Good Friday, despite strict government orders for people to stay indoors to contain the coronavirus.
The capital, Manila, and many parts of the Catholic-majority Southeast Asian country have been in “enhanced community quarantineâ€, but that did not stop some devotees from doing their annual penitence for Lent.
“We are here because we want the spread of COVID-19 to end and we pray that things in our country will go back to normal,†said Edward Degusano, who joined a self-flagellation ritual outside a church in Manila.
COVID-19 is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, which emerged in central China late last year and has spread around the world, infecting some 1.6 million people and killing nearly 100,000 of them.
The Philippines has recorded 4,195 coronavirus cases, with its death toll reaching 221 on Friday.
Bishops in Manila suspended services for the Holy Week due to the lockdown, which began in mid-March.
The Catholic church has expressed disapproval of the self-punishments, saying prayers and sincere repentance are enough for sins to be forgiven.
But many Catholics in the Philippines perform religious penance during the week leading up to Easter as a form of worship and supplication, believing that the ritual can even cure illnesses and make wishes come true.
Europe’s Christians are facing an extraordinary Easter under lockdown, with traditionally large congregations replaced by live-streamed services.
On Friday the Vatican will Livestream Pope Francis’s celebration of the Passion in St Peter’s Basilica and prayer of the Stations of the Cross.
Portugal has not been hit as badly as Spain and Italy by a coronavirus, but has now ordered people to stay at home, with police roadblocks to cut travel.
Poland has also imposed strict curbs.
The Pope’s Palm Sunday mass took place behind closed doors at St. Peter’s on 5 April, with just a few people attending.
Poland, where Easter is usually marked by a huge outpouring of the Catholic faith, has closed its borders, as well as schools, shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Deputy Health Minister Waldemar Kraska said some restrictions would be eased after Easter to “turn on the economy a little”, but he did not elaborate.
‘Nature never forgives’ In an interview with The Tablet, the Pope said humanity must draw lessons from the Covid-19 crisis, calling it a time to reconnect with nature.
“Let us not file it away and go back to where we were. This is the time to take the decisive step, to move from using and misusing nature to contemplating it,” he said.
He cited a Spanish expression: “God always forgives, we forgive sometimes, but nature never forgives”, and lamented the devastating wildfires in Australia and melting of polar ice attributed to global warming.
He also condemned the “hypocrisy” of certain politicians – not named – who spoke about tackling the pandemic and hunger in the world, “but who in the meantime manufacture weapons”.
On a more positive note, he praised “the saints who live next door” – people like medics, volunteers and priests who were serving the community, to keep society functioning.
Describing the impact on him personally, the Pope said he was praying more and Vatican staff were working in shifts, to practice social distancing. They were relying on technology to reduce meetings, he added.
Milan, the city at the epicenter of the crisis in Italy, will reach out to Christians on Easter Sunday with a performance by tenor Andrea Bocelli in its empty cathedral, the Duomo.
The broadcast of sacred music will be streamed on YouTube. Bocelli, quoted by AFP news agency, said it would be “a prayer then, for Milan and for the world, in front of an absolutely painful, tragic and unsettling event”.
More than 9,000 of the 17,669 deaths in Italy have been in Lombardy, the northern region with Milan as its capital.
President Donald Trump has said federal coronavirus guidelines such as social distancing will be extended across the US until at least 30 April.
He had previously suggested that they could be relaxed as early as Easter, which falls in mid-April.
“The highest point of the death rate is likely to hit in two weeks,” Mr Trump said.
He appeared to be referring to peak infection rates that it is feared could overwhelm hospitals.
White House medical adviser Dr Anthony Fauci had earlier warned that the virus could kill up to 200,000 Americans.
Dr Fauci said that it was “entirely conceivable” that millions of Americans could eventually be infected.
The US now has more than 140,000 confirmed cases.
As of Sunday evening, 2,493 deaths had been recorded in the country in relation to Covid-19, according to figures collated by Johns Hopkins University.
The United States overtook both China and Italy last week in the number of reported cases.
What did Trump say?
Speaking during the latest Coronavirus Task Force press briefing at the White House on Sunday, the president said that measures such as social distancing were “the way you win”, adding that the US “will be well on our way to recovery” by June.
The measures mean residents must continue to avoid non-essential travel, going to work, and eating at restaurants or bars. Gatherings are limited to groups of under 10 people.
Suggesting that the “peak” of death rates in the US was likely to hit in two weeks, Mr Trump said that “nothing would be worse than declaring victory before victory is won – that would be the greatest loss of all”.
Analysts suggest that when Mr Trump referred to a peak in the “death rate”, he probably meant the total number of recorded infections.
He said the decision to extend social distancing was made after he heard that “2.2 million people could have died if we didn’t go through with all of this”, adding that if the death toll could be restricted to less than 100,000 “we all together have done a very good job”.
The 2.2 million figure he was referring to appeared in a coronavirus impact report published by Imperial College London on 16 March.
Mr Trump had previously said that Easter – 10-13 April – would be a “beautiful time” to be able to open at least some sections of the country. On Sunday he said that lifting restrictions at Easter was “just an aspiration”.
“I wish we could have our old life back… but we’re working very hard, that’s all I know. I see things, I see numbers, they don’t matter to me. What matters to me is that we have a victory over this thing as soon as possible,” he said.
The president also talked on Sunday about the medical response. He said that “rapid testing” had been approved to get Covid-19 results within five minutes, and that doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers would be tested.
What about the shortage of equipment?
Earlier on Sunday, Mr Trump accused hospitals in some states of “hoarding” ventilators, face masks and other critical medical supplies.
“We do have a problem with hoarding… including ventilators. Hospitals need to release them – in some cases they have too many, they have to release medical supplies and equipment,” he said.
Hospitals “can’t hold [ventilators] if they think there might be a problem weeks down the road”, he said, alleging that some were “stocked up”.
The availability of ventilators is a major concern among health professionals as demand has surged with the spread of the virus. A number of states have warned that they will soon not have enough to treat patients suffering from Covid-19.
The new coronavirus can cause severe respiratory issues as it attacks the lungs, and ventilators help to keep patients breathing.
President Trump has ordered General Motors in Detroit to produce more of the medical machines to satisfy demand.
In a separate development, a new breathing aid has been created that can help keep coronavirus patients out of intensive care. The device was built by the Mercedes Formula One racing team, working in collaboration with engineers from University College London.
What is the latest from elsewhere?
More than 33,000 people are now confirmed to have died worldwide after being infected with the new coronavirus.
Some of the latest major global developments include:
– Australia has tightened its restrictions on movement, with public gatherings now limited to just two people and playgrounds, outdoor gyms and parks closed from Monday
– South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in has said emergency cash payments will be made to all households except the top 30% by income
– In the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed that about 20,000 former NHS staff had returned to work to help the fight against coronavirus
– Spain recorded a new daily record of deaths, reporting 838 victims on Sunday, as new restrictions came into force requiring all non-essential workers should stay at home for the next 11 days
– Italy recorded 756 new deaths over 24 hours, bringing the total to 10,779 a slight drop in the daily toll
– France reported 292 new deaths, bringing its total to 2,606 as specially modified trains began transporting patients from the worst-hit areas in the east of the country to hospitals in the south
– Tight new restrictions have been imposed on the movement of people in the Russian capital Moscow, with residents only permitted to leave their homes for medical emergencies, essential work and to shop for food or medicine
– Hundreds of passengers on a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship off Panama were told on Sunday that the Dutch-owned operator was still trying to “figure out” where people could disembark.
