Accra, March 21, 2020//-Ghana today closed all its borders for two weeks to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which claimed one life in the country.
Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who announced this, explained that the decision was to help reduce further escalation of the infection rate of the disease in the country.
Ghana has so far confirmed 19 cases with one death recorded in Kumasi, the country’s second-biggest city.
The address being the third address to the nation on the coronavirus pandemic, Mr Akufo-Addo assured that the border closures would not apply to goods supply to the country.
He said: “Firstly, all our borders, that is by land, sea and air, will be closed to human traffic for the next two weeks, beginning midnight on Sunday. Anybody who comes into the country, before midnight on Sunday, will be mandatorily quarantined and tested for the virus. This closure will not apply to goods, supplies and cargo”.
Secondly, the Ministry of Health will not only step up its contact tracing efforts, but will also see to it that all persons who have been identified as having come into contact with infected persons are tested for the virus.
More personal protection equipment are being procured to beef up supplies for our frontline health workers. Fifty thousand additional test kits have been ordered, and are expected in the country very shortly”.
Thirdly, the Ministry of Health is mobilising new and retired healthcare professionals to augment our preparedness in dealing with a possible surge in infections.
It is heartening to hear of the numbers of retired healthcare professionals who have stepped forward to offer their services, just as it is to note the Ghanaian entrepreneurs who have responded to this crisis by producing greater quantities of sanitisers and ‘Veronica buckets’.
The president reiterated his appeal to members of the pharmaceutical industry to scale up their domestic production of pharmaceutical products. Government will do its best to support them, he stated.
“As I have stated before, there will be a constant review of the measures announced, and, if necessary, enhanced”.
Localised infections
According to him, “the cases of localised infections require that we maintain strict self-discipline, and continue to practice prescribed social distancing and enhanced hygiene protocols in all aspects of our daily lives”.
We must wash our hands regularly, use alcohol-based sanitisers, stop shaking hands, and avoid unnecessary close body contact. I am pleading with each and every one of you, comply with these measures. Our survival is in our own hands”.
Whilst citizens continue to adhere to these measures, and ramp up their efforts to defeat this virus, Mr Akufo-Addo urged all of them, also, to seek the face of the Almighty.
National day of fasting and prayer
“So, on Wednesday, 25th March, 2020, I appeal to all Ghanaians, Christians and Muslims, to observe a national day of fasting and prayer. Let us pray to God to protect our nation and save us from this pandemic. I thank the men and women of God who prayed for the nation with me on Thursday, and with the Vice President on Friday, for their intervention”.
He applauded the efforts and courage of Ghanaians in the forefront of the fight against the virus – health workers, immigration officials, customs officials, civil aviation officials, airport staff, port health officials, police and military personnel, and other essential service providers – for the yeoman’s work you are doing. Our nation is deeply in your debt.
What gov’t seeks to achieve
All that Government is doing is intended to achieve five (5) key objectives – limit and stop the importation of the virus; contain its spread; provide adequate care for the sick; limit the impact of the virus on social and economic life; and inspire the expansion of our domestic capability and deepen our self-reliance, he stated.
“There are obvious difficulties ahead of us, and we should all brace ourselves to face them. I will be transparent with you, and not shirk from sharing with you the realities of our situation.
But, I am determined to take whatever steps are necessary to safeguard our society, our economy and our future. I remain confident that together, and by the Grace of God, we shall overcome. This, too, will pass”.
African Eye Report
