Further, we are making significant investments in the laboratories at the Veterinary Laboratory, Accra, the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratory, Accra, the Police Hospital, the 37 Military Hospitals, the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, the Veterinary Services Department in Sekondi-Takoradi, the Public Health Laboratory in Tamale, the War Memorial Hospital in Navrongo and the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, so they can also use PCR Technology. That means each and every one of us must exercise, at all times, during this period without the partial lockdown in Accra and Kumasi, a strong sense of selflessness, self-control and self-discipline.It is important to stress strongly that coming out of the partial lockdown in Accra and Kumasi does not mean we are out of the pandemic. I have noticed, with great concern, the stories of some persons, who have recovered from the virus, now being confronted with another problem, i.e. 98.5%, testing negative; ninety-nine (99) persons have recovered and have been discharged; and nine hundred and thirty (930) persons, who have been isolated, are responding to treatment either in their homes or in treatment facilities.These nine hundred and thirty (930) persons, after their treatment, will soon undergo the mandatory two (2) tests to determine if they have also recovered from the virus or otherwise.The main reason our country has seen an increase in the number of confirmed cases over the last three (3) weeks is because of the decision we took aggressively to trace and test contacts of infected persons.This has enabled us to identify and isolate infected persons, protect the population from further infections, and contain better the spread of the virus. To defeat the virus, and get there, we have to accept that we have to wash our hands, maintain good hygiene, refrain from shaking hands, wear our masks, and practice social distancing in all of our engagements.Min da nyɛ shi waa, nyɛ yaa nɔ ni yɛ boa nwiemɔ tuɛ, koni wɔ fɛɛ wɔ ye nkuni.I thank you for your attention, and have a good night. We are a people with an exceptional history, and we are the proud promoters of the Black Star of Africa. Subsequently, on 27th March, I placed restrictions on movement of persons in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Tema, Kasoa, and the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area and contiguous districts, for a period of three (3) weeks.In view of the obvious economic difficulties that the tough measures brought, I also announced far-reaching reliefs to ease the economic and social burden on households and businesses. Out of this number,one thousand and forty-two (1,042) persons, i.e. 64 of 15th March, until 31st July.In here, I refer to the suspension of sporting events, nightclubs, cinemas, drinking spots, bars, beaches, festivals, funerals, political rallies, and large religious gatherings such as crusades, pilgrimages and conventions.Our border, by air, land and sea, remains closed until further notice for human traffic. However, I want to assure you that Government has put in place the appropriate measures to isolate and treat them.Should there be an unexpected outburst in infections within a community, I have put the health workers and the security services, including the Police Service and the ArmedForces, on standby, to co-ordinate a rapid response of human and logistical resources, if necessary, to cordon, impose a curfew, trace, test, and treat infected persons in the affected community. All educational facilities, private and public, are to remain closed. I requested all of us to sacrifice for our collective good, and we have been doing just that.I thank all our healthcare workers, the men and women of our security services, and members of the media, for the work they are doing in helping to combat the spread of the virus. National parade for the celebration will be held at the Baba Yara Sports stadium in Kumasi. I would appeal to them, in the case of Christians, on the first Sunday of re-opening, i.e. Let me express my gratitude to all of you for bearing with Government, all health workers, and with members of our security services, throughout this period. Our hospitalisation and death rates have been, persistently, very low, some of the lowest in Africa and in the world. I expect disbursements of the six hundred million cedis to start in May. All other measures are still firmly in place. Address To The Nation By The President Of The Republic,Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, On Updates To Ghana’s Enhanced Response To The Coronavirus Pandemic, On Sunday, 31st May, 2020. It is, therefore, incumbent on us to continue to be vigilant abouttravelers into our country until further notice, and to congratulate the men and women of the Immigration Service and the Marine Police Unit for their work in securing our borders. In total, the relief on electricity will amount to some one billion cedis (GH¢1.02 billion).Again, Government, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture through the National Buffer Stock Company, in collaboration with the MMDCEs and the District Disaster Management Committees, has provided over 2.5 million cooked food packs to vulnerable persons in the affected districts of Accra and Kumasi.
Ghana, recognising this critical public health tool, will support the African Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative, which is chaired by Noguchi’s Prof William Ampofo, to promote the agenda for vaccine development and manufacturing in Africa by Africans for the world.Government has also introduced the use of drones to expedite the transportation of samples to laboratory centres. This too shall pass! For the avoidance of doubt, all other educational facilities, private and public, for non-final year students, will remain closed.The Minister for Education, in the coming days, will outline, in detail, the specific guidelines for the safe reopening of our schools and universities.Private burials, now with a maximum of one hundred (100) persons, can continue to be performed.