Ghana

Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo, has lifted the three weeks restriction on movement in parts of the country implemented earlier to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19.

“…I have taken the decision to lift the three (3) week old restriction on movements in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area and Kasoa, and the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area and its contiguous districts, with effect from 1 am on Monday, 20th April. In effect, tomorrow will see the partial lockdown in Accra and Kumasi being lifted,” the president announced.

In a televised address on Sunday, April 19, Mr Akufo-Addo said the decision was made based on the basis of the country’s ability to undertake aggressive contact tracing of infected persons, the enhancement of its capacity to test, the expansion in the numbers of treatment, provision of isolation centres, and a better understanding of the dynamism of the virus. 

Other reasons given by President Akufo-Addo for the suspension of the ban on movement are the ramping up of the country’s domestic capacity to produce its own personal protective equipment, sanitisers and medicines, the modest successes chalked at containing the spread of the virus in Accra and Kumasi, and the severe impact on the poor and vulnerable.

The President added that the suspension of restrictions on movement does not mean the government has let down its guard. However, he affirmed that the ban on mass gatherings and the closure of Ghana’s borders to human traffic remain in force.

“I must make it clear, at the outset, that lifting these restrictions does not mean we are letting our guard down. All other measures are still firmly in place. For the avoidance of doubt, the earlier measures announced on Wednesday, 15th March, which have been extended, are still very much in force, and have not been relaxed,” President Akufo-Addo added.

Four major cities in the Greater Accra, Ashanti and Central regions had been under lockdown since March 31, following confirmation of 137 cases. The president at the time said the decision was based on science and data and that future course of action would be determined by these same factors.

The president urged Ghanaians to wear masks wherever they go.

“Like the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently advised, I want to encourage you to wear a mask wherever you go, as it will help you not to contract the virus, and keep it clean. If you own a business or are providing a service, i.e. a barber, a hairdresser, a tailor, a taxi driver, a trotro driver and his ‘mate’, a shop keeper, a food seller, please do well to use a mask. The Ministry of Health will very soon issue guidelines on face masks for public use,” he said.

Reactions of the Public

The announcement has come as a surprise to some who were anticipating an extension or a national lockdown following a spike in the number of confirmed cases across the country.

Some security analysts and health experts say the president’s decision was hasty and could have serious repercussions on the country. 

The announcement has been welcomed by some and has been met with jubilation from a section of the populace.

Ghana’s Coronavirus Case Count

Ghana’s coronavirus case count has increased steadily since the index case was reported on March 12 and has spread to 10 of its 16 regions. 

A total of 1,145 positive cases have been confirmed as of April 23. The majority of cases are in Accra and Kumasi. Of the number, 120 persons have recovered and have been discharged while nine have died. 

The government of Ghana has imposed restrictions on movement in some major parts of the country for two weeks effective 1 a.m. Monday, 31 March 2020.

Addressing the nation Friday evening, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said stricter measures needed to be implemented to help curb the spread of coronavirus.

“However, prevailing circumstances mean stricter measures need to be put in place to stop the spread of the virus in-country in Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Kumasi which have been identified by the Ghana Health Service as the “hotspots” of the infections,” he said.

The President’s decision is backed by the new Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012) passed by Parliament last week despite opposition from the main opposition political party, the National Democratic Congress. The bill gives legal backings to the president’s directives as the country deals with the spread coronavirus in the country. 

“Effective 1 am Monday 30th March, some 48 hours from now, I have imposed, pursuant to the powers granted the President of the Republic, under the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012), restrictions on the movement of persons in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area ( GAMA, which includes Awutu Senya East) and the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area and contiguous districts, for a period of two weeks, subject to review,” he said.  

Essential service providers are exempted from the lockdown. This includes members of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, journalists, members of the security service assigned lawful duties, producers, distributors and marketers of food and beverages and fuel station staff.

President Akufo-Addo also announced a COVID-19 Fund to receive contributions and donations to assist the poor and needy. He said he is donating his April, May and June salaries to the fund as seed capital.

“I am announcing tonight the establishment of a COVID-19 Fund, to be managed by an independent board of trustees, and chaired by former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, to receive contributions and donations from the public to assist in the welfare of the needy and the vulnerable. I have directed the Controller and Accountant General to pay my next three months’ salary, that is April, May and June, into this Fund,” he said.

The country as of March 27 has recorded 137 cases of Covid-19. The majority of cases, 78, are travellers who have been mandatorily quarantined and tested following a directive by the president last week. A total of four deaths and two recoveries have so far been recorded. 

Calls for a Lock Down

Calls for a lockdown of the country, especially the epicentres of the disease, Accra and Kumasi, have been deafening following an exponential increase in the number of confirmed cases on Tuesday, March 24. The number of confirmed cases jumped from 27 to 53.

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) at the time indicated the increase was as a result of tests performed on travellers who had been mandatorily quarantined following a directive by the President.

“The sudden spike in case incidence is as a result of the mandatory quarantine and compulsory testing for all travellers entering Ghana, as directed by the president,” information on the GHS Covid-19 dedicated website explained.

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) lent its voice to the calls on Wednesday noting that a restriction on movement is in the country’s best interest.

“The Lockdown though not a comfortable decision for leadership and citizens alike is a proven option backed by science and along with the other measures will ultimately be in our best interest,” the GMA said in a press statement.

The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, had said the government was considering all available options.

“All options are on the table. Government continues to receive advice which is subjected to analysis by experts. The decision to lockdown is not one that is taken lightly or because we’ve seen other persons doing it. Experts continue to provide advice to decision-makers,” he said at a Press Briefing on Tuesday.

Ghana’s coronavirus case count has risen to from 27 to 52. This was disclosed by the country’s Minister for Health, Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, at a press briefing Tuesday morning.

The 25 new cases were confirmed after respiratory residue samples taken from travellers who have been mandatorily quarantined tested positive. 

According to Mr Agyemang-Manu, 1030 travellers had been mandatorily quarantined since Sunday. Out of the number, residue samples have been taken from 611. After completing testing on 185, about 14 per cent, 25, tested positive.

“Out of the 185 test results received, we have 25 of those quarantined tested positive. If we add on to the earlier number of 27, it means we have 52 people testing positive in our country at the moment,” Mr Agyemang-Manu said.

The Minister for Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, said testing is still ongoing for travellers who have been quarantined.

Ghana’s index cases of the novel coronavirus, Covid-19, was announced on March 12, 2020. Subsequent to that, two deaths have been recorded. 

Mandatory Quarantine and Border closure

Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had on Saturday, March 21, 2020, directed a total closure of all its borders to human traffic with effect from Sunday, March 22, 2020. The president said the move was to aid prevent the spread of the Covid-19.

“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,” he said.

Travellers who arrive before the directive took effect were to undergo mandatory quarantine and Covid-19 testing.

With effect midnight Sunday, March 22, 2020, Ghana will close all its borders to human traffic. The closure, however, will not apply to goods, supplies and cargo. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a televised address on Saturday disclosed that the move is to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus, Covid-19.

“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,” he said.

All travellers arriving in the country before midnight on Sunday will be required to undergo mandatory quarantine and Covid-19 testing.

“Anybody who comes into the country before on Sunday will be mandatorily quarantined and tested for the virus,” President Nana Akufo-Addo added.

Ghana’s Minister for Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, had earlier disclosed that travellers from high-risk countries with more than 200 cases of the Covid-19 would not be allowed into the country. The only exceptions were Ghanaian citizens and persons with Ghana residence permits.

Confirmed cases

Ghana’s index cases of the coronavirus were announced on March 12. 

Twenty-one cases have been confirmed as at 21:15 GMT March 21. One death was announced by the president in his address. Existing cases are therefore currently 20.

“Unfortunately one person who tested positive for the virus, but had serious underlying health complications, passed away in the early hours of today,” President Akufo-Addo said.

He said all the others are responding to treatment. Eight of them are being managed from their homes in isolation.

Ghana has confirmed four more cases of the COVID-19. This was announced by the Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr Badu Sarkodie at a press briefing on Sunday, March 15, 2020.

“This brings to a total of six confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ghana, there are no deaths and this is the situation as at March 14, 2020. All the 6 cases were imported into Ghana,” Dr Sarkodie said.

The new cases include a female student of the University of Ghana who had returned from the United States of America.

The first two index cases, imported from Norway and Turkey, were announced on Thursday, March 12, 2020. 

Travel To Ghana Discouraged

The Minister for Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, at the press briefing disclosed that travellers from countries with over 200 COVID-19 cases will not be allowed into the country.

“All travel to Ghana is strongly discouraged until further notice. Any traveller, except for Ghanaian citizens and persons with Ghana residence permits, who within the last 14 days, has been to a country that has recorded at least 200 cases of COVID-19, will not be admitted into the Ghanaian jurisdiction. Airlines are instructed not to allow such persons to embark. Border posts are instructed not to allow such persons into the jurisdiction,” he said.

Persons who are otherwise allowed into the country will be mandated to self-quarantine for 14 days.

“There will be a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for persons who are otherwise allowed to enter the Ghanaian jurisdiction,” the minister said.

COVID-19 Dedicated Website 

Mr Nkrumah announced a dedicated website to update the public on the outbreak. The website will be updated every six hours to keep Ghanaians informed.

Uber Services in Suspended in Accra until further notice – Viral WhatsApp Message.

Uber Services are still available in Accra and other parts of the country. 

Full text

The Director of Public Health, Ghana Health Service, Dr Badu Sarkodie in a press briefing on Sunday, March 15, 2020, announced that the number of Covid-19 cases has increased to six. Later that evening, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo addressed the nation on measures taken to control the spread of the virus. They include the Ministry of Transport working with transport unions and public and private transport operations to ensure enhanced hygienic conditions in all cars and terminals.

On the same day, a message started circulating on WhatsApp stating that Uber services have been suspended in Accra until further notice. It purports to be a press release from the Uber Drivers Association. The message titled “UBER SERVICES SUSPENDED IN ACCRA UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE” was signed by Alex Joy Vifa who was noted as the Secretary for the association. A contact number, 0550359901, was included in the message.

According to the message, the decision to suspend Uber services in Accra was taken due to the spread of the coronavirus in Accra.

“This decision was taken due the spread of the deadly Coronavirus (COVID 19) in Accra. As at Sunday, 15th March 2020, Ghana has recorded 4 new cases of Coronavirus. In that regard, a total of 6 cases have been recorded so far,” the release said.

“Our services that we render to our riders in Ghana always expose us to the deadly disease. It is also a fact that we are not adequately prepared to detect, manage and prevent the spread of the disease. All these make drivers and riders vulnerable and susceptible to the COVID 19. We will put our lives and that of riders in danger when we continue our services,” it continued.

News portals such as bbcghana.com have proceeded to make news articles based on the viral message, with a headline stating that Uber services have been suspended in Accra.

Verification

Dubawa could not speak to Alex Joy Vifa of the Uber Drivers Association for verification as the number advertised in the release is incorrect.

The Country Manager for Uber Ghana, Ms Jessica Poku, has, however, in a thread on Twitter clarified that the viral message circulating is incorrect. She said the Uber application has not been suspended. It is still available throughout Ghana and is operating normally.

Ms Poku also noted that the nature of Uber services allows drivers to form associations. Therefore, the message could be from a group of drivers who have decided to withhold their services.

“This could be, for example, a group of 5 drivers who take a decision not to drive, and draft a message to send out. The application has not been suspended and is operating as normal at this time. You may open the app at any time to confirm same”

Ms Poku

This was again confirmed to Dubawa by an officer at the Uber Support Centre, Mr Hamand Khan. 

“In Ghana, the services are not suspended at all. Riders are sending requests for Uber and our partners are accepting the Uber ride,” Khan said.

Mr Khan added that plans of suspension of services if any would be communicated to riders either through email or through a suspension notice in their Uber app.

“If there is any plan of suspension of Uber in Accra, clients will receive an email or will see a suspension notification in their uber app directly. So if you receive any forwarded message from any third party, I will recommend you to contact us and verify that the information is from us,” Khan said. 

Mr Nathan Akoto of Hailing Apps, an app which has drivers from Bolt, Uber and Yango on their platform says their drivers are working.

“As far as we are concerned we’ve not had any corroboration. We tried the numbers that were put out there but none of them went through. But our drivers are working. You can just try ordering it and you will see for yourself.” Akoto said.

Dubawa also spoke to Mr Mark Agyei, an Uber driver in Accra who said they are currently working and have received no directives from their association to suspend services in the national capital.

Ghanaian authorities confirmed two cases of the COVID-19, Thursday evening at a press briefing. Ghana’s Minister for Health, Mr Kwasi Agyemang-Manu led the charge.

These two instances are the first cases of the COVID-19 to test positive in Ghana; we recall some 57 suspected cases previously tested, proved negative.

Noguchi Memorial Institute received laboratory results of the two confirmed cases. It is also important to note that these instances are not homegrown. Both individuals returned to Ghana from Norway and Turkey respectively.

“Both individuals returned to Ghana from Norway and Turkey. So these are imported cases of COVID-19”

Mr Agyemang-Manu

Meanwhile, the minister assured Ghanaians that the government is working with all health partners to ensure the situation is contained; stating that both victims of the virus were stable and under quarantine. Also, he added that health stakeholders are tracing persons who may have come into contact with the two cases.

“I wish to assure all Ghanaians that the Government of Ghana together with all Health Partners will continue to work assiduously to ensure the situation is contained. Both patients are currently being kept in isolation and are stable. We have initiated processes for contact tracing”

a statement from the Ministry of Health said

On Wednesday evening, President Akufo-Addo addressed concerns regarding the outbreak. He assured Ghanaians that the country was ready in the eventuality of an outbreak. He further indicated the government had directed the release of the cedi equivalent of $100 million to boost the nation’s preparedness and response to the COVID-19.

“At my prompting, the Minister for Finance has made available the cedi equivalent of $100 million to enhance our coronavirus preparedness and response plan”

President Akufo-Addo

Preventive measures

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says there is currently no vaccine, drug or treatment for the disease.

“To date, there is no vaccine and no specific antiviral medicine to prevent or treat COVID-2019”
“Possible vaccines and some specific drug treatments are under investigation. They are being tested through clinical trials. WHO is coordinating efforts to develop vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat COVID-19”

Hence, no evidence suggests that garlic, baking soda, chloroquine, amongst others can cure the coronavirus. The WHO, however, says some of these remedies may provide comfort and alleviate COVID-19 symptoms. 

To protect yourself from contracting the disease, practice simple precautionary measures. Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, follow good respiratory hygiene and avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth.

News outlets claim Nigeria has copied Ghana’s successful #Yearofreturn initiative and has produced the “Door of Return” program.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has disassociated itself from the claim with respect to the policy document in circulation. However, the Door of Return Program has been in existence since 2017. 

Full Text

Nigeria is being trolled by social media users in Ghana for allegedly planning its own version of Ghana’s Year of Return. This follows viral images suggesting the country intends to launch an initiative dubbed “Door of Return – Nigeria 2020” later this year.

News portals in Ghana have published reports of the purported launch.

Verification

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), which the policy document mentions as in charge of the program, has disassociated itself from the claim. According to a disclaimer issued by the NIDCOM via its Twitter handle, the policy document in circulation is not from the agency or anyone acting on its behalf. Neither NIDCOM nor the Federal Government of Nigeria is involved in any such program.

Nigeria, however, has a Door of Return Program that has existed since 2017. NIDCOM, the Lagos State Government, the African Door of Experience and the African Renaissance Foundation are responsible for this initiative. The most recent, the 2019 edition, took place from October 15-20 in Badagry, Lagos.

NIDCOM also stated its support for other African countries adopting this initiative; further dissuading any insinuations to a competition between Ghana. It rather commended Ghana’s efforts.

#YearofReturn

The government of Ghana’s ‘Year of Return’ campaign has seen significant success having added $1.9 million to Ghana’s economy. The Ghanian President launched the campaign in September 2018 to commemorate 400 years since the first batch of Africans were abducted from their homeland.

Conclusion

Although a Door of Return Program has been organised by NIDCOM, the Lagos State Government, the African Door of Experience and the African Renaissance Foundation since 2017, the document in circulation is not from the agency. More so, the Door of Return Program began a year prior to the Year of Return initiative; hence, it stands to reason that the former could not be imitating the latter as insinuated by the claim- which was misled by false advertisement NIDCOM has refuted.

A number of blogs claimed that the Ghana Revenue Authority lost GHc 147 million cash in Head Office Annex fire.

No cash was lost to the fire, according to the GRA. Also, the story was originally published as a satire but was reported by other platforms without a caveat. 

Full Text

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) lost GHc 147 million cash in the fire that ravaged its Head Office Annex at Circle in Accra. This claim was made by websites and blogging portals following Sunday morning’s fire.

It took a joint force from the Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces at least six hours to douse the fire.

Verification

Our checks show that the claim was first published by News@7, a ‘satirical website’. It was rated a satire by the website. However, it appears other platforms and sites which carried and reported it almost verbatim missed the satire rating.  

The GRA has also denied the claim.

“No loss of life, cash or cheques was recorded,” it said in a press statement.