President Nana Akufo-Addo
Ghana has shut its borders to human traffic as the government tightens measures to curb the importation of the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and ultimately contain the viral infection that has so far claimed one life in the country.
In an address to the nation on Saturday night, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced the new measures which included the closure of all land, air and sea boarders to human traffic starting midnight on March 22.
He also announced a two-week mandatory quarantine for all those arriving in the country from outside.
“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” and that “anybody who comes into the country, before midnight on Sunday will be mandatorily quarantined and tested for the virus,” the President said.
The directive, however, does not apply to goods, supplies and cargo.
Contact Tracing
The President also directed the Ministry of Health (MoH) to step up its contact tracing efforts and ensure all persons who have had close contact with infected persons are tested for the virus.
President Akufo-Addo, in his announcement, expressed concern about the increase in the number of imported cases of COVID-19.
The President said there would be a constant review of the measures announced and, if necessary, enhanced.
Lockdown Scare
Even before the President addressed the country, wild rumours on social media suggested that he was going to announce a lockdown in Accra.
But the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, debunked the lockdown claims on social media when he tweeted that “@NAkufoAddo has just concluded amtgof the Covid-19 response ctee. H. E will address the nation tonight with latest updates and measures. But no he will not be announcing a lockdown so don’t panic (Sic),” he tweeted.
Arrivals Quarantined
The mandatory quarantine order came into effect at midnight Saturday to Sunday as immigration officials began the implementation of the President’s order.
Passengers who came on various airlines such as Ethiopian Airline, Air Cote d’Ivoire, African World Airlines, among others, were picked up at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and taken to an isolated place for quarantine.
One of the travellers, who spoke with DAILY GUIDE, said she arrived on Saturday in Ghana and was sent into quarantine after going through checks at the KIA.
She said she, together with other passengers, was asked to board Ghana Armed Forces and Ghana Police buses to begin 14-day quarantine.
More PPE
The President has given an assurance that more Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) are being procured to beef up supplies for the country’s frontline health workers.
“Fifty thousand additional test kits have been ordered, and are expected in the country soon,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo further stated that new and retired healthcare professionals are being engagedto augment Ghana’s preparedness in dealing with a possible surge in new infections.
He described as heartening the number of retired healthcare professionals who have stepped forward to offer their services.
He also applauded Ghanaian entrepreneurs who have responded to the crisis by producing greater quantities of sanitizers and ‘Veronica buckets’ and reiterated his appeal to the pharmaceutical industry to scale up their domestic production of pharmaceutical products, with a promise that “government will do its best to support them.”
Passionate Appeal
The President reiterated his earlier appeal for Ghanaians to stop shaking hands.
“Fellow Ghanaians, the cases of localized infections require that we maintain strict self-discipline, and continue to practise prescribed social distancing and enhanced hygiene protocols in all aspects of our daily lives.”
“We must wash our hands regularly, use alcohol-based sanitizers, stop shaking hands, and avoid unnecessary close body contact… I am pleading with each and every one of you, comply with these measures,” saying “our survival is in our own hands.”
According to the President, “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.”
Fasting & Prayer
Whilst he charged Ghanaians to continue adhering to the measures, and ramp up their efforts to defeat this virus, the President urged all to “seek the face of the Almighty.”
He appealed that on March 25, all Ghanaians, Christians and Muslim should observe a national day of fasting and prayer, saying “let us pray to God to protect our nation and save us from this pandemic.”
Assurance
Even though he admitted “there are obvious difficulties ahead of us”, Nana Akufo-Addo asked that “we should all brace ourselves to face them” with the promise, “I will be transparent with you, and not shirk from sharing with you the realities of our situation.”
“I am determined to take whatever steps are necessary to safeguard our society, our economy and our future”, were his exact words, adding “I remain confident that together and by the Grace of God, we shall overcome. This, too, will pass.”
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent