President Nana Akufo-Addo
Government has strengthened the capacities of existing health facilities in the country to address possible surge in Covid-19 numbers.
This was disclosed by the President in his address to the nation last Sunday evening during which he announced the reopening of churches, mosques and schools with limited numbers—not more than 100 people at a religious gathering at a time and not more than 30 when it came to schools—with strict compliance with social distancing protocol.
“There exists the possibility of a potential surge in infections,” he noted and added that “as a precautionary measure, we have strengthened further our existing national, regional and district response teams with the support of the security forces to step up to deal with any eventuality.”
That, he said, was because “over recent weeks, we have learnt from the cases at the fish processing plant in Tema and in the Obuasi Municipality how to deal with such sudden spikes.”
To that end, he indicated that “we will continue to learn, review and adjust where and when we need to do so. We will only proceed with this staggered opening up of our country when it is safe to do so.”
For now more than ever, the President insisted “we must adhere to enhanced personal hygiene and social distancing protocols, wash our hands with soap under running water, refrain from shaking hands and wear our masks whenever we leave our homes.”
Considering the fact that in the Ghanaian context, it has been established that the cases of underlying health conditions that are associated with almost all the Covid-related deaths are mainly diabetes and hypertension; he identified the risk factors for these diseases as being overweight, eating refined foods, too much salt and sugar in meals, inadequate physical exercise, excessive alcohol intake and smoking.
For him, “It is, thus, crucial that we improve our fitness levels and adopt healthy eating practices that incorporate our local food stuff which boost our immune system,” adding that “persons with these diseases must take extra precautions and take their treatment seriously.
He has, since by Executive Instrument, provided for some new directions and extended the suspension of the remaining public gatherings, as set out in E.I. 64 of March 15 until July 31, with reference 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.
Apart from that the country’s neighbouring borders, others including air, land and sea, remain closed until further notice for human traffic.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent