Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has extended the closure of Ghana’s borders for one more month until June as part of the broader measures to fight the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
The closure of the borders including land, air and sea for one more month is taking effect from May 4, but it excludes the movement of goods and essential services.
Addressing workers during the May Day celebration yesterday albeit via television due to the Covid-19 situation, the President said, “With the suspension of all public gatherings still in force and our schools still closed, government has taken the decision to extend further the closure of borders for a month effective 1 am of 4th May until Sunday, the 31st of May, 2020.”
The virtual television programme was organized by Ghana Television in collaboration with organized labour.
“We know that the overwhelming majority of positive cases came from travellers or contacts of travellers, so we have no option than to keep our borders closed until we are confident that we have put in place measures to prevent travellers from importing the virus,” he added.
The President said, “All that the government is doing is intended to achieve five 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 capabilities and deepen our self-reliance.”
“These restrictions cannot and will not be a permanent feature of our lives but they are for now essential for our survival,” the President said.
He saluted Ghanaian workers for their selfless contributions towards national development, saying, “We recognize and appreciate the efforts and sacrifices they have made towards the construction of the happy and prosperous Ghana we seek, and, on this day, I say Ayekoo to each one of you.”
Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia also took to social media to commend Ghanaian workers highly for their sacrifices and patriotic contributions for the country.
“On the occasion of Workers’ Day, I congratulate Ghanaian workers for their hard work and patriotic contributions towards the development of our country. God bless our workers. God bless our homeland Ghana,” the Vice-President said on Facebook.