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President Akufo-Addo has announced that his Government will this year be constructing Eighty-eight (88) hospitals in the districts across as part of measures at combating the deadly Coronavirus Pandemic. According to him, the hospitals when completed will each be equipped with one hundred bed hospital, with accommodation for doctors, nurses, and other health workers. In his 8th address to the nation on measures taken against the spread of Coronavirus, President Akufo-Addo said “There are eighty-eight (88) districts in our country without district hospitals; we have six (6) new regions without regional hospitals; we do not have 5 infectious disease control centres dotted across the country, and we do not have enough testing and isolation centres for diseases like COVD-19. We must do something urgently about this. That is why Government has decided to undertake a major investment in our healthcare infrastructure, the largest in our history. We will, this year, begin constructing eighty-eight (88) hospitals in the districts without hospitals” Explaining the breakdown of the 88 hospitals across the country, President Akufo-Addo disclosed that Ten (10) will be situated in the Ashanti, Nine (9) in Volta, Nine (9) in Central, Eight (8) in Eastern, Seven (7) in Greater Accra. He further added that Seven (7) will be in the Upper East, Five (5) in Northern, Five (5) in Oti, Five (5) in Upper West, Five (5) in Bono, Four (4) in Western North, Four (4) in Western, Three (3) in Ahafo, Three (3) in Savannah, Two (2) in Bono East, and Two (2) in North East Regions. President Akufo-Addo also noted that his Government has also put in place plans for the construction of six (6) new regional hospitals in the six (6) new regions, and the rehabilitation of the EffiaNkwanta Hospital, in Sekondi, which is the regional hospital of the Western Region. “We are going to beef up our existing laboratories and establish new ones across every region for testing. We will establish three (3) infectious disease control centres for each of the zones of our country, i.e. Coastal, Middle Belt, and Northern, with the overall objective of setting up a Ghana Centre for Disease Control” he noted. President Akufo-Addo hinted that the recent, tragic CSM outbreak, with over forty (40) deaths, has reaffirmed the need for ready access to such infectious disease control centres, even though, in our time, nobody should die of the disease. He appealed to Ghanaians to make early reporting a requirement adding that the citizenry must do well to heed this call. President Akufo-Addo also explained that Government is bent on making such investments in the healthcare system not because it is going to be easy, but because it is self-evidently necessary to serve the needs of 21st century Ghana. He said “The three (3) Development Authorities, the Zongo Development Fund, and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies will be tasked to place health infrastructure amongst their highest priorities in the coming years” Speaking on the strict measures at the various borders in the country, President Akufo-Addo warned unpatriotic citizens to refrain from their unacceptable behaviours and activities. “We cannot continue to allow a few persons, who are motivated by their own selfish, money-making interests, to endanger the lives of the rest of the population. Not only will persons who enter our country illegally be strictly dealt with, but so will Ghanaians who facilitate their entry” he said. He reminded citizens that being a Ghanaian must mean that we look out for each other adding that just as the virus has disrupted our daily lives, it has also exposed the deficiencies of our healthcare system, because of years of under-investment and neglect. He further explained that whilst maternal, new-born, adolescent health and nutrition remain Government’s top priorities, it will pay much attention to chronic, noncommunicable diseases such as heart diseases, diabetes, and asthma, which have proved to be the common risk factors for the eleven (11) deaths we have recorded from the virus. He highlighted that it also important to address mental health issues, and the crucial role of emergency services, to which new fleet of ambulances and drones are responding. He said “We must emphasise preventive and promotive aspects of health, in addition to care for the sick. The virus has also revealed the unequal distribution of healthcare facilities, as we have tended to focus our infrastructure on Accra and one or two of our other big cities. But, as we have seen, epidemics and pandemics, when they emerge, can spread to any part of our country” President Akufo-Addo says he is confident that the country will succeed in its fight against the deadly Coronavirus Pandemic. Story by Joshua Kwabena Smith

As part of measures at combating the deadly Coronavirus pandemic in the country, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has made its 4th donation of Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) to the Ghana Tourism Federation and its Industry players. According to the Ministry, the move forms part of its social and cooperate responsibility adding that it is confident, the PPEs whern distributed will help serve its intended purpose. Presenting the PPEs, Hon. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi said "Today's donation was made to four trade associations under GHATOF (ie Traditional Caterers, Indigenous Caterers, Ghana National Association of Drinking Bars (GHABOA) and National Drinking Bar Association (NADBOA)" The Minister disclosed that items donated included 2000 pieces of veronica buckets, 2000 bowls, 24 boxes of hand sanitisers, 80 boxes of nose masks. She also added that 10,000 pieces of hand gloves, 32 boxes of liquid soaps, 160 packs of tissue paper were part of items distributed. Receiving the items, the leadership of GHATOF expressed their gratitude for the gesture assuring the Ministry of good use of the items. Leadership of GHATOF hinted that it will do what it takes to ensure that the appropriate personnel are provided with the PPEs to ensure their safety. The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barbara Oteng-Gyasi pleaded with the Industry players in the Tourism Sector to adhere strictly to the the directive given by President Akufo-Addo. In other developments, a Joint Committee of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) on COVID-19 have presented its report to the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. The Committee set up by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GTA, Akwasi Agyeman was assigned to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. The Committee which was set is also expected to recommend ways to improve the industry against attacks on its activities by the COVID-19. The Joint Committee was chaired by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in charge of Operations, Ekow Sampson. Its members include; President of GHATOF, Madam Bella Ahu, Managing Director, ApstarsTours, Mrs Stella Appenteng, Mrs Roberta Dawson-Amoah, Mrs Betty Kobi, Mr Ben Anane Nsiah and Mr Spencer Doku, all of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA). Other members also include; President of Ghana Hotels Association (GHA), Dr. Edward Ackah- Nyamike Jnr, President of Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA), Kwesi Eyison and Executive Secretary, GHATOF, Emmanuel Frimpong. Story by Joshua Kwabena Smith

The father unleashes ultimate anger on his sons after paying $21,000 tuition only for them to fail woefully in exams, and also failing to write their Maths and English exams. Was he right to “discipline” his son this way? Was he right to “discipline” his son this way?

Ghanaians have been warned to adhere to the strict measures put in place by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the government to stop the spread of the COVID-19 or face a total lockdown and curfew. According to Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah if people do not adhere to social distancing, use hand sanitizers and wear the face mask then the government will have no option than to introduce a more draconian measure in the movement of people. He opined that if the government observes an increase in the cases of infected persons, a total lockdown, and a curfew will be imposed as the President outlined in his address. “If we continue adhering to the other measures, we don’t expect a spike of infections. The 14 other regions where there was no lockdown, we didn’t see any spike, but if people keep being stubborn, and there is a spike, a lockdown and a curfew will be imposed so Ghanaians should get themselves prepared,” he said on Peace FM. The minister’s caution comes on the back of large numbers of people flooding the markets and town on Monday, April 20 after President Akufo-Addo lifted the three-week partial lockdown that was imposed on Accra, Kumasi, Tema, and Kasoa. A report revealed that most of the people who throng the markets after the lockdown was lifted are neither observing the social distancing rule nor wearing masks as directed by the President. Ghana’s last update on COVID-19 indicates that the country has recorded 1,024 positive cases, 9 deaths, and 99 recoveries so far. SourceThebbcghana.com

The president of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, has officially launched a local herbal remedy he claims can prevent and cure coronavirus in seven days. The beverage, called COVID-Organics and developed by the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research (IMRA), contains Artemisia, a plant used to treat malaria. “Tests have been carried out – two people have now been cured by this treatment,” Rajoelina told ministers, diplomats and the media at the IMRA on Monday. “This herbal tea gives results in seven days,” he said. Drinking a bottle of COVID-Organics, he said: “I will be the first to drink this today, in front of you, to show you that this product cures and does not kill.” As the novel coronavirus spreads, people have been positive about how home remedies have helped them recover even though the World Health Organisation has said that there is no cure for the deadly virus. “While some western, traditional or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of COVID-19, there is no evidence that current medicine can prevent or cure the disease,” according to the organization’s website. “WHO does not recommend self-medication with any medicines, including antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for COVID-19.” The AFP reports that the safety and effectiveness of Madagascar’s local herbal remedy “have not been assessed internationally, nor has any data from trials been published in peer-reviewed studies.” But the president of the large Indian Ocean island is sure of its effectiveness, adding that the drink would be given to schoolchildren. “The COVID-Organics will be distributed free of charge to our most vulnerable compatriots and sold at very low prices to others. All profits will be donated to IMRA to finance scientific research,” the president wrote on Twitter. “COVID-Organics will be used as prophylaxis, that is for prevention, but clinical observations have shown a trend towards its effectiveness in curative treatment,” said Dr. Charles Andrianjara, the director general of IMRA. Madagascar has so far recorded 121 cases of coronavirus with no deaths. As people hold talks about taking a chance with traditional medicine that is not proven, the government of Zimbabwe is already allowing herbalists to treat patients with the deadly virus. “Traditional medicine practice is older … than science and it is accepted by the majority of Zimbabweans,” said Tribert Chishanyu, president of Zimbabwe Traditional Practitioners Association. “If modern scientists are given opportunities to try whenever there is an emergency disease (outbreak), why can’t we do the same to traditional medicine practice? We are treating symptoms related to COVID-19, so by (some) chance we may be able to treat COVID-19.” Source: face2faceafrica.com

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has lifted restrictions imposed on the movement of persons within some parts of Greater Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Greater Kumasi. This decision, the President indicates that is to give government the opportunity to try to contain the spread of the virus, scale-up effectively the tracing of persons who had come into contact with infected persons, test them for the virus, and quarantine those who tested positive and isolate them for treatment. This was announced by President during his live televised address to the nation today, Sunday, April 19, 2020. Although the lifting of the restrictions may come as a reprieve to the many whose livelihoods may have been hit hard following the imposition, access to some major sectors remains restricted. Four major cities, Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Kasoa, had been placed under a three-week lockdown purposely to hold the spread of the Novel Coronavirus. The initial two-week restrictions imposed on these areas saw a further seven days extension as the nation waited for test results from some 14,000 samples taken, the President stated in his last address to the nation. The country’s borders remain closed. Meanwhile, the ban on social gatherings, including religious gatherings, schools, as well as the strict adherence social distancing protocol, remain in place. Source : Ghanaweb

Ghana’s Coronavirus cases have increased 1,042. This was announced by President Akufo-Addo during his seventh address to the nation on the outbreak today, Sunday, April 19, 2020. “Since the first two (2) cases of infections were recorded on our shores, we have, till date, traced some eighty-six thousand (86,000) contacts, out of which we have test results of sixty-eight thousand, five hundred and ninety-one (68,591) contacts. There is, thus, a backlog of some eighteen thousand (18,000) tests whose results are yet to be received.” “The overwhelming majority of these contacts have been established in the last three weeks of the partial lockdown in Accra and Kumasi. Out of this number, one thousand and forty-two (1,042) persons, i.e. 1.5%, have been confirmed as positive, with sixty seven thousand, five hundred and forty-nine (67,549), 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,” he added. Lockdown of Accra, Kumasi lifted; ban on gatherings still in force President Nana Akufo-Addo has however lifted the partial lockdown on some parts of the country. The president said the ease of restrictions was “in view of our ability to undertake aggressive contact tracing of infected persons” among others. source: citinewsrooom.com

Source: Adomonline.com Singer Becca has taken time to digest issues concerning her single ‘No One’ which she released about three months ago. Speaking in an interview, with Abeiku Santana, the songstress said she could not comprehend critics chastising her amid claims that she sampled South African singer, Sho Madjozi’s, ‘John Cena’ song. Although there are similarities between John Cena and No One, Becca said it was because she was trying a genre of music called Gqom. She explained that it is an electronic dance music that emerged in the early 2010 from Durban, South Africa. The ‘African Woman’ singer said people didn’t even know the relationship she had with Sho Madjozi yet, they went ahead to make assumptions. “So Madjozi owns the song and she hasn’t come out to say anything? In this virtual world? It’s been three months since I released the song. “There are different genres of music. In South Africa, there are many beats there. I chose to do Gqom beats. If you listen to the two songs, they all sound alike. If we play 10 Gqom beats, you will be wondering if they are all the same song,” she said on Okay FM. Becca disclosed that when people were bashing her in Ghana, the song was trending at number two in South Africa. Asked why she didn’t come out to address critics earlier, she said, “if there was the need for me to educate, they could have let me. There were too many enemies pushing the agenda. God has ways of doing it; the melodies and beats may sound alike just like the way shirts can look similar.”

The C.E.O of Burniton Music Group, Livingston Etse Satekla, popularly known in the music industry as Stonebwoy, a.k.a 1Gad. Best International Act: Africa Category at the 2015 BET and Artist of the Year at the 2015 Ghana Music Awards , is set to release his new album “Anloga Junction”which most Ghanaians and his loyal fans antedates . Anloga Junction is his new album which is nearly 3 years after his censorious acclaimed work “Epistle Of Mama”. Although the 2017 is tenable one of his best works, 1Gad is hoping to make a bigger resurgence with his new album “Anloga Junction”. The Dancehall artist, Stonebwoy collaborated with Jamaican artist Jahmiel with a song Titled “Mama”, American singer Keri Hilson with “Nominate”, Nigerian Afrobeat Artist Zlatan with a song “Critical”, South African Rapper , Nasty C with a song “Bow Down”, Sensational Singer Kojo Antwi(Mr. Music Man) with “Akyekyedie Nante3,” East Africa’s Diamond Platnumz with “Black Madonna”, Dutch Singer Chivv with “Good Morning “, Fast Rising Artist Alicai Harley with “Understanding”. The C.E.O. Of Burniton Music Group and BET award winner , prior to the release of the “Anloga Junction “ album had dropped some of the songs and is making waves . The others is set to be released on April 24th , 2020. ;Friday). The Singles on the project comes pairs with the new music video directed by video directors across the country and worldwide.Pre-order Anloga Junction album here:kv-online-talent.lnk.to/AJPRE

The coronavirus pandemic has now infected more than two million people worldwide, the latest figures revealed today. According to official sources, as of Wednesday, 8th April, 2020 morning, there has been at least 2,004,670 cases of the pandemic. Experts are of the view that, the true figures are much higher due to the fact that, many people not tested due to mild symptoms and shortages in test kits. The death toll of infected persons keeps increasing with more than half of them in Europe with at least 130,680 deaths. The United States has the largest number of cases in the world with more than 600,000 confirmed cases and nearly 30,000 deaths followed by Spain and Italy with confirmed cases and followed by Italy and Spain with number of deaths. According to WHO figures, there has been around 153,000 cases on March 15 but the figures has increased to 751,000 by March 31. On April 2, the global tally passed one million and has doubled in the space of two weeks. The pandemic has forced affected countries to put in place drastic lockdown measures to control the pandemic with schools, shops, restaurants and sports events been closed down. These measures are to halt the spread of the virus with Olympic games postponed for the first time since World War II. The crisis has caused economic standstill with business been closed down. There are growing fears over the outbreak in developing countries when even developed countries are overwhelmed by the crisis despite their advanced health systems. Many countries are been faced with shortage of protective equipment, leaving medical personnel exposed to the virus and taking them out when needed. The outbreak began late in 2019 in China, Wuhan. Symptoms associated with the virus include, fever, consistent cough, running nose and pneumonia.

The American president, Donald Trump stunned the world leaders and the health experts on Tuesday, when he was pulling up funding to the WHO, in the middle of the global novel Corona virus pandemic. He had warned that he was going to do so last week, accusing the WHO of mismanaging the spread of the CODVID-19. Of not taking a hasty decision on investigating the virus when it first emerged in China in 2019. Antonio Guterres, the secretary General of the United Nation, which is the WHO parents organisation has described the pandemic as unprecedented in a statement on Tuesday, and acknowledged the fact that there would a lessons learned on future outbreaks. “once we close the chapter of this epidemic, there must be a time to go back and look at how this diseases emerge and spreads it devastation globally, and how those involved react to crisis” He continued to say, “ but now is not the time to reduce resources for the operation of the world health organization or any other humanitarian units in the fight against this virus. urging for togetherness in the face of a pandemic the has taken many lives globally.

Richard Hudson, CEO, First National Bank Ghana First National Bank Ghana Limited is introducing a raft of relief packages to help both individual and corporate customers against the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Long before the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Ghana, many analysts had predicted that the pandemic would adversely impact Ghanaian businesses and therefore, individual incomes and the overall national economy,” says Richard Hudson, CEO of First National Bank Ghana. “We appreciate that in these tough times, we need to stand together with our customers by offering them the #RealHelp they need to make it through these tough economic times.” Under the #RealHelp initiative, First National Bank Ghana Limited is offering at least a 2% interest rate cut on loans to all existing customers from 01 April 2020 for the tenor of all Ghana-cedi denominated loan facilities. To clarify further, Richard Hudson explained that all cedi denominated loans at First National Bank Ghana Limited are linked to the Ghana Reference Rate (GRR) which is published monthly on the first Wednesday of every month. Loans to customers are quoted at the GRR plus a margin. With the recently announced drop in the MPC rate, the GRR dropped by 1.20% and the bank then slashed its margin by a further 1% across all cedi related loans, bringing the total reduction to 2.20%. Customers have also been given an option to apply for repayment holidays, where a temporary moratorium will be placed on the loan repayments for up to six months. This is expected to give customers some leeway to reorganise their finances which may be negatively affected by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Customers can apply for the repayment holiday on the First National Bank app or by using the quick code *877# on its cell phone banking platform. “The entire process has been digitized so there’s absolutely no paperwork and that also means response times will be faster,” Mr. Hudson says. “We believe these interventions will assist customers who have demonstrated sound banking behaviour, such as consistently honouring their repayments to the bank before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Head, Marketing and Corporate Affairs at First National Bank Ghana, Delali Dzidzienyo adds: “With these initiatives, we want to consolidate our position as the most helpful bank in Ghana. We are offering our customers a real helping hand in a very difficult time as many businesses will not perform as well as they had hoped this year; and many individuals will not earn the monthly incomes that they normally expect. The #RealHelp we are offering is not a one-size-fits-all solution but is tailored to each customer’s unique situation which ensures that we give them the necessary help they that need in this particular circumstance.” Richard Hudson, CEO, First National Bank Ghana