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Ten new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Upper East Region. This brings the total number of cases in the region to 18. Out of the 18 cases, five were confirmed in the Bolga Municipality. These cases were confirmed after the contacts of a confirmed case were traced in the same municipality. This was confirmed in a letter from the Upper East Regional Health Directorate addressed to the Regional Minister and sighted by citinewsroom.com. At the national level, Ghana’s COVID-19 cases stand at 1,550. While 11 deaths have been recorded, 155 people have recovered from the disease. President Nana Akufo-Addo has announced the construction of hospitals in some 88 Districts across the country to boost the country’s healthcare delivery system in the wake of COVID-19. These hospitals are expected to augment the country’s testing and isolation centres for diseases like COVD-19. Source: Citinewsroom.com

President Akufo-Addo says he will soon announce an end to restrictions imposed on the public to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. However, that will happen after the modalities for which the restrictions were imposed have been followed satisfactorily by the public. These include the guidelines for maintaining proper hygiene practices in addition to the use of hand sanitiser and social distancing. Addressing the nation in a televised broadcast Sunday, April 26, President Akufo-Addo hinted these remaining sanctions may soon come to an end. “I shall be outlining, shortly, the path for bringing the restrictive measures, systematically, to an end, and defining the basket of measures for the revival and growth of our national economy. We have to own our future,” he stated. Last week, the President lifted a three-week restriction imposed on the movements of people in four major cities- Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Kumasi- which he said, enabled health authorities to scale up tracing and testing of persons who may have come into contact with those who had already tested positive. However, other restrictions, such as border closure, the ban on social gatherings, including religious gatherings, funerals, conferences and parties, remain in force. He commended organisations and individuals who have responded to the call to donate to the Covid-19 National Trust Fund as well as institutions leading the fight against the deadly vidurs. “…the unfettered assistance Ghanaians have given to each other, the help you have offered to those in need, the generosity of your contributions to the Covid-19 National Trust Fund, and the support and understanding you have given to the difficult measures Government has had to undertake,” he added. Ghana’s Covid-19 Situation As Of Now Ghana, as of Sunday, had recorded 1,550 cases of the Covid-19 with 155 recoveries while some 11 persons failed to win the battle with the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus. According to Health Service’s latest update, Greater Accra remained the epicenter with 1,347 cases followed by the Ashanti and Eastern regions which have recorded 69 and 57 cases, respectively. The Western and Western North are regions with the least cases recording one each. Meanwhile, four regions are yet to record cases of the Covid-19. These are Savanna, Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions, the Service indicated in its latest update. Source: Myjoyonline

Lady Gee Foundation, a non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has donated some items to the residents in the Ningo Prampram community in the Greater Accra Region. According to the foundation, the move forms parts of its corporate and social responsibilities adding that it is ensuring that residents in the community do not contract the deadly COVID-19. In an exclusive interview with thinksnewsonline.com, Founder, Lady Gee said “We are not in normal times. It came to our notice that this community lacks lots of personal hygiene equipments hence this donation” She added that she believes the items presented will be distributed accordingly. Lady Gee pleaded with the Queenmothers to use their local languages as means of communicating in order for residents to under and have a better understand of the harmful nature of the Coronavirus. Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that the items presented to the Queenmothers include; nose masks, veronica buckets, hand sanitizers, liquid soaps, tissue papers amongst others. Receiving the donation, Queen mother of Prampram, Naana Osabu Abey I, lauded the Lady Gee Foundation for their kind gesture. Naana Osabu Abey I added that she will ensure the items are shared equally among the residents. She further called on other Philanthropists and Organisations to emulate from Lady Gee Foundation. Meanwhile, Ghana has recorded 1550 cases of COVID-19. According to the Ghana Health Service's website, despite the 1550 cases, the country has recorded 11 deaths and 155 recoveries. Story by Joshua Kwabena Smith

President Akufo-Addo has revealed that 17 out 67 persons who were arrested for allegedly entering Nkwanta from the Greater Accra Region have tested positive for Coronavirus. According to President Akufo-Addo, the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) intercepted 2 Cargo vehicles on the Nkawkaw stretch carrying these persons. In his 8th Address to the Nation on measures taken against the spread of Coronavirus, he said “These seventeen (17) were the result of interceptions near Nkwanta by officers of the Immigration Service and other security personnel of two (2) cargo vehicles that had on 2 board a total of sixty-seven (67) passengers, who were illegally entering the Region from Accra during the period of the ‘lockdown’, and all of whom were tested, with seventeen (17) proving positive” He added that the country is still very much in unchartered territory, and, clearly, the citizenry still has some way to go towards ridding ourselves of the virus. The President hinted that the country registered a modest success i.e an important battle to trace and test many of persons who had come into contact with infected persons. He also mentioned that the country will not rest on its laurels and also not let its guard down. President says he is confident the country will pursue its strategy of enhanced 3Ts i.e tracing and testing to allow the health professionals identify infected person, isolate and treat them. He urged Ghanaians to join the frontline health professionals in their fight at eradicating the pandemic. “Government has enabled domestic production and supply of protective equipment to our health workers to increase significantly – they have received, in recent days, nine hundred and five thousand, and thirty-one (905,031) nose masks, thirty one thousand, six hundred and thirty (31,630) medical scrubs” he noted. He further revealed that thirty one thousand, four hundred and seventy-two (31,472) gowns, forty-six thousand, eight hundred and seventy (46,870) head covers, and eighty-three thousand, five hundred (83,500) N-95 face masks are part of the enabled domestic production and supply of protective equipment to our health workers. He however lauded the Minister for Health, Kwaku Agyemang Manu for his tireless efforts. “I have as of Saturday 25th April,2020, issued directives to guide the production and mandatory wearing of face mask. We should all comply to the directives as the Regional Coordinating Council for Greater Accra, Ashanti Region and Central Region are demanding for their residents” he hinted. President Akufo-Addo says he is confident that together, all the protocols will prove effective in helping each other to avoid contracting the virus. He said “We are told by the Scientists that the virus mode of transport is human-contact, ie. Talking. Singing, Coughing, Sneezing and thereby sending droplets of the virus from the infected person. This is more reason each one of us must adhere strictly to these directives” Story by Mandy Woods

President Akufo-Addo has extended the lockdown restrictions on social gathering by two weeks. This according to the President forms part of measures at combating and reducing the spread of coronavirus among the citizenry in the country. In his 8th Address to the Nation on measures taken against the spread of Coronavirus, he said “I have, accordingly, by Executive Instrument, extended for another two (2) weeks the suspension of all public and social gatherings, as set out in E.I 64 of 15th March 2020, effective tomorrow, 1 am, Monday, 27th April” He added that this directive was based on a consensus supported by data and science adding that he has met with some stakeholders to discuss on how to resolve the existing issues and restrictions on public gatherings. The President further hinted that the meeting forms part of the Nation’s sacrifices and measures at defeating the deadly coronavirus pandemic which has gained grounds in the country. “I met with the Chairperson and Members of the Council of State, the President and Members of the Standing Committee of the National House of Chiefs, representatives of organised labour, i.e. the leadership of the Trades Union Congress, the leadership of the Christian Community, the leadership of the Muslim Community, the President and Executive Committee of the Ghana Medical Association, representatives and leaders of the Media” he revealed. President Akufo-Addo added that the leadership of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), and its affiliated associations were also not left out of the meeting. The President also applauded Commercial Drivers (Trotro, Taxis, Buses) for operating with limited number of passengers. He also commended Supermarkets such as Palace, Shoprite and Melcom for implementing as well as working on social distancing use of hand sanitizers likewise wearing of mask. The President also congratulated market women, especially Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, where social distancing and cleanliness is well observed. “This is the time for sacrifice so that we do not have to bear a greater cost in the future” Worriedly, he talks about some few Ghanaians from the west African national, despite the close of borders tries to enter the country illegally” he said. Story by Maame Serwaa Asante

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