Everything in Accra has narrowed down to one issue making waves across the world; the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
Top stations in the capital have been discussing these issues throughout the week, assessing the performance of government, economic impacts and updates on the spread of the virus so far as Ghana is concerned.
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The week started with what could be described as the last mass gathering for most Christians as the president’s late night address, the second to the nation since the outbreak of the disease as all public gatherings were banned. This is still in place and extending. Very soon, projections suggest that market places will be closed down to avoid the huge gatherings that help the disease spread.
Before the President addressed the nation late Sunday, the ministers of health and information together with the Ghana health service at a press briefing revealed that recorded cases of the coronavirus in Ghana had risen to six from an initial two reported.
On this backdrop that the president in his address gave directives for some precautionary guidelines to effectively take place to help the country protect itself against spread of the disease. These directives included close down of all public gatherings including those of schools and churches. Schools in the country with the exception of final year JHS and SHS 3 students preparing to write BECE. On Friday however, the West African Examinatiion Council (WAEC) announced the suspension of the 2020 WASSCE till further notice.
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Again, all churches and mosques have been asked to put a hold on all gatherings like Friday mass prayers as well as Saturday and Sunday congregational meetings.
Others like the clubs, spots, restaurants, lorry stations and shopping centers were directed to be ensure that they stick to strict precautionary measures like provision of hand sanitizers and flowing water and soaps for hand washing. This was on the grounds that they are businesses. The president however revealed on Thursday at a breakfast prayer meeting with eminent clergy men and women in the country that clubs, spots will also be closed down for the four weeks period.Friday also saw the vice-president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia meeting with some eminent muslim clergy in the country including the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu to pray for the nation in the midst of the crisis.
News coming in Friday evening indicated that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly that markets in the metropolis will be closed on Monday coronavirus, monday, friday, sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, to make way for mass disinfection. Earlier, the assembly had limited the number of people present in the city halls to 6 people as a preventive measure against the disease.
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As it stands now Ghana has recorded 16 cases so far. Three of thee cases were recorded in the ashanti region whiles the other 13 were in he Greater Accra Region. 8 patients are responding positively to treatment. Contact tracing is still ongoing for some of the cases recorded.
