The whole week has hinged again on talks about the world’s common enemy; Coronavirus. The discussions in Accra has however been skewed to the topic of a “lockdown”.
Discussions have tried to evaluate the need, advantages and disadvantages and even which type of lockdown; whether full or partial. By mid-week, the muddied waters had become a bit transparent To the fact that there was an imminent lockdown.
Friday, 27th March was finally set by the government for the president to give his fourth address to the nation on this matter. The lockdown affected primarily, Greater-Accra and Ashanti Regions, with Greater Accra having the highest number of areas under the partial lockdown and takes effect from Monday.
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Areas in Accra under shutdown are the Accra Metropolis, Tema Metropolis, Tema West Municipality, Ledzokuku Municipality, Krowor Municipality, Adentan Municipality, Ashiaman Municipality, La-Nkwantanan-Madina Municipality, La-Dadekotopon Municipality, Okaikwei North Municipality, Ablekuma North, West and Central Municipalities, Ayawaso East, West, North and Central Municipalities, Ga-West, North, Central, South and East Municipalities, Korle-Klottey Municipality, Weija-Gbawe Municipality, Kpone-Katamanso Municipality and Awutu-Senya Easy Municipality.
DISINFECTION OF MARKETS
Another issue that made it to the top of discussions was the fumigation of some markets in the capital. This excercise, was to help disinfect surfaces as many people have had contacts with the markets. Monday, 23rd March was set for this excercise.
According to a report by graphic.com.gh 137 markets within the 29 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Greater Accra Region, grouped into six zones, were covered in the exercise undertaken by some 1,300 sprayers.
On the day, busy markets like Agbogbloshie, Makola and Madina were rather deserted as traders complied with the measures to help keep the markets safe for trading. Reports coming in revealed that this excercise gave way for many of these markets to also be dislodged of tons of dirt. From Agbogbloshie market alone, over 10 tipper truckloads of dump was gathered from dissilting of gutters and other clean-ups. The same was with the Madina Market.
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NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYERS
In the President’s third address to the nation ON 21st March, he among other things called on Ghanaians to observe a national day of prayers and fasting. Muslims and christians were admonished by the president to set aside Wednesday, 25th March to pray for the nation in these times of uncertainty.
The day was widely marked across the country as radio and television morning shows and other programs were dedicated to praying and setting the agenda nationwide.
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