Government has indicated that Ghana has not gotten to a period for lockdown even though there is a rapid spread of Covid-19 cases in the country.
According to government, the current situation does not necessitate a lockdown especially in The Greater Accra and the Ashanti Regions where positive cases have been recorded.
Ghana has confirmed 24 cases with one death. Currently, all the confirmed Covid-19 cases have been in the Greater and Ashanti Regions prompting calls from groups like the Bureau of Public Safety for immediate lockdown for these regions.
Government latest comment comes to respond to the Bureau of Public Safety call for the “immediate discriminated lockdown” of Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions for a minimum of 21 days.
According to the Bureau of Public Safety have taken notice of and commend earlier and further measures announced by the President and the COVID-19 Response Committee.
The statement from the Bureau of Public Safety added that, “having followed developments and data from other countries in Africa and the rest of the world, the Safety group is of a firm conviction that unless Government take immediate drastic and decisive measures, in addition to already taken measures the COVID-19 numbers may continue to go up in the country and the consequences will be dire.”
However,in a radio interview today March 23, Deputy Health Minister, Alexander Kodwo Abban says the time has not come for a lockdown adding the decision will be made once it becomes necessary
”Of course, if the situation dictates that why not ? But these are decisions that are not taken by the Ministry of Health because it has many implications .For now,its not time for that.So obviously if it comes to that and the President in his wisdom looking at all the circumstances will advise those who matter in the various ministries that are affected by this. But I cannot say that per the information that we have that the time has come for lockdown for these two regions.”
He further indicated that: ”The President has daily meetings with the inter-ministerial committee to fight COVID-19 so that response team meets the President and advises him of event every day. So am sure all the facts will be placed before the President, they will have discussions on it and whatever decision that must be taken in the interest of the Ghanaian public, they will do so”.
