Ghana’s Embassy in the United States has indefinitely suspended the issuance of visas and passports as a move to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
The suspension by Ghana’s Embassy which takes effect from today March 17 2020, affects both mailed and in-person services.
“All mails received prior to the effective date will be processed and dispatched to applicants,” a statement issued by the Head of Information and Public Affairs of the Embassy announced Monday.
It said Ghana’s Embassy in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has also suspended all official travels and public engagements.
The Embassy explained that precautionary measures has become necessary due to the increase and rapid spread of the coronavirus in the United States and globally.
Ghana has so far recorded six cases of Coronavirus in Ghana. Health officials say all the six cases were imported ones.
President Nana Akufo-Addo had earlier directed the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, to make available the cedi equivalent of US$100 million to enhance Ghana’s Coronavirus preparedness and response plan.
This amount, according to President Akufo-Addo, “is to fund the expansion of infrastructure, purchase of materials and equipment, and public education.”
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Delivering an address to the nation on Wednesday, 11th March, 2020, the President explained that with the declaration by the World Health Organisation (WHO) of the Coronavirus disease as “a pandemic”, it is important that Ghana steps up her preparedness to ensure that beyond the initial measures that have been put in place, a ‘whole of Ghana’ approach is adopted in preparation for a possible hit within the country’s borders.
