The dust has once again settled on the hustling and bustling of Accra as another eventful week comes to an end. With a cure yet to be found for COVID-19, everyone has had to take a step having in mid the presence of he pandemic to take the right precautions.
This week saw much happenings on the political scenes and other issues related to Ghana and the COVID-19 diesease. Enjoy the wrap.
Accra and the Numbers
The numbers have gone up and Accra stands with the highest numbers. As at 0027 HRS, Saturday, total nationwide positive count stood at 5,638 with Accra having a total of 4,248 of the share of positive case count.
The astronomical rise in the regional cases has seen Ashanti Region recording 798 cases, Central, 210; Eastern, 99; Western, 87; Western North, 57; Volta, 34; Northern, 31; Upper East and 26 Oti Regions, 26; Upper West, 21; North East, 2 and Bono Region, 1. Only Savannah, Ahafo and Bono East Regions have no recorded cases of the disease.
1,460 who tested positive for the disease earlier have recovered. The country has also seen 22 deaths so far.
We all need to be cautious but Accra like we always say needs to be extra cautious.
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President Akufo-Addo’s 9th update address
The week started with President Akufo-Addo’s 9th address in a series of address to update citizens on measures taken to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 disease.
Delivering the address, Sunday evening, the president announced the extension of the ban on public gathering to the end of this month after which decisions taken will be made known to the citizens.
He also stressed on the need for the country pay attention to the “common enemy” we are fighting in COVID-19 and avoid political detractors who he says are opposing government’s measures “for their political survival”.
He also announced the receipt of extra support by various frontline health workers including journalists and the National Commmission for Civic Education.
Former NCA and National Security bosses get prison sentences
Three former appointees of the National Communications Authority, Mr. William Tetteh-Tevie (Director-General) , Mr. Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie (Board Chair) and Alhaji Salifu Mimina Osman (Deputy National Security Coordinator) were sentenced to prison for their involvement in a $4m loss to the nation described as “wilfully causing financial loss to the nation”.
Read: NCA SCANDAL: Full judgement on Republic versus Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie and four others
The sentence was delivered over a cybersecurity software the accused failed to deliver. Out of the $4m, the amount of $1m has been regained. The convicted men are all serving prison sentences.
NPP’s & NDC’s held press conference
In what looked like an “equal agenda” press conference, both the ruling New Patriotic Party and the opposition National Democratic Congress talked about the 2020 elections.
The NPP responded to allegations of the NDC that they (NPP) are conniving with the Electoral Commission to rig the 2020 elections. Campaign manager for the NPP in the 2020 elections for the NPP, Mr. Peter Mac Manu was emphatic on the point that with or without a new voter’s register, the NPP is going to win the elections.
Week Read: Election 2020: NPP prepared to win with or without new voters’ register – Mac ManuOn their part, the NDC made allegations against the NPP government for manoeuvring the system through the National Identification Authority and it’s Ghana Card registration to intentionally disenfranchise voters in areas that are strongholds of the party. According to the National Chairman of the party, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, the percentage of registrants in the various regions revealed this as one could easily come to the realization that the numbers registered in the NPP strongholds were more than those in NDC strongholds. This he believes will end up with a system that will pour frustration on voters to desist from voting come December, 2020.
The Electoral Commission on the other hand has also come out to raise concerns about the allegations brought against it by the NDC saying they (NDC) are trying to create the wrong impressions about the EC.
Minister’s Press Briefing
On Tuesday, the press briefing focused on case count and how they are being managed. The data revealed that the current hotspots in the region are the Tema Metropolis, Korle-Klottey Municipality, Accra Metro and the Kpone Katamanso Municipality.
Read: Covid-19 has come to stay, let’s adjust to live with it – Kwaku Agyeman-Manu
Speaking at Thursday’s press briefing, the minister of health, Mr. Kwaku Agyemang Manu reiterated the point that the COVID-19 disease has come to stay with us like diseases like Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Diabetes and others. He however encouraged Ghanaians to learn how to live with the disease whiles making sure that we do not contract the disease by adhering strictly to all preventive protocols given by the World Health Organization (WHO).
New Tema Motorway interchange Open to traffic from today
Government through the Ghana Highways Authority, announced through a presser, Tuesday that the new Tema Motorway Interchange will be opened today,Saturday, 16th May 2020.
Week Read: New Tema Motorway Interchange opens to traffic on May 16
The road is the result of a $57 million grant from the Japanese government through its, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Directional Animations will be broadcasted on all TV channels across the nation.
Bundesliga is back!
Germany has taken the lead in resuming their top-flight league, Bundesliga today. Many have looked forward to football coming back on their screens after the sport together with others have been forced to go on hold or suspension for some time now due to he COVID-19 outbreak.
Week Read: Bundesliga: German soccer returns but not as we know it
Many will be looking forward to a wonderful time with “their” football but some things have changed; the normal crowding that sees support in the stadiums and behind the screens are no more are public gatherings are still discouraged to prevent spread of the disease.
The English Premier League resumes in June.
