Coronavirus updates As it happens (2020-03-26)

Mar 26, 2020

Coronavirus Scare Hit Rawlings To Closes Office

Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings has closed his office until further notice.

A press statement issued by his office said the closure was due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus disease.

Mar 26, 2020

Panic Buying Hits Ashanti Region Ahead Of Friday Fumigation

There is brisk business at markets and shopping centres in the Ashanti Region ahead of tomorrow Friday’s exercise to disinfect trading areas.

The measure is part of the government's efforts to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

Mar 26, 2020

Coronavirus: Gov't To Test All Contacts Traced

The Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Nsiah Asare says government will in the coming days test all persons confirmed to have come into contact with persons infected with the coronavirus.

This comes in the wake of the sudden increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases in less than a week.

Mar 26, 2020

COVID-19: Minority Backs Lockdow

The Minority in Parliament has added their voice to calls by some organizations and individuals for the country to lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The Caucus said the exponential jump in the number of coronavirus cases from 68 to 132 cases in a day shows that the situation was not getting any better and that things are growing from bad to worse.

Mar 26, 2020

South Africa’s Lockdown Begins Midnight Today

South Africa, which has become Africa's epicentre of COVID-19 will begin a 21-day lockdown effective the midnight of Thursday, March 26, as part of measures to curb the spread of the pandemic.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, of South Africa, who announced the lockdown on Monday in a televised address to the nation, said the decision was necessary as the country kept recording the highest number of cases on the continent.

Mar 26, 2020

Stop Covid-19 Video Challenge Launched

The Stop Coronavirus Ghana, a private-sector led coalition that seeks to support national efforts at combating the coronavirus, has launched the “StopCovid19 Ghana Video Challenge”, with a call on all celebrities to join in the effort to drive awareness on COVID-19 Prevention.

The challenge, which forms part of activities of the “Stop Coronavirus Ghana Campaign”, is expected to help increase awareness creation in the fight against the spread of the virus in Ghana.

Mar 26, 2020

COVID-19: Health Economist Proposes Financial Ways For A Lockdown

Mixed reactions have greeted calls for a nationwide lockdown following the increasing number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in the last few weeks.

While some like the Ghana Medical Association had argued for a shutdown to forestall any further spread of the virus, others argue that Ghana's economy may not support such move.

Mar 26, 2020

COVID—19: Enforce ‘Stay At Home’ Policy – UTAG To Gov't

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has suggested to government to among other things consider the enforcement of a “stay at home” policy to help combat the novel coronavirus disease in the country.

According to the association, a total lockdown being suggested by a section of the public should be a last resort if all mechanisms deployed fail to yield the needed results.

Mar 26, 2020

COVID-19: Akufo-Addo Grants Amnesty To 808 Prisoners

President Akufo-Addo has granted amnesty to 808 convict prisoners with immediate effect as part of measures to contain the COVID -19 outbreak.

The decision, taken in accordance with Article 72 (1) of the 1992 Constitution was done upon the recommendation of the Prisons Service Council in consultation with the Council of State.

Mar 26, 2020

American ambassador fuels China-US coronavirus feud

A US diplomat has accused China of “turning Covid-19 into a global threat,” criticising Beijing's lack of transparency. The remarks add to growing tensions between China and the US following mutual accusations regarding the origin of the virus.

“It is bad enough when conspiracy-theory cranks spread dangerous misinformation around the world,” writes US ambassador to the UK Robert Wood Johnson in The Times. “It is far worse, and more dangerous, when malign misinformation is spread by a government's officials.”

“It is bad enough when conspiracy-theory cranks spread dangerous misinformation around the world,” writes US ambassador to the UK Robert Wood Johnson in The Times. “It is far worse, and more dangerous, when malign misinformation is spread by a government's officials.”

AFP/Archivos

Mar 26, 2020

COVID-19 And The Banking Sector

Welcome to another week of financial learning. The whole world has come to a partial standstill due to the outbreak of the Corona Virus.

The virus that started slowly in China has now spread to more than 150 countries across the globe. The economic impact of the pandemic goes beyond the shores of China.

Mar 26, 2020

COVID: 19 Response: Republic Bank Defers Loan Repayment And Offers Other Concessions To Customers

Republic Bank Ghana, a subsidiary of Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) has announced an offer of Loan Repayment Deferment for Customers and Staff of the Bank for a maximum period of six months in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Loan Repayment Deferment offer is currently available upon request. Customers can apply for this offer by contacting their respective Branch/Corporate Managers or Relationship Officers by telephone, email or completing an online deferment offer form available from 27th March 2020 on the website of the Bank – www.republicghana.com

Mr. Farid Antar, MD Republic Bank

Mar 26, 2020

COVID-19 Infections In Our Prisons: Release More Petty Offenders, The Sick, The Aged And Others

The country's forty-four prisons will be hard hit, should prisoners and wardens contract the dreaded COVID-19. More worrying will be the increase in positive cases among the population stemming from contacts between prison wardens and the public.

As most prisons around the world begin to release more and more prisoners and modify sentences to avoid further spread of the disease among prison populations, it has become even more expedient in the case of Ghana for the President to pardon more first time offenders with lower sentences, as well as the sick and the aged, most of whom do not pose a risk to society.

It is against this backdrop that we at Crime Check Foundation CCF believe that the eight hundred and eight prisoners granted Amnesty by the President is woefully inadequate looking at the dangers the COVID-19 pandemic present to incarcerated populations, and the fact that for the past three years the number of prisoners granted Amnesty by the President has been minimal.

Mar 26, 2020

COVID-19: Protect Yourselves First—Minister Tells Border Security

The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, has advised security agencies at the border to adhere to the precautionary measures to safeguard themselves against the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) in the discharge of their duties.

He said they were the first point of contact with any person coming into the country and therefore needed to protect themselves in order not to contract the virus.

Mar 26, 2020

Coronavirus: One Patient Recovers

One coronavirus patient in Ghana has now tested negative.

This is according to the Ghana Health Service’s website.

Mar 26, 2020

Coronavirus: We’ll Look At All Options Before Any Lockdown – Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo has said government is holding extensive consultations on the possible measures aimed at curbing the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Ghana.

Nana Akufo-Addo said though a lockdown remains an option, extensive consultations will be made to ensure that the government takes the right decision.

Mar 26, 2020

COVID-19: Mamprugu Suspends Enskinment Of Chiefs, Funerals, Others

The overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Council, Nayiri Naa Bohugu, Mahami Abdullai Sheriga II has suspended all traditional activities including enskinment of sub-chiefs as well as funerals in his Kingdom in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

To this end, the overlord has directed the North East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to deal ruthlessly with anyone found violating the president's directive on measures taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

Mar 26, 2020

COVID-19: 40 New Patients Part Of Travellers Under Mandatory Quarantine

Some 40 more people in mandatory quarantine tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to data from the Ghana Health Service.

The number of confirmed cases among travellers under mandatory quarantine currently stands at 78.

Mar 26, 2020

Coronavirus: Adopt Flexible Working Practices – Local Gov’t Service To RCCs, MMDAs

Ing. Dr Nana Ato Authur, Head of the Local Government Service (LGS) has directed Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to adopt flexible working practices to ensure that their offices are not overcrowded to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

He has therefore recommended a flexible shift system, time off in Lieu, encourage staff to take their annual leave and working from home if possible as some of the practices.

Mar 26, 2020

What pledges have the G20 leaders made?

By BBC News

Earlier, we reported the pledge by G20 leaders to inject $5 trillion into the global economy for the fight against the coronavirus outbreak.

It comes after the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, called for action from the group, asking for an "immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world" to "focus together on the true fight of our lives".

We have gone through the joint statement from the G20 leaders after their meeting today with a fine-tooth comb, and here's what else you need to know:

The leaders have "strongly committed to presenting a united front against this common threat"
They pledge to take "all necessary health measures" to protect people, especially the most vulnerable
They promise to share research and best practices on the virus and vaccines, and to increase manufacturing capabilities for medical equipment
The leaders say they will use "all available policy tools to minimise the economic and social damage from the pandemic"
Finance ministers from the countries and Central Bank governors will work together to develop a G20 action plan on the economy
They will work together to ensure the flow of trade - especially medicines - isn't disrupted
They will support developing and the least developed countries - notably countries in Africa and small island states, where health systems and economies may be less able to cope
They also pledge to provide assistance where necessary to repatriate citizens
Finally, the G20 leaders say they "stand ready to react promptly and take any further action that may be required"