President Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has indicated that the goal of the government is to ensure that there is zero active cases in the country, as it continues to stay on course in the Covid-19 fight.
He has accordingly cautioned Ghanaians to continue to comply with the strict hygiene, mask wearing and social distancing protocols in order to defeat the virus and avoid a second wave of infections.
Addressing the nation yesterday from Peduase Lodge in the Eastern Region, after having just completed the last Cabinet Retreat of Government for the year, the President said, “I have said before, let us continue to look out for one another, and remain each other’s keeper, and I am confident that, by doing so, we will emerge victorious in the fight against COVID-19.”
Doing something right
According to the President, Ghana, compared to other countries, seems to be doing better in the fight against the virus.
“When you take a close look at the measures some other countries are having to take, including imposing night-time curfews and partial lockdowns, declaring state of emergencies, limiting the numbers of people permitted at public gatherings, and mandatorily fining persons for not wearing masks, all in the bid to contain the second wave of the virus, we, in Ghana, have been spared all these developments and restrictions. We must, thus, be doing something right,” he said.
This, President Akufo-Addo attributed to the effectiveness of government policies as well as the cooperation from the general public.
“The science and data tell us that the trajectory of the virus in Ghana mirrors that of an epidemic with reduced disease activity. Our daily infection rates are no longer in the hundreds as they were sometime back. Presently, they are in the tens, averaging 25 new cases per day, in the course of last week. This is in sharp contrast with what is happening in the countries that are experiencing a second wave of infections, where, in some instances, new infections and hospitalizations are, sadly, in the thousands per day,” he said.
Cases at airport
President Akufo-Addo stated that he is committed to just not limiting the importation of the virus, but stopping it as well and also reducing its impact on social and economic life.
He disclosed that since the re-opening of Ghana’s airport on September 1, 2020, some 30,564 passengers have been tested, from which 92 have tested positive.
“All 92 are asymptomatic cases, whose status, but for the test, would not have been detected, and would have spread the disease amongst the rest of the population. I am aware that some are calling for Government to extend the PCR negative test period before boarding the flight from three days to at least five days. I believe, in the context of the second wave of infections that is engulfing so many countries of Europe and America, that we have to insist on the three day period. It is better to be safe than sorry,” he said.
The President further revealed that government has seen to the expansion of Covid-19 testing facilities, from the initial two to 16, which include those of private sector providers.
“Additionally, some hospitals across the country have been equipped with the capacity to test for COVID-19. We now have more dedicated treatment facilities for dealing with the disease, and have also improved considerably the availability of PPEs for our health workers. It is reassuring that we no longer have news of shortages or lack of PPEs,” he said.
Economy
President Akufo-Addo said reports from the Bank of Ghana indicate that the Ghanaian economy is recovering faster than initially anticipated, with consumer confidence bouncing back strongly.
“Business confidence has also increased, reflecting the improving macroeconomic conditions, stability in the exchange rate, lower input prices, moderation in lending rates, and positive industry prospects. Consumer spending, industrial consumption of electricity, and construction activities have all reached pre-lockdown levels, whilst tourist arrivals and port harbour activity are gradually edging upwards,” he stressed.
As of Friday, October 16, according to the President, the number of active cases had declined further to 398, with 46,664 persons fully recovered from the virus, putting Ghana’s recovery rate at 98 per cent.
He said 13 more deaths have occurred, bringing the total number of deaths to 310, out of a total number of 510,074 persons tested. The rate of death stands at 0.5 per cent, which still remains low.
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