The Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, has stated that the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government is committed to winning the fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic.
She has therefore assured that until the nation’s last active case recovers, the government will not relent in implementing measures that will seek to end the pandemic.
She gave the assurance while speaking on behalf of President Akufo-Addo yesterday to officially commission Ghana’s second Covid-19/infectious disease centre at Pantang, in Accra.
Mrs Osei-Opare noted that the government’s commitment to ending the pandemic is what necessitated the call on the Electricity Company of Ghana and other private companies to complete the building that had been abandoned for about eight years and convert it into an infectious disease centre.
“I wish to assure all Ghanaians that Government is committed and resolute in the fight against this global crisis, which has affected the lives and livelihood across the country and across the entire world,” she said.
Protecting the gains
The Chief of Staff stated that, while the government is committed to leading the fight, Ghanaians must also do their part in sustaining the gains made so far.
“The Covid-19 is still here with us. I therefore urge all of us to continue observing the protocols put in place by the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service, ie frequent washing of hands, sanitising of hands, social distancing and very importantly, wearing of nose masks at all times.
“It is only by practicing these proven protocols that we can defeat the coronavirus and the scourge covid-19 from our land,” she said.
Mrs Osei-Opare further called on other institutions to support the government in the fight against the pandemic.
“Government will need the continuous support and collaboration of individuals, public organisations, civil society and private sector companies to join forces to defeat the covid-19 pandemic,” she added.
The facility
The 60-bed Covid-19/infectious disease centre is the second of its kind in the country after the private sector led 100-bed centre, also located in Accra.
The provision of the facility is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
The project was funded by ECG as part of its corporate social responsibility to support the government to curb the coronavirus pandemic. It was also supported by other private organisations. The facility, which had been abandoned for close to eight years, was renovated and made ready to be used in a little over four months.
The Board Chairman of ECG, Keli Gadzekpo, said apart from the facility, the company is also providing personal protective equipment (PPEs) to staff who will be manning the facility and other frontline workers.
He noted that ECG is committed to helping the government in fighting the pandemic and will not relent on its effort until the fight has been won.