The government of Ghana has suspended all public gatherings in the country with immediate effect following the recording of six confirmed coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) in Ghana as of Saturday, March 14, 2020.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made this known in a televised national address on Sunday night. He said the new directives follows an earlier meeting of Inter-Ministerial Committee on coronavirus response which he chaired and it deliberated on the issues.
“I have decided, in the interest of public safety and protection of our population, to review the public gathering advisories earlier announced.”
He said among the gatherings suspended are church services, weddings, funerals, other social gatherings.
All universities, senior high schools and basic schools – public and private schools will be closed Monday March 16, 2020 till further notice.
The President said the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication has been tasked to roll out distance learning programmes. However, BECE and WASSCE candidates will be allowed to attend school to prepare for their examinations, but with prescribed social distancing protocols, President Akufo-Addo said.
President Akufo-Addo used the occasion to confirm the number of confirmed cases in Ghana, noted that advisories on how to manage the developments have also been announced by the Ministries of Health and Information and that public education is being intensified to ensure that citizens are well advised on preventive measures.
The President revealed that he has directed the Attorney General to immediately submit to Parliament an emergency Legislation in accordance with Article 21 to help enforce all the measures announced.
The President said all the measures announced will be subject to constant review and enhancement if necessary.
This is the second broadcast in less than a week by the president on the coronavirus and the nation’s preparedness towards its containment.
