Coronavirus: Ghana President urges public not to let their guard down as cases spike

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana on Sunday appealed to the general public to strictly observe sanitary protocols put in place by the health authorities to check the spread of the coronavirus.

He spoke against the backdrop of a disturbing spike in the number of cases in Ghana in the past weeks.

Many people have criticised politicians for massing people together as they intensify their campaigns for the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections, with many of their supporters not wearing face masks.

President Akufo-Addo noted that the number of active cases has increased from 398 three weeks ago to 1,139 as at last Friday while the number of deaths has also risen to 320.

The number of daily infections has risen from an average of 25 new cases to 130 during the period. Total number of confirmed cases is 49,202 while 47,726 patients have recovered.

“It appears that we are letting our guard down,” President Akufo-Addo said in his 19th broadcast since the virus was first diagnosed last March.

“Now more than ever, we have to adhere to mask wearing, handwashing, the use of sanitizers and social distancing protocols that have become a part of our daily routines, and which have ensured that we do not impose, all over again, the restrictions we are seeing in other parts of the world,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo said the authorities are enhancing the measures of tracing, testing and treatment.

They will also continue to work to limit the importation of the virus, embark on the strategic, controlled easing of public gatherings, enhance public education and information, and continue to provide relief and support to individuals, families and businesses.

President Akufo-Addo encouraged political party leaders and supporters to wear the mask at all times at political gatherings.

He also urged management of organisations operating in confined, indoor spaces, such as workplaces and supermarkets, to ensure the continued adherence to all COVID-19 protocols at all times.

“We have to maintain, in a state of constant readiness, the enhanced infrastructure and expertise we have built during the period of the virus to cope with it,” he added.