COVID-19: Ghanaians Commend The President For Free Water, Tax Exemptions And Others

Ghanaians who have been in lockdown for as long as a week is still in the 14 days “Stay At Home” orders. The country’s contaminated cases has marginally ascended from 134 to 214, of which the President of Ghana Nana Akkufo-Addo isn’t enthused in any way, hence for the fourth time, he met with the entire of the country through a Live TV coverage to give updates on the Coronavirus infection.

On Sunday 5th April, 2020, the President addressed the populace and praised Ghanaians for complying with the restrictions reported seven days back.

As indicated by the President, Ghanaians have heeded the call, and have demonstrated, so far to one another and to the whole world.

Besides, he conceded that there are a rare sorts of people who keep on finding ways to be disobedient, however the more noteworthy greater part have consented, and have done as such with quiet and nobility. He expressed gratitude toward every single one for being well behaved residents.

In his presentation, the President Nana Akkufo-Addo said Government is doing all conceivable intends to accomplish five key points – limit and stop the importation of the virus; contain its spread; provide adequate care for the sick; limit the impact of the virus on social and economic life; and inspire the expansion of our domestic capability and deepen our self-reliance.

Moreover, the President gave records of infected individuals so far, with the Greater Accra Region recording 189 cases, trailed by the Ashanti Region with 12, Northern Region 10, Upper West Region 1, Eastern Region 1, and Upper East Region 1.

Altogether, three people have completely recouped from the illness, 49 people have been released from treatment offices, and are being overseen from home; and the remaining 155 are reacting to treatment.

Also, endeavors at contact tracing have been increase throughout the previous week. And, for each affirmed instance of COVID-19, all the contacts have been monitored, listed and followed.

Moreover, in the home or work environment of an affirmed case, all people, be they at home or busy working, have been tested, regardless of whether they had side effects or not.

Within the locality or neighborhood of an affirmed case, the opportunity is additionally being given to people to experience intentional testing to discover the degree of community spread.

Ghana is going to enter a critical period of the battle against COVID-19 in the coming week, as the Ghana Health Service is expected to get the aftereffects of somewhere in the range of 15,384 out of 19,276 people who have been reached through contact tracing.

It is the consequences of these tests that will decide Ghana’s future game-plan. Government’s strategy and measures will keep on being driven by the science right now.

The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Center for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are presently joining forces with government in the battle.

The President Nana Akkufo-Addo has in any case, by Executive Instrument, extended the conclusion of Ghana’s borders for two additional weeks, until further notification.

Ghanaians has accordingly been asked to have their impact to upgrade an aggregate endeavors at containing the spread of the infection, which will empower the nation to hurry the lifting of these restrictions, and return the country to normality.

Meanwhile, an aggregate sum of some ¢8.75 million, which incorporates $600,000 has been received so far through the COVID-19 Fund started by the President for this reason.

This reserve is to protect households and livelihoods, support micro, small, and medium-sized businesses, minimise job losses, and source additional funding for promotion of industries to shore up and expand industrial output for domestic consumption and exports.

The President has again requested the Ghana Water Company Ltd and the Electricity Company of Ghana to guarantee the steady stockpile of water and power during this period. And, there will be no disengagement of supply.

Moreover, government will absord the water bills for all Ghanaians for the following three months, for April, May and June. All water tankers, public and private, are additionally going to be activated to guarantee the inventory of water to every vulnerable community.

Additionally, he has requested chosen banks in Ghana to to roll out a soft loan scheme up to a total of six hundred million cedis (GH¢600 million), which will have a one-year moratorium and two-year repayment period for micro, small and medium scale businesses.

Moreover, an insurance bundle, with a guaranteed whole of ¢350,000 for every health personnel and allied professionals at the cutting edge of the battle, has been set up, with a day by day remittance of ¢150 being paid to contact tracers.

Government has additionally concluded that all health workers won’t pay taxes on their remittances for the next three months, ie. April, May and June.

Besides, all forefront health workers will get an extra stipend of half of their fundamental compensation every month, for March, April, May and June.

The March remittance will be paid close by that of April. The Ministry of Transport is additionally making accessible, for nothing, business transports to convey health workers in Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Kasoa to and from work, along explicit courses, for the whole span of the restrictions.