The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has appealed to Ghanaians to remain in Ghana and not travel abroad unless it is for critical reasons only as part of their contribution to the fight to contain the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
“All of us should, as a much as possible, desist from all foreign travels except the most critical until the coronavirus is contained,” the President enjoined the citizenry.
Addressing the nation yesterday on the country’s preparedness to contain the virus, President Akufo-Addo stated that beyond the satisfactory set up to detect the virus in various health facilities and entry points into the country, a noncritical travel ban has been placed on all public officials.
He also revealed that some $ 100, 000,000 has been earmarked by the Finance Ministry to help contain the virus when it is reported in the country…
“I have, as at yesterday, ordered a suspension of all international travels by public officials. Except for critical assignments, which will have to be authorised by the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, all public officials are to remain within the jurisdiction, until further notice. Video conferencing facilities and other technological tools are to be utilised, whenever possible, for international engagements,” the president added.
“Our country’s two main research institutions, the Noguchi Memorial Institute and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, which have the capacity to investigate and confirm or otherwise suspected cases of Coronavirus infections, have been very supportive in this regard. So far, they have found that the fifty-seven (57) suspected cases, as of today, Wednesday, 11th March, have proved negative,” he said.
The President continued, “I have, as at yesterday, ordered a suspension of all international travels by public officials. Except for critical assignments, which will have to be authorised by the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, all public officials are to remain within the jurisdiction, until further notice. Video conferencing facilities and other technological tools are to be utilised, whenever possible, for international engagements.”
