President Akufo-Addo will today, August 30, 2020 at 8:00pm update Ghanaians on measures taken against the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
This would be the 16th address of the President since the first case of the disease was recorded in the country on March 12, 2020. The virus has, so far, claimed 276 lives and infected 44,205 people in the country. However, the country has witnessed a significant recovery rate leading to the active cases reducing drastically to 1,152.
The opening of the country’s airports to international flights is expected to feature in tonight’s address as the President gave indications in his last address that he had instructed the Ministry of Aviation, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and Ghana Airport Company Limited to work together with the Ghana Health Service in ascertaining the country’s readiness to reopen its airport for international flights.
His 15th address also saw the announcement of reopening of schools for continuing students who could not complete their courses for the semester or academic year through the virtual mode.
The distribution of hot meals to final Junior High Schools (JHS) students and staff both in private and public schools was also announced and that has commenced.
The restrictions on the number of people who could attend conferences, award events and workshops was also lifted subject to strict adherence to the Covid-19 safety protocols by attendees, proper ventilation of the venue and limited to a duration of two hour for a session.
In earlier addresses, President Akufo-Addo announced the imposition of restrictions on movement and social gatherings. This resulted into the closure of schools, worship centres and a three-week lockdown which was imposed on residents of the greater Accra and Greater Kumasi.
The President around same time announced relief packages to Ghanaians including free water supply to all consumers and reduction of 50 percent electricity bills for non-lifeline consumers with the total absorption of the bills of lifeline consumers of electricity for three months. The free water supply for all consumers was later extended by an additional three months while lifeline consumers of electricity are expected to enjoy electricity free of charge for the rest of the year.
The restrictions are gradually being lifted and Ghanaians are encouraged to strictly adhere to the safety precautionary measures. To that end, the wearing of nose mask in public has been made mandatory.
