Coronavirus: Ghana extends closure of borders by one month

01 Mai 2020

Accra, Ghana, May 1 (Infosplusgabon) - Ghana's President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday extended the closure of the country’s borders by one month with effect from 01:00 hours next Monday to contain the spread of the COVID-19 (coconavirus).

Speaking at a virtual May Day celebration from the studios of the state broadcaster, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, he said this is to ensure that there is no risk of importation of COVID-19 into the country.

The President said these restrictions cannot and will not be a permanent feature of our lives but they are for now essential for “our survival.”

The air, land and sea border closures will, however, not apply to goods.

Ghana has 2,074 confirmed cases as of 30 April, with 17 deaths and 212 recoveries.

The president said that his utmost desire is to wipe away the coronavirus and bring the country back into normalcy.

“No country on earth has been spared the ravages of this virus, and my single-minded goal is how to steer the country out of this crisis, protect our population from the virus, and see to the rebuilding of our economy. Nothing else matters for me.”

Addressing issues related to workers, President Akufo-Addo said that job creation is a priority of his government, stating that several measures have been taken to create jobs for Ghanaians and, or, create the enabling environment for to create jobs and wealth for themselves.

He applauded workers for their contributions towards nation-building.

Meanwhile, the National Labour Commission is entreating private organisations not to lay off workers, amid the pandemic.

The commission says although it acknowledges we are not in normal times, certain trained workers cannot be laid off, else these organisations will have difficulties when the economy starts to pick up post-pandemic.

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/MPO/GABON2020

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