<<Print>>

President Nana Akufo-Addo has extended the ban on public gatherings to the end of the month; 31st May 2020.

In his ninth address to the nation, he said, "like you, I will like to see an end to these restrictions . . . uncomfortable as these restrictions have been we have no option than to stay the course. these restrictions will not be a permanent feature of our lives...".

According to him, "Tracing, testing and treating is our surest way of fighting the virus . . . the rapid implementation of all policies have resulted in low infections and death rates; we certainly must be doing something right in Ghana."

"I am confident that we will overcome this pandemic. This too shall pass," he said.

Ghana's COVID-19 case count has increased to 4,700 with 494 recoveries and 22 deaths according to the latest update by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and announced by President Akufo-Addo on Sunday, May 10, 2020, in his 9th address to the nation on the state of the country's Coronavirus.

He said of the 22 deaths, virtually all of them were with an underlying illness such as hypertension, diabetes and chronic liver disease.

5 more persons are said to be critically or moderately ill, and 4,179 responding to treatment.

The country has so far conducted 160,501 tests.

He said it was important to stress that 533 out of the 921 new cases recorded between last Wednesday and Thursday are factory workers from a fish processing factory located in Tema. He said all 533 persons were infected by one person.

He reiterated that the new 921 cases announced last Friday, May 8 was from backlogs dating as far back as 26th April, and not necessarily over a 24 hor window.

Ban on Public Gatherings

However, the ban on all public gatherings as declared by President Akufo-Addo on March 15, 2020, in a televised broadcast, which included conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, political rallies, church activities, and other related events as part of measures to stop the spread of coronavirus in the country has been extended till 31st May 2020.

However, private burials are permitted, but with limited numbers, not exceeding twenty-five (25) in attendance.

Watch President Akufo-Addo's 9th address below



Ghana Medical Association's appeal to extend the ban on public gatherings

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) had earlier in a press release cautioned the government about the dire consequences the lifting of the ban on social gatherings for religious activities, schools, marriage ceremonies, funerals etc. will have on the country amid the spread of coronavirus in the country and world at large.

"His excellency the President of the Republic should not lift the ban on social gatherings for religious activities, schools, marriage ceremonies, funerals etc. Our international borders should also remain closed for now," a part of the statement said.

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) taking into consideration the number of new COVID-19 positive cases in the country (mostly community spread) and the seeming disregard for all the preventive measures put in place by large sections of the population, advised the government accordingly.

According to the GMA, the Government should strictly enforce all the preventive measures so far put in place to ensure compliance.