ghananlpcommunity/ghana-gov-speeches-sentences huggingface dataset:
It is, therefore, incumbent on us to continue to be vigilant about travelers into our country until further notice, and to congratulate the men and women of the Immigration Service and the Marine Police Unit for their work in securing our borders.
The arrest of 10 West African nationals in Tamale who all tested positive for the virus; the arrest of the six Nigerian travellers who entered Ghana through unapproved routes along the Ghana-Togo border near Aflao, who also tested positive for the virus; and the recent arrest of 10 fishermen in the Western Region, who returned from Cote d'Ivoire and have been quarantined, testify to the determination of our security services to protect our borders.
I have, thus, signed an Executive Instrument, to extend the closure of our borders for two more weeks, beginning Monday, 20th April.
Like the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently advised, I want to encourage you to wear a mask wherever you go, as it will help you not to contract the virus, and keep it clean.
If you own a business, or are providing a service, i.e.
a barber, a hairdresser, a tailor, a taxi driver, a trotro driver and his ‘mate’, a shop keeper, a food seller, please do well to use a mask.
The Ministry of Health will very soon issue guidelines on face masks for public use.
I entreat religious, traditional, community and opinion leaders to partner with government in engaging, mobilising and enforcing adherence to social distancing and personal hygiene practices in their respective communities.
As difficult as it may be, I encourage all bereaved persons to conduct private burials of their loved ones, but ensure that the twenty-five (25) person limit is not breached.
Indeed, some are burying their loved ones now, in order to have the final funeral rites later.
The morgues in the country are becoming full, and will, in themselves, soon pose a public health hazard.
So, let us act quickly on this.
As the days go by, and as we continue to sustain a grip on the rapid spread of the virus, the systematic easing of these restrictions will be undertaken to bring life back to normalcy.
Definitely, we will continue to record new cases of infections, particularly with our policy of aggressive tracing and testing.
However, I want to assure you that Government has put in place the appropriate measures to isolate and treat them.
Should there be an unexpected outburst in infections within a community, I have put the health workers and the security services, including the Police Service and the Armed Forces, on standby, to co-ordinate a rapid response of human and logistical resources, if necessary, to cordon, impose a curfew, trace, test, and treat infected persons in the affected community.
Indeed, the focus of Government’s policy and action will be based on the implementation of the 3Ts, i.e.
tracing, testing and treating.
In any event, stay at home, unless it is absolutely essential.
The movement of foodstuffs will continue from producing areas to the markets, and, with the intervention of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, the markets would be better organised for the sale of foodstuffs.
Fellow Ghanaians, as we fight to halt the spread of the virus, we are also engaged in fights on two other fronts – fights we must equally win.
Firstly, there continues to be the deliberate dissemination of fake news, disinformation and outright lies by some unpatriotic citizens about the spread of the virus since its outbreak in the country.
These acts are being orchestrated by those who hope to benefit by seeking to sow the seeds of panic and confusion amongst the populace at this time of national crisis.
I have an unequivocal message for those involved in these despicable acts – put an immediate stop to it, or be held accountable for your actions.
Secondly, as has been aptly stated by the Ghana Medical Association, being infected by the Coronavirus is not necessarily a death sentence.
I have noticed, with great concern, the stories of some persons, who have recovered from the virus, now being confronted with another problem, i.e.
stigmatization.
This is not right, as it will rather drive people away from getting screened, tested and treated.
The stigmatization of recovered persons must stop, because if the virus did not end their lives and livelihoods, the stigma from members of their communities should not.
I know the effects of the measures to contain the virus have been difficult for many, and that is why I mandated the creation of the GH¢1.2 billion Coronavirus Alleviation Programme to support households and businesses.
Out of this amount, ¢280 million is being used to provide food for the vulnerable and free water for all Ghanaians for three months, i.e.
April, May and June, ¢323 million is being used to motivate our health workers, and ¢600 million of assistance is being provided to micro, small and medium-scale businesses.
I expect disbursements of the six hundred million cedis to start in May.
Further, Government is fully absorbing electricity bills for one million active lifeline customers and is granting a 50% subsidy on electricity bills of all other customers, using their March 2020 bill as their benchmark, for the months of April, May and June.
In total, the relief on electricity will amount to some ¢1.02 billion.
Again, Government, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture through the National Buffer Stock Company, in collaboration with the MMDCEs and the District Disaster Management Committees, has provided over 2.5 million cooked food packs to vulnerable persons in the affected districts of Accra and Kumasi.
Dry food packs have also been distributed, in collaboration with the faith-based organisations, to 470,000 families in the same areas, as against the original target of 400,000.
I express my profound gratitude to the private sector and faithbased organisations, and traditional authorities for their support in this endeavour.
I also commend highly the many individuals and private organisations who, on their own, organised hot meals and fed a number of vulnerable people within the restricted areas.
To these individuals, ayekoo for being good neighbours to your fellow Ghanaians.
As we continue to battle this pandemic, it is imperative we plan to restore Ghana onto a sound economic footing, and create a path towards growth and transformation.
The recent one billion United States dollar Rapid Credit Facility, secured from the IMF, without any precondition, and approved by Parliament, will be used to help close the financing gap that has been created by the pandemic through shortfalls in revenues and additional expenditures.
I welcome the ¢3 billion credit and stimulus package from the commercial banks, with the support of the Bank of Ghana, to revitalise industries, especially in the pharmaceutical, hospitality, services, and manufacturing sectors.
The Minister for Finance, that hardworking, outstanding national treasurer, together with his counterpart in South Africa, as co-Chairs of the Committee of African Finance Ministers, have been leading a Pan-African effort to bring debt relief to the continent in these difficult times.
Last Friday, they achieved a nine-month debt standstill from the World Bank for all qualifying members of the International Development Association (IDA), starting from May 1, 2020, totalling some $44 billion for the countries of Africa.
In the case of Ghana, this amounts to a freeze in principal and interest payments for the year, amounting to some $500 million.
This will create greater fiscal space to help make the Ghanaian economy much more resilient.
I have charged the Finance Minister to leave no stone unturned to achieve an even greater and comprehensive debt relief programme for Africa.
Our success in defeating the virus is largely within our control.
That means each and every one of us must exercise, at all times, during this period without the partial lockdown in Accra and Kumasi, a strong sense of selflessness, self-control and self-discipline.
It is important to stress strongly that coming out of the partial lockdown in Accra and Kumasi does not mean we are out of the pandemic.
We will continue to monitor closely events in some hotspots in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area like Weija Gbawe, Ga East, and Ayawaso East Municipalities, and Tema Metropolis, and in the Eastern Region, like Asuoygaman and Lower Manya Krobo Districts.
Whenever the situation so warrants, a community in which the virus is identified as becoming prevalent will be locked-down, until there is a clear understanding of the trajectory of the virus that will allow us to contain it.
We must obey the measures still in place, including the new ones, because we know our survival depends on them, and, the harder we are on ourselves in obeying them, the quicker and more enduring will be the victory.
To Ghanaians in all parts of the world, I urge you to remain steadfast in abiding by the rules and regulations that have been put in place by your host countries to combat the virus, and I extend the condolences of all your compatriots at home to all families abroad who have lost their loved ones to the virus.
And, I take this opportunity to wish our High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland, my good friend, Papa Owusu Ankomah, who has been affected by the virus, and other Ghanaians abroad who have been so-affected, a speedy recovery.
This disease is new, it is in plain evolution, and there is, therefore, as yet, no vaccine or cure.
But we know enough to take action, and we shall be nimble and adapt as the situation changes.
We will tailor our solutions to our unique social, economic and cultural conditions.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but I pledge to you that Government will do whatever is required, in our particular circumstances, to safeguard the lives of our people, and keep our economy going.
Discipline, self-discipline, is that strong bridge that all of us, from the safety of our homes, in our workplaces, and in our communities, must build.
We need to build a strong bridge of self-discipline in order for us to cross over from this difficult period of restrictions and the spread of the Coronavirus to the other side, where total freedom to go about our normal lives awaits us.
To defeat the virus, and get there, we have to accept that we have to wash our hands, maintain good hygiene, refrain from shaking hands, wear our masks, and practice social distancing in all of our engagements.
Fellow Ghanaians, we are confronting one of the greatest challenges of our generation.
We have to win this battle.
We have to defeat the virus.
It is our behaviour and response that will determine that.
I have every confidence that, collectively, we, Ghanaians, have it in us to rise to the occasion and become victorious.
I am very grateful for the great support you have given my Government and I, as we steer our country out of this crisis.
Continue in unity to provide that support.
This, too, shall pass, for the Battle is the Lord’s.
Me da moa se paa, mon kɔ so ntie masɛm, na yɛn nyinaa ndi nkunim.
Min da nyɛ shi waa, nyɛ yaa nɔ ni yɛ boa nwiemɔ tuɛ, koni wɔ fɛɛ wɔ ye nkuni.
Below is the full text of the President's fourth national televised address to the nation on the coronavirus pandemic.
Address to the Nation by President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on updates to Ghana’s enhanced response to the coronavirus pandemic, on Friday, 27th March 2020 Fellow Ghanaians, good evening.
I have come to your homes, once again, as promised, on the matter which continues to grip not only the attention of the nation, but also of the entire world – the Coronavirus pandemic.
At the time of my last broadcast, some six (6) days ago, Ghana had recorded twenty-one (21) confirmed cases of infections, with virtually all the cases being imported.
I took the step to close all our borders, and I ordered a mandatory quarantine and testing of all the one thousand and thirty (1,030) persons who arrived at the airport at the time of the announcement till the day the borders were closed.
Indeed, seventy-eight (78) of the persons put under quarantine have since tested positive for the virus.
It is these additional confirmations that have increased dramatically our total number of cases to one hundred and thirty-seven (137).
Indeed, 97% of all confirmed cases are travelers who brought the disease from outside our shores.
Of the remaining fifty-nine (59) confirmed cases, fifty-three (53) are receiving treatment and are doing well, and they will be discharged should their second test results prove negative.
Fourteen (14) of them are being managed at home in self-isolation.
Four (4) persons, who had tested positive for the virus, but were aged and had other serious, underlying medical conditions, have lost their lives.
Thankfully, two (2) persons have made full recoveries.
Fellow Ghanaians, the oath of office I swore on 7th January, 2017 demands that I dedicate myself to the service and well-being of you, the Ghanaian people.
It is my job to protect you, and I am determined to do just that.
As I have said before, all that Government is doing is intended to achieve five (5) key objectives – 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.
Thus far, we have succeeded in halting any more importations of the virus into our country, and I thank the overwhelming majority of you for adhering to the good hygiene and social distancing protocols announced in my first broadcast to you.
However, prevailing circumstances mean that stricter measures have to be put in place to contain and halt the spread of the virus within our country, especially in Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Kumasi, which have been identified by the Ghana Health Service as the “hotspots” of the infections.
In doing this, we cannot afford to copy blindly, and do all the things some other well-developed countries are doing.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to this pandemic.
We have a unique situation in our country, and we must take it into account in dealing with the disease, whilst meeting all the six (6) key WHO guidelines on the most effective ways of combating the pandemic.
Even though it may be said that the number of our infections is still, relatively, low, if we act now purposefully, we have a chance of preventing an escalation of our numbers.
So, effective 1am on Monday, 30th March, some forty-eight hours from now, I have imposed, pursuant to the powers granted the President of the Republic, under the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012), restrictions on movement of persons in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA, which includes Awutu Senya East), and the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area and contiguous districts, for a period of two (2) weeks, subject to review.
It will give us the opportunity to try to halt the spread of the virus, and scale-up effectively contact tracing of persons who have come into contact with infected persons, test them for the virus, and, if necessary, quarantine and isolate them for treatment, should they prove to have the virus.
In Greater Accra, the following areas will be affected: 1.
Accra Metropolis; 2.
Tema Metropolis; 3.
Tema West Municipality; 4.
Ledzokuku Municipality; 5.
Krowor Municipality; 6.
Adentan Municipality; 7.
Ashiaman Municipality; 8.
La-Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality; 9.
La-Dade-Kotopon Municipality; 10.
Okaikwei North Municipality; 11.
Ablekuma North Municipality; 12.
Ablekuma West Municipality; 13.
Ablekuma Central Municipality; 14.
Ayawaso East Municipality; 15.
Ayawaso North Municipality; 16.
Ayawaso West Municipality; 17.
Ayawaso Central Municipality 18.
Ga West Municipality; 19.
Ga North Municipality; 20.
Ga Central Municipality; 21.
Ga South Municipality; 22.
Ga East Municipality; 23.
Korle-Klottey Municipality; 24.
Weija/Gbawe Municipality; 25.
Kpone Katamanso Municipality; and 26.
Awutu Senya East Municipality.
In the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area and contiguous districts, the following areas are affected: 1.
Kumasi Metropolis; 2.
Asokwa Municipality; 3.
Suame Municipality; 4.
Old Tafo Municipality; 5.
Oforikrom Municipality; 6.
Asokore Mampong Municipality; 7.
Kwadaso Municipality; 8.
Atwima Nwabiagya Municipality; 9.
Kwabre East Municipality; 10.
Ejisu Municipality; 11.
Afigya-Kwabre South District; 12.
Bosomtwi District; 13.
Atwima Kwanwoma District; and 14.
Atwima Nwabiagya North District.
This, in essence, means that everyone resident in these areas must stay at home for the next two weeks.
However, if you must go out, it must only be to get essential items such as food, medicine, water, undertake banking transactions, or to use public toilet facilities.
But, as much as possible, stay at home.
There shall be, during this period, no inter-city movement of vehicles and aircrafts for private or commercial purposes for the areas of the restrictive measures, except for vehicles and aircrafts providing essential services and those carrying cargo.
Riders of motorbikes are not allowed to carry any additional person, and all intra-city passenger vehicles, such as trotros and taxis, must reduce the number of passengers in order to observe appropriate social distancing and hygiene protocols.
Additionally, all commercial vehicle stations shall observe appropriate hygiene protocols and social distancing.
The Ministry of Transport has engaged the transport operators and unions in this regard.
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has also engaged with the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and the leaders of the market associations in the country to make satisfactory arrangements about the operation of the markets that ensure observance of social distancing and enhanced hygiene protocols.
In any event, only persons involved in the food value chain can operate in the markets during this period.
Individuals and institutions providing the following services shall be exempted from the restrictions: i Members of the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary; ii production, distribution and marketing of food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, medicine, paper and plastic packages; iii environmental and sanitation activities; iv staff of VALCO; v road and railway construction workers; vi mining workers; vii fisherfolk; viii members of the security agencies assigned lawful duties; ix staff of electricity, water, telecommunications, e-commerce and digital service providers; and x staff of fuel stations.
Fellow Ghanaians, to accelerate the contact tracing process, and ensure we curtail the spread of the virus in the shortest time, we will use the military and police to assist health authorities to expediate the process.
We will also pursue a policy of testing ALL CONTACTS of people tested positive.
The affected areas, and, indeed, all other regions have earmarked designated isolation and treatment centres for the management of suspected and confirmed cases, as well as the selection of facilities for mandatory quarantine is being carried out.
An intensive public health education and community awareness on social distancing and hand washing will be carried out.
It is very important that we protect all healthcare providers with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs)to make sure they do not contract the virus in the process of protecting our lives.
Government has, therefore, taken delivery of additional PPEs and more are being procured.
Distribution of seventeen thousand (17,000) coveralls, three hundred and fifty thousand (350,000) masks, seventeen thousand (17,000) goggles, two thousand four hundred (2,400) non-contact thermometers, three hundred and fifty thousand (350,000) gloves, twenty-five thousand (25,000) sanitsers, and thirty-thousand (30,000) tests kits are ongoing for healthcare personnel and those undertaking contact tracing and testing.
We are recruiting one thousand (1,000) community health workers and an additional thousand (1,000) volunteers to help in this endeavour.
One hundred pick-up vehicles and two thousand, five hundred (2,500) tablets have been mobilized for the exercise.
Fellow Ghanaians, I am urging all of you to bear with these additional measures.
They are being done in the interest of all of us.
They are, hopefully, only for a short while.
These additional measures, together with those earlier announced, are what will help us defeat the virus.
And, we must be united in our determination and efforts to overcome this challenge.
This, certainly, is not the time for politicking or the display of partisanship.
The virus does not care which party you belong to, neither is it, as we have seen, a respecter of persons.
The enemy is the virus, and not each other.
As I have stated in my earlier broadcasts, all the measures I have announced tonight will be subject to constant review.
Fellow Ghanaians, we are in this together, and Government will stand by you.
We are aware that there will be discomfort and difficulties for all of us over the next couple of weeks.
As a responsive Government, we will continue to implement bold measures to mitigate the impact of the Coronavirus on businesses and households and ensure that job losses are minimized.
The Minister for Finance has been directed by me to prepare, for approval by Parliament, a Coronavirus Alleviation Programme to address the disruption in economic activities, the hardship of our people, and to rescue and revitalize our industries.
He will, then, immediately make available a minimum of one billion cedis (GH¢1 billion) to households and businesses, particularly small and medium scale enterprises.
The commercial banks are, in addition, responding to the Bank of Ghana’s 1.5% decrease in the Policy Pate and 2% in reserve requirement with a three billion-cedi (GH¢3 billion) facility, to support industry especially in the pharmaceutical, hospitality, service and manufacturing sectors.
We are providing additional relief, such as extension of the tax filing date from April to June; a two percent (2%) reduction of interest rates by banks, effective 1st April, 2020; the granting by the banks of a six (6) month moratorium of principal repayments to entities in the airline and hospitality industries, i.e.
hotels, restaurants, car rentals, food vendors, taxis, and uber operators.
All other sector credit exposures will be reviewed on a case by case basis; mobile money users can send up to one hundred cedis (GH¢100) for free; and a one hundred percent (100%) to three hundred percent (300%) increase in the daily transaction limits for mobile money transactions Let me also reiterate that the ban on public gatherings, religious or social, is still in force.
Anyone, irrespective of status, religion or ethnicity, who is found to be flouting them will be dealt with fully in accordance with law.
The security services have been clothed with the necessary power to enforce these measures, and I assure you that they will do so responsibly, but without fear or favour, ill-will or malice.
Fellow Ghanaians, with the Bank of Ghana predicting a worst-case GDP growth rate scenario of 2.5% for 2020, should the virus continue to linger for the rest of the year, the effects on our economy would be dire.
However, as we have demonstrated over the course of the last three years, where we inherited an economy that was growing at 3.4% and transformed it into one which has grown by an average of 7% over the last three (3) years, I assure you that we know what to do to bring back our economy back to life.
What we do not know how to do is to bring people back to life.
We will, therefore, protect people’s lives, then their livelihoods.
For the next two weeks, I urge all of you, especially residents in the affected areas of Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi, to be reminded, every day, that the frontline of the fight against Coronavirus is your front door.
If you cross it, you and your family will likely be infected.
So, please, stay at home.