Former CJ Sophia Akuffo chairs COVID-19 fund

President Akufo-Addo has established a fund to help the fight against coronavirus.

The fund which has board of trustees will be chaired by former chief justice Sophia Akuffo.

“I am announcing tonight the establishment of a COVID-19 Fund, to be managed by an independent board of trustees, and chaired by former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, to receive contributions and donations from the public to assist in the welfare of the needy and the vulnerable.

“I have directed the Controller and Accountant General to pay my next three months’ salary, i.e. April, May and June, into this Fund. Let me also thank, from the bottom of my heart, the churches, financial institutions and individuals who have already made donations to help in this fight. God richly bless them,” the President announced in a national address Friday evening.

Additionally, the President has ordered the lockdown of Accra and Kumasi for two weeks as part of the government’s efforts to mitigate the spread of coronavirus in Ghana.

The lockdown will also affect the Senya Breku municipality in the Central region.

The lockdown takes effect Monday dawn with essential workers exempted from the temporary measures announced by the President.

Below is a summary of the Restrictions Imposed on Selected Areas in Ghana by Government for 2 weeks.

2.In Greater Accra, the following areas will be affected:
– Accra Metropolis
-Tema Metropolis
-Tema West
-Kpone Katamanso
-Krowor
-Ledzokuku
-Adentan
– Ashiaman
La-Nkwantanang-Madina
-La-Dade-Kotopon
-Okaikwei North
-Ablekuma North
-Ablekuma West
-Ablekuma Central
-Ayawaso East
-Ayawaso North
-Ayawaso West
-Ayawaso Central
-Ga North
-Ga West
-Ga South
-Ga Central
Ga East
-Korle-Klottey
-Weija/Gbawe
-Awutu Senya East

3.In the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area the following areas are affected:
*Kumasi Metropolis;
*Asokwa
* Suame
*Old Tafo
*Oforikrom
*Asokore Mampong
*Kwadaso
*Atwima Nwabiagya
*Kwabre East
*Ejisu
*Afigya-Kwabre South
*Bosomtwe
*Atwima Kwanwoma
*Atwima Nwabiagya North

4.This means that everyone resident in these areas must stay at home for the next two weeks or 14 days, However, if you must go out, it must only be to get essential items such as food, water, medicine, undertake banking transactions, or to use public toilet facilities. But, as much as possible, stay at home.

5.There shall be, during this period, no inter-city movement of vehicles and aircraft for private or commercial purposes for the areas of the restrictive measures, except for vehicles and aircrafts providing essential services and those carrying cargo.

6.-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.

7. All commercial vehicle stations shall observe appropriate hygiene protocols and social distancing.

8.Individuals and institutions providing the following services shall be exempted from the restrictions: Members of the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary; Production, distribution and marketing of food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, medicine, paper and plastic packages.

Environmental and sanitation activities; VALCO staff, Road and Railway, construction workers; Mining workers; Fisherfolk; Members of the security agencies assigned lawful duties. The staff of electricity, water, telecommunications, e-commerce and digital service providers and Fuel stations staff.

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh