Dear GhanaWeb reader,
Late President Jerry John Rawlings received a befitting state burial last week ending the series of major national events since the December elections. Coronavirus was on the blind side of these events that were successfully held without malice.
However, malice befell Ghanaians as 64 more people died of the virus over the last two weeks, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to 416. Ghana’s average daily rates of infection now stand at 700, compared to 200 two weeks ago.
The hospitals are all full and according to President Nana Akufo-Addo, the total number of active cases has more than doubled from a little over 1,900 two weeks ago, to 5,358 currently. This spike has been attributed to social activities of Ghanaians without respect for the coronavirus protocols.
This declaration was made late last year by Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and repeated this week by former deputy health minister, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, claiming that data available to the government doesn’t support any suggestion that political activities caused the increase in numbers.
This claim was refuted by many Ghanaians who believe politicians relaxed the rules to benefit them and then enforced them at their convenience. While this debate rages on, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reintroduced restrictions on funerals, weddings, concerts, theatrical performances and parties, until further notice.
He also indicated that private burials with no more than 25 people can take place, with the enforcement of social distancing, hygiene and mask-wearing protocols. Beaches, night clubs, cinemas, and pubs will continue to be shut and borders by land and sea will remain closed. Law enforcement agents will not spare violators of these protocols.
The 2020 election petition hearing is also ongoing with little social distancing. GhanaWeb will be here to give you all the news and updates from the grounds to the courts, the parliament, presidency, regions, schools, hospitals and everywhere necessary. We will also be streaming LIVE all day on GhanaWeb TV on www.ghanaweb.com and on YouTube.
GhanaWeb: Your most dependable news and online advertising partner!
Ismail Akwei
Editor-in-Chief
GhanaWeb