Akufo-Addo extends border closure by 2 more weeks

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has further extended the closure of Ghana's borders by an additional two-week period.

This was announced by the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah via his social media handle.

“Hi Folks, President @NAkufoAddo has by a new executive instrument, EI 66, extended the closure of Ghana’s borders by another two weeks effective midnight tomorrow April 5." Oppong Nkrumah’s post on Twitter read.

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah explained that the move is to ensure that the risk of importation of covid-19 cases will remain curtailed while government focuses on the enhanced tracing and testing program currently underway.

"Mr President believes that these tough decisions are necessary to protect the lives of Ghanaians despite the inconvenience it causes to many."

The post added, "We continue to thank essential service providers who are at the frontlines of this covid-19 response program. We also thank the people of Ghana for their cooperation thus far. #ThisTooShallPass"

See the tweets below

Hi Folks, President @NAkufoAddo has by a new executive instrument, EI 66, extended the closure of Ghana’s borders by another two weeks effective midnight tomorrow April 5.

— Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (@konkrumah) April 4, 2020

Mr President believes that these tough decisions are necessary to protect the lives of Ghanaians despite the inconvenience it causes to many.

— Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (@konkrumah) April 4, 2020

We continue to thank essential service providers who are at the frontlines of this covid-19 response program. We also thank the people of Ghana for their cooperation thus far. #ThisTooShallPass

— Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (@konkrumah) April 4, 2020

First border closure

The president ordered the first closure of Ghana’s borders on Sunday, March 22, 2020. This was intended to curb the escalation of the Coronavirus infection rate in the country.

“Anybody who comes into the country, before midnight on Sunday, will be mandatorily quarantined and tested for the virus."

President Akufo-Addo announced during his broadcast to the nation on Saturday, March 21, 2020.

He said all the country's borders- land, air and sea- will be closed at midnight on Sunday.

"Anyone who comes will be quarantined for 14days. The closure will, however, not apply to goods, supplies, and cargo," he added

Meanwhile, the Ghana Health Service yesterday announced Ghana has since recorded 205 coronavirus cases with a death toll of five as at April 3.