Coronavirus: Don’t waste money stocking food – Agric Minister

Minister for Agriculture Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto has advised Ghanaians against panic-buying in the wake of the lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic.

Several markets in Accra and Kumasi recorded high patronage over the weekend as residents rushed to markets to purchase consumables in preparation for the two weeks lockdown announced by President Akufo-Addo last Friday.

Consumers have also complained of racketeering by traders as a result of high demand.

But addressing the matter at a news conference in Accra Monday, the Agri minister there is enough food for Ghanaians during and after the lockdown period.

“Don’t waste your money on unnecessary stock of food because the food will always be there. There is no need to stock up…Prices which has spiked over the weekend I can assure you by Monday is going to come down,” he said.

Ghana’s COVID-19 cases have jumped to 152 with 10 new confirmation in Tamale as at Sunday, March 29,

The death toll still stands at five.

“Ten (10) of the new cases were among persons who were under mandatory quarantine in Tamale under the direction of the Regional Security Committee of the Northern Region.

The 10 cases were Guinean residents who travelled through Burkina Faso and Togo to Ghana and were picked following intelligence report. The eleventh case was recorded in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region,” the Ghana Health Service announced.