Coronavirus: Mandatory testing of all students not feasible - Kojo Oppong Nkrumah

Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, says calls for the government to conduct mandatory testing for COVID-19 on all students as a precursor to the opening of schools is not feasible considering how contraction and spread of the virus works.

Speaking on JoyNews before the president's address on Sunday night, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said whiles government continues to manage the spread of the virus and confirmed cases, it remains focused on applying strategic testing measures such as mass testing, contact tracing and enhanced surveillance which have so far proven to be effective.

"The bigger question is what optimally have to be put in place if students or some category of students are going to go back to school," the minister said.

According to the minister, considering that testing does not prove immunity against the virus or act as a preventive measure, it is more important to focus on the group of population who are at risk of contracting the virus in testing.

President Akufo-Addo has announced the easing of some restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Ghana.

The announcement includes the gradual reopening of schools starting from Monday, June 15, 2020.

"From Monday, 15th June, 2020, the decision has been taken, after engagement with the Teacher Unions whose co-operation I salute, to reopen schools and universities to allow for final-year junior high, senior high and university students to resume classes ahead of the conduct of their respective exit examinations. Indeed, final year university students are to report to their universities on 15th June; final year senior high school (SHS 3) students, together with SHS 2 Gold Track students, on 22nd June; and final-year junior high school (JHS 3) students on 29th June. JHS 3 classes will comprise a maximum of thirty (30) students; SHS classes a maximum of twenty-five (25) students; and University lectures will take place with half the class sizes. All final year students of educational and training institutions, which are being managed by Ministries other than the Education Ministry, are to return to school on 15th June to complete their exit examinations."