Coronavirus: Take further bold and radical steps – Akufo-Addo urged

The Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) has expressed concerns if further steps are not taken “all the good efforts applied will come to nought and eventually our country will be consumed by this ravaging novel virus”.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Director of Research and Advocacy of the Bureau, Etornam Korda, said Ghana must be ahead of Coronavirus.

She said the periodic updates from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is inspiring but the latest update as regards the lockdown and the data on the spread of infections gives cause to worry.

The Bureau has therefore asked government to impose a 21-day lockdown across all the 16 regions, shore up tracing and testing capacity efforts, put more into education and monitor suspected cases to minimize frequent cases of escapes as well as expand testing sites across all the regions “within the shortest possible time”.

Ghana has so far confirmed 378 cases of the viral disease with six deaths. Four have, however, recovered.

On Thursday when he addressed the nation, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said his efforts at containing the spread of the virus have been “modestly successful”.

But the Bureau said it is better to impose other measures than wait for a disaster to happen.

“We therefore urge all Ghanaians to join us in the call for the extension of restricted movements across the country and support Government in these trying times.

“We further call on all citizens and residents to comply with the directives on restriction of movements; as our collective discipline remain key in this fight against the nCov-19.

“We encourage the men and officers in the law enforcement front to demonstrate tact and professionalism at all times in their enforcement duties.

“Indeed, these are not pleasant times and lockdowns/restrictions are costly both to the individual, business and the State, but the alternative is disaster that is even more costly.”