Don’t sacrifice our economy because of coronavirus - Prof. Anokye to Akufo-Addo

The Chief Executive Officer of Koans Estates, Professor Kofi Anokye has advised President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to open our borders and lift the ban on all social gatherings.

He wants the ban to be lifted to allow businesses to start operations fully since we cannot sacrifice the growth of the economy because of the coronavirus.

He is wondering how long we will close our borders when the coronavirus has come to stay with us.

Professor Anokye is also advocating for schools to be reopened.

He said people will get the virus but it will not kill us like how it is killing foreigners.

"We cannot allow the fear for coronavirus to destroy our economy. It would be to our disadvantage. The fear of coronavirus is dangerous than the virus itself,” he noted.

He told Rainbow Radio’s Kwabena Agyapong that comparing coronavirus to meningitis he would conclude that the coronavirus is less dangerous.

”In fact, Ghana must not waste further resources on this because it has become part of us. We have to take advantage of this and grow the economy,” he stated.

He said the government must take advantage of the COVID-19 and devise ways and means of making the most out of the pandemic.

He said businesses shave lost a lot due to the closure of our borders and if the borders are not opened, we can give millions to businesses and yet, we will not achieve anything significant.

Meanwhile, Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo has hinted the final decision to ease the restrictions would be taken on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Information Ministry Tuesday morning, he said there would be a meeting on Friday, after which the government will take its final decision on life after Covid-19 and the way forward.

“On Friday, we’ll put all of this together and on the best advice available we will make the various decisions. Don’t forget that, in New York today, they are reducing the restrictions, Germany is reducing the restrictions, France is reducing the restrictions, even in the US, they are reducing the restrictions, which means that we must find a way of restoring the economic life in one way or the other, bearing in mind the need to ensure the safety of our citizens,” Mr Osafo Maafo said.