Earlier lockdown decision not influenced by number of cases – Information Minister

Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has justified President Akufo- Addo’s lifting of ban on a 3 week lockdown imposed in some parts of the country.

In an interview on ‘Pure Morning Drive’ hosted by Kwame Adinkrah on Monday, April 20, the Minister explained that earlier decision was not influenced by the number of cases but was to pave way for aggressive testing and contact tracing.

‘Kwame let me make this clear, the President never said he was locking down Accra and Kumasi because we’ve recorded more cases, I will plead with you to replay the address if you have for people to understand. If he had said the lockdown was effected because of the surge in numbers, then he would have repeated same yesterday. He said in plain language that he was locking down to pave way for health workers to continue aggressive testing and trace more contacts, and also to know how the virus operates, it’s dynamism, so we know how to fight it. A week ago in his address he said the health professionals weren’t done with investigations on the data and science. And it was extended by another week’.

According to the Minister, the President’s decision was influenced by several factors including science and data.

‘Yesterday, the president explained how data and science aid in arriving at this very conclusion. Ghana, our positivity rate is 1.5%. Health experts tells us that in reality that percentage can be deduced 0.9%. Now what science has taught us in order to win this fight is to stick to precautionary measures. He added. Meanwhile, Ghana’s Coronavirus cases have increased from 834 to 1,042 as announced by the President during his seventh address to the nation on the outbreak on Sunday, April 19.

However, the ease of restrictions, the President said, is in view of government’s ability to undertake aggressive contact tracing of infected persons among others.

Ghana’s borders will remain closed as ban on social gatherings, adherence to safety precautions still in place.