Lifting of ban: Akufo-Addo urges aggressive use of face masks

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called for aggressive use of face masks as he lifts the ban imposed on the movement of persons within some parts of Greater Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Greater Kumasi.

He appealed to Ghanaians to wear the face masks and ensure adherence to the social distancing directive in line with WHO protocols.

Akufo-Addo noted that the Ministry of Health will issue guidelines in due course on the use of face masks.

"Like the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently advised, I want to encourage you to wear a mask wherever you go, as it will help you not to contract the virus, and keep it clean. If you own a business, or are providing a service, i.e. a barber, a hairdresser, a tailor, a taxi driver, a trotro driver and his ‘mate’, a shop keeper, a food seller, please do well to use a mask," he stated during his live televised address to the nation on Sunday, April 19, 2020.

Government lifts ban on movement

The President has lifted restrictions imposed on the movement of persons within some parts of Greater Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Greater Kumasi.

This decision, according to him is to give the government the opportunity to try to contain the spread of the virus, scale-up effectively the tracing of persons who had come into contact with infected persons, test them for the virus, and quarantine those who tested positive and isolate them for treatment.

Although the lifting of the restrictions may come as a reprieve to the many whose livelihoods may have been hit hard following the imposition, access to some major sectors remains restricted.

Four major cities, Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Kasoa, had been placed under a three-week lockdown purposely to hold the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

Despite the lifting of the lockdown, Ghana’s borders will remain closed. The ban on social gatherings of not more than 25 persons is also still in place.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo observed that “lifting these restrictions does not mean we are letting our guard down.”

“I am demanding even greater adherence to these measures,” he stressed.

Watch the President's full address below.