'Lock down Ghana' - Ghanaian social media users mount pressure on govt

With a sharp increase in the number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in Ghana, social media users are mounting pressure on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to lock down the country.

This morning, Health Minister Kwaku Agyemang Manu speaking at a presser disclosed that the number of coronavirus cases in Ghana has risen from 27 to 52.

"Out of the 185 test results received, we have 25 of those quarantined tested positive. If you add on to the earlier number of 27, it means we have 52 tested positive in our country at the moment. Those in quarantine, we have actually deployed psychologists to have chats with them.

We are also in the process of handing them over to our case management teams we have set up. We have started taking them to isolated centers for case management. Out of the 52 confirmed cases, two persons have died", he added.

It is on this backdrop, that social media users are calling on the president to lock down the country in order to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Read some of the reactions below:

52 coronavirus cases confirmed in Ghana
What exactly is keeping this president from the lockdown?? Did he truly care for the lives of the citizens ?? #COVID?19#LockdownGhana

— Dela Demigod???????????????? (@SeshieDela) March 24, 2020

@NAkufoAddo
Please just lockdown the country.
That'll be good for us all.

From 27 to 52 is a bad sign. #COVID?19 #sakai #lockdowngh#LockdownGhana

— King Of Shilo ???? (@ohene_of_shilo) March 24, 2020

When the cases rise you are going to still lockdown the country. So why not lock it down now to prevent cases from rising. We told the president same with the borders when we had just 2 cases and he didn't listen now look. Our President is not SMART at all. #LockdownGhana #Ghana

— Hendrixdior (@hendrixdior) March 24, 2020

let's prepare for a lockdown then, I know it will be unbearable for most of the populace but this is serious. Our f**kd up systems (especially ghana water and ecg) won't make it any easier. Perhaps after this we will get our priorities as a nation straight.#LockdownGhana

— scare crow (@weaverdave99) March 24, 2020

We need to have a lock down#LockdownGhana

— Amoak Awonmaami Derrick (@awonmaami) March 24, 2020

The number of people who have tested positive for #Covid-19 has ballooned from 27 to 52 in Ghana. It's gradually getting out of hands????????#LockdownGhana

— raymond karvi (@sportstabletgh) March 24, 2020

From 27 to 52
Corona virus cases
Rises to
52
???????????????????? #LockdownGhana

— Aboagye ???? (@1aboagye_eric_) March 24, 2020

There must be a partial lockdown for now because upon all the suggested reasons why we shouldn’t #LockdownGhana, if our numbers reaches 5000 we will have no choice and it would be too late. The government must also help communities with food during this lockdown. Stock up Banku????

— Nii_Arkhigh (@iamnettey) March 24, 2020

Lots of people are asking and suggesting for a lock down but how many of you have thought about the implications on the lives of poor and people who strive for even a single meal a day? #LockdownGhana

— SAVE GHANA GOD ?????????? (@BraKofiSarkcess) March 24, 2020

We took COVID-19 for fun and it is wide spreading, it's time we get serious as citizens.

I spoke to a guy yesterday and according to him there's No Corona Virus in Ghana.

52 and counting

#LockdownGhana

— Riches (@ahiakah_richard) March 24, 2020

Like the way the virus dey spread Mr.President pls #lockdownGhana

— El_Presidento_Escobar (@iamthe_future9) March 24, 2020

Imagine being against a lockdown because there are poor people who won't have anything to eat

So you guys actually prefer having hundreds of cases and more deaths? Because poor people should eat?...ah chaley#LockdownGhana

— b33ma tenten (@KZharque) March 24, 2020

Ghanaians are difficult people to deal with aswear. Everything you do they'll still have problem with it. They'll still have an issue when Ghana is lock down ??????? God save ???????? #LockdownGhana

— Owura (@OwuraBas) March 24, 2020

52 cases and you still think #LockdownGhana is not our only option?
Convert churches to safe houses, move people from the street and provide them shelter....
You see what is happening with Italy?, let's not wait and regret!
Fuckin #LockdownNow

— Dr. Ernest Berko Pabi ???????????????????????? (@Ernest_pabi) March 24, 2020

Per public health principles, it will be in the country’s best interest to lockdown, says the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Aboagye.

According to the Director-General of GHS, it will be prudent for Ghana to take cues from countries who have shut down as the country keeps recording overnight surge in the coronavirus cases.

He said this on News File on Joy News, Saturday, March 21, 2020.