Ghana and Gabon suspend foreign trips for officials

Ghanaian public officials and Gabonese MPs have been temporarily banned from travelling out of their countries in measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo temporarily suspended foreign travel through a letter issued by his chief of staff, reports the BBC's Thomas Naadi in the capital, Accra.

Akusua Frema Osei-Opare's letter stated that only essential and critical trips by public officials would be considered and approved.

In Gabon, the parliamentary speaker Faustin Boukoubi has suspended all foreign trips by MPs.

In a memo sent to legislators the speaker said all travel on behalf of the assembly had been suspended until further notice.

Both advisories stated that the suspension of foreign trips was a precautionary measure.

There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ghana or Gabon.

Both countries have been running public announcements urging citizens to wash their hands frequently and avoid handshakes and hugs in the wake of coronavirus.

Ghana neighbours Burkina Faso and Togo, both of which have recorded positive cases of the virus.

Gabon shares a border with Cameroon where two cases of coronavirus have been confirmed.