President Akufo-Addo is expected to meet leaders of political parties by the close of day, as Ghana battles the deadly corona virus.
The meeting is to ascertain possible ways to deal with the pandemic which has so far killed five (5) people and infected over two hundred (200) others.
President Akuffo-Addo earlier held discussions with the clergy, market women and transport operators and other stakeholders, to find measures of tackling the crisis in the country.
Today’s meeting will afford the President an opportunity to explain critical decisions taken by the government to stem the spread of the virus.
The President in his last address to the nation on Friday, March 27, had called for a pragmatic efforts to find a lasting solution to the disease devoid of partisan sentiments.
“The virus does not care which party you belong to, neither is it, as we have seen, a respecter of persons. The enemy is the virus and not each other”, the President stated.
WORLD BANK SUPPORTS GHANA WITH 100 MILLION DOLLAR GRANT
The World Bank is providing $100 million to Ghana to assist the country in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.
This $100 million will be made available to the government as short, medium and long-term support.
This financing package includes $35 million in emergency support to help the country provide improved response systems.
Under this emergency package, the World Bank will support the Government of Ghana to help prevent, detect, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic through the Ghana Emergency Preparedness and Response Project (EPRP).
The EPRP will help strengthen Ghana’s National Laboratories by providing robust systems for the early detection of COVID-19 cases and providing real-time disease surveillance and reporting systems of outbreaks.
It will also improve response systems by providing social and financial support and free health services to COVID-19 patients and families who are isolated or quarantined.
Finally, the project will focus on risk communications and community engagement for increased awareness and compliance with prevention measures engaging the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Information and other agencies.
“We are working with the government through this fast track facility to support the country’s efforts to slow transmission, prevent outbreaks and provide better-quality care for all patients, especially the seriously ill,” said World Bank Country Director, Pierre Laporte.
“It’s crucial that we all work together with other partners to help minimize the negative impact of the pandemic on health systems, social services and economic activities.”
In addition to the emergency facility, a $65 million contingency emergency response component was triggered from the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project (GARID).
This contingency financing will support critical activities such as laboratory equipment and chemicals, essential medical equipment and supplies including test kits and Personal Protection Equipment.
