The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed worry over the incessant aiding of foreign nationals into Ghana by some citizens, using illegal routes.
According to the President, such acts are unpatriotic and also thwart the efforts of the government against the deadly novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
President Akufo-Addo said these on Sunday in his 8th address to the nation on measures being put in place to contain the spread of the COVID-19.
He said: “This is the time for sacrifice, so that we do not have to bear a greater cost in the future. Unhappily, there continues to be the worrying news of a few Ghanaians aiding some West African nationals to enter our country illegally, despite the closure of our borders. Even more disturbing is the fact that several of the West Africans, who have been arrested, have later tested positive for the virus.”
He continued: “These are unpatriotic acts, and must stop. We cannot continue to allow a few persons, who are motivated by their own selfish, money-making interests, to endanger the lives of the rest of the population. Not only will persons who enter our country illegally be strictly dealt with, but so will Ghanaians who facilitate their entry. As I have said before, being a Ghanaian must mean that we look out for each other.”
The admonishment follows reports of arrests made at the various borders across the country, with some of these people testing positive for the virus, after mandatory quarantine and testing.
President Akufo-Addo also said apart from the incentive package given to all health workers, the government has enabled domestic production and supply of protective equipment to health workers to increase significantly.
He said they had received, in recent days, 905,031 nose masks, 31,630 medical scrubs, 31,472 gowns, 46,870 head covers, and 83,500 N-95 face masks.
Before the address of the President, there were mixed expectations from Ghanaians on what he would do this time. Whereas some people expected the ban on social gatherings to be lifted, others thought otherwise.
Within the past week, President Akufo-Addo met with all key stakeholders, including Christian and Muslim leaders, to discuss the way forward with regards to the existing measures.
According to President Akufo-Addo, the strong consensus that emerged from these and other consultations is that the existing measures must be maintained for now, until the government had a firm grip on the movement of the virus.
This consensus, President Akufo-Addo noted, is supported by data and science. “I have, accordingly, by Executive Instrument, extended for another two weeks the suspension of all public and social gatherings, as set out in E.I 64 of 15th March, 2020, effective tomorrow, 1am, Monday, 27th April,” he announced.
The post Your money-making interests should not endanger Ghanaians -Prez appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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