Here is President Akufo-Addo coronavirus pandemic 22nd address full speech
Fellow Ghanaians, good evening. Before I start, let me use this opportunity to thank you all and Almighty God for enabling me to swear, for the second time, the oath of office as President of the Republic. The ceremony took place after I last spoke to you. I promise I will do my very best to live up to your expectations. I am coming into your homes tonight with some rather unpleasant news. When I delivered Update No. 21, some two weeks ago, I urged all of us to continue adhering to the enhanced hygiene and mask-wearing protocols that have served us well, and which led us to the situation where we were witnessing a gradual decline in the number of active cases. However, since that time, we have seen an upsurge in the number of active cases, from a little over nine hundred (900) to one thousand, nine hundred and twenty-four (1,924). Our COVID-19 treatment centres have gone from having zero patients to now being full because of the upsurge in infections. Particularly worrying is the fact that the Ghana Health Service is recording, on the average, two hundred (200) new cases of COVID infections daily. The number of patients requiring hospitalisation and intensive care is rising. The number of severe cases, which stood at eighteen (18) a week ago, has increased sharply to one hundred and twenty (120). Two weeks ago, there was no critical case, we now have thirty-three (33) in our treatment facilities. Again, according to statistics from the Ghana Health Service, the considerable number of persons who are severely ill are, surprisingly, relatively youthful persons, with no previous underlying health conditions. The number of confirmed deaths has increased, sadly, from three hundred and thirty-eight (338) persons to three hundred and fifty-two (352) within the period. Recent genomic sequencing undertaken by our scientists have established that some arriving passengers tested positive for new variants of COVID-19. These passengers have all been isolated. Furthermore, work is ongoing to determine the presence and extent of spread of the new variants in the general population. Detailed investigations of the cases indicate that, apart from arriving passengers at our airport who tested positive, infected persons have recent histories of attending parties, weddings, end of year office programmes, family get-togethers, and funerals. At these gatherings, most of them abandoned the use of the masks, and were engaged in actions that led to them contracting the virus. Fellow Ghanaians, at this current rate, whereby thirteen (13) out of the sixteen (16) regions have recorded active cases, our healthcare infrastructure will be overwhelmed. If this situation continues, it will severely undermine the efforts Government is making to revitalize the economy, and put our nation back onto the path of progress and prosperity, following the ravages of the pandemic. On 7th January, as I said, I swore to “dedicate myself to the service and well-being of the people of the Republic of Ghana, and to do right to all manner of persons.” It is my duty to protect lives and livelihoods. In furtherance of this, I have instructed the Inspector General of Police to direct officers, men and women of the Police Service to ensure the rigorous enforcement of the law on mask wearing at all public places and in public transport. They are also to ensure the closure of all night clubs, pubs, cinemas and beaches that may be operating in defiance of the law. They will be assisted by the other security agencies, if need be. Persons in market places, work places, and operators of public transport must conduct their activities in accordance with the hygiene and safety protocols. The wearing of masks in these places is mandatory. Regulatory agencies will undertake random checks to ensure conformity with COVID-19 rules. Should any facility or institution fail to comply with these directives, its activities will be immediately prohibited, and appropriate sanctions applied. It is important that I remind all Ghanaians that severe punishments exist on our statute books for persons breaking the law on the mandatory wearing of masks. Should anyone be arrested by the security agencies disregarding this directive, that person will be dealt with strictly in accordance with law. We do not want to go back to the days of partial lockdowns, which had a negative impact on our economy and on our way of life. But should that become necessary, i.e., should the number of active cases continue to increase at the current rate, I will have no option but to re-impose these restrictions because it is better to be safe than to be sorry. So, together, let us all ensure that we respect the protocols. Government is intensifying its strategy of enhanced 3Ts, i.e. tracing, testing and treating, to allow us identify infected persons, isolate them, and treat them. A considerable number of contact tracers are being mobilised to follow up on contacts of all who test positive. All laboratories, public and private, must supply, in real time, data on all persons tested on the common platform established by the Ghana Health Service. There will be sanctions against laboratories who fail to comply. We have also provided additional logistics, including vehicles, to the Ghana Health Service for the supervision and monitoring of asymptomatic cases being managed from home. Additionally, Government is reactivating available treatment and isolation facilities across the country in anticipation of any further increase in infections. The provision of adequate medicines, equipment, and personal protective equipment to enable health workers attend to homebased patients is being effected. Fellow Ghanaians, as our children in kindergarten, primary, junior high school, SHS 2 and SHS 3 resume school from tomorrow, I wish to reiterate that Government has taken the required steps to ensure their safety in school. Heads of institutions, as well as their teachers, have undergone the requisite orientation on “Guidelines for school re-opening during COVID-19”, to enable them assist with compliance of students to the protocols. I have been encouraged by the preparations being made by many schools, in some cases, with the
COVID: The timing for the reopening of schools is a problem–Prof. David Millar
Government and Ghana Education Service (GES) should have waited a little to observe this new strain of COVID before the reopening of schools for our kids on Tuesday. In a press statement released by Ghana Education Service on January 15, 2021, sighted by Apexnewsgh.com it says, “Management of Ghana Education Service (GES) wishes to inform students, teachers parents, and the general public that schools officially reopen on Mondays 18th January 2021 for the academic year”. “Management of GES, therefore, directs that all schools should use Monday to tidy up their classrooms and compound. Academic work will therefore begin on Tuesday 19th January 2021”. “In the light of that, Management wishes to inform all stakeholders that the annual event dubbed ‘MY FIRST DAT AT SCHOOL’ observed to welcome children entering school for the first time, will be held across all District and Regional Education Directorate on Tuesday 19th January 2021”. However, Professor David Millar, the President of the Millar Institute for Transdisciplinary and Development Studies holds a different view following the directive of reopening of schools by the Ghana Education Service. According, to Prof. Millar who spoke to Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of Apexnewsgh.com in an exclusive interview on Sunday, January 17, 2021, looking at the current experience and the dimension of the new COVID, government and Ghana Education Service (GES) should have waited a little to observe this new strain of COVID before reopening schools for our kids on Tuesday. “Basically, we now need to learn how to leave with COVID like we are living with other diseases, so I think it natural coming that in one way or the other we have to start the school system. But, the timing for me is the problem. They are saying there is a new strain of COVID and therefore the coronavirus incident is sparkling so that makes the timing a bit worry. Because, if it would have been the good old COVID that knew since the beginning of last year that one will see we live with it but, with his new strain that, they don’t know what it is, they say is worst than the first strain we got, is now very disturbing. So, we should hold on a bit, see how that pounds out then we send the kids to school. Because if, is really as devastating as they say it is, then we are subjecting all the kids to danger. This is a new COVID, we don’t know how it is but, we know is very deadly and colleagues and friend elsewhere have told me how deadly this particular one could be, and this new one, unlike the first COVID, doesn’t discriminate between the young and elderly and is even appearing to be more dangerous to the young than the elderly”. He told Apexnewsgh.com Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
NPP Bongo Youth Organizer wishes DCE nominees well, as he admonished them to support President choice
The Youth Organizer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Bongo Constituency of the Upper East Region who double as the Bongo Youth Employment Director Justin Atindaana has extended his sincerest goodwill message and best wishes to the various aspiring candidates who applied for the position of District Chief Executive in the Bongo District. In a Press Statement captured by apexnewsgh.com on Sunday, January 17, 2021, the Youth Organizer said, all the aspirants who applied for the DCEship position are all competent with great enviable credentials, as he prays for best to be shortlisted. However, he appealed to the shortlisted members to embrace one another by supporting who catches the eyes of the President because NPP is known as a party that respects the tenets and principles of democracy. “The NPP has always been touted as a party that respects the tenets and principles of democracy and it is my prayer that, the various aspirants who may not make it in the vetting should throw their unflinching weight of support behind the emerged nominee by His Excellency the President after the vetting”. Below is the full statement: NPP CONSTITUENCY YOUTH COMMANDER WRITES: My best wishes to DCE nominee aspirants of Bongo District. On the filing of nominations for the Bongo District Chief Executive portfolio, i wish to respectfully convey my sincerest goodwill and best wishes to the various aspirants who will be going through vetting tomorrow at the Regional Coordinating Council, seeking to occupy the highest political office of the District. All the aspirants are all competent with great enviable credentials and may the best be shortlisted. The NPP has always been touted as a party that respects the tenets and principles of democracy and it is my prayer that, the various aspirants who may not make it in the vetting should throw their unflinching weight of support behind the emerged nominee by His Excellency the President after the vetting. The office of the DCE plays a very crucial role in the political and administrative discharge of duties that augments the developmental vision of the Party. It is widely a public knowledge that, the President has performed outstandingly well on the delivery of his promises which the youth of Bongo irrespective of one’s political affiliation are much impressed and ready to sustain the 2020 camaderie and high-spirited enthusiasm that characterized the campaigns. However, the youth is looking forward to a DCE who understands the dynamics of grassroots politics so that we can retain power and annex the Parliamentary seat from the NDC come 2024. Humility and affability, charismatic leadership qualities in pulling onboard floating voters alongside attracting our friends from the other political divide, youth empowerment in the District through job creation, educational support through scholarships, lobbying, advocating and facilitating youth recruitment into the various security services, party unification, open door leadership and services devoid of factionalism etc, is the utmost anticipation of our relentless vibrant youth of Bongo. I wish to also seize this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to the numerous calls and meetings from party elders, leadership, Electoral area coordinators and poling station executives tirelessly impressing on me to file for the nomination of the DCE position. I do humbly respect your position but i wish to plead for your permission to contribute in the building and growth of the party until a divine opportuned time. Not that withstanding, I will continue to place your interest and welfare first in the Party knowing the consistently exerted deep passion you have demonstrated for party activism regardless of what you earn in return. It will therefore amount to a dangerous suicide for the party if the DCE in waiting assumes office and turns a blind eye and death ear on the workaholic youth of the party. It is my humble expectation that, the youth will be considered as the engine of the party and be given maximum priority and attention ahead of 2024 elections. The future of the party largely lines in the hands of the youth. Congratulations to all aspirants and may the competent one among you be selected. God bless NPP, God bless Bongo. Signed………. Justin Atindaana. NPP Youth Organizer, Bongo Constituency cum Youth Employment Director, Bongo. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
Go and make the party strong, no appointment for you. President Akufo-Addo to Abronye DC
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo the President of the Republic of Ghana has rejected the request of an appointment made by Kwame Boffoe popularly known in the political arena as Abronye DC in his second administration. The revelation was made by the Abronye DC himself in an interview with Asempa FM which was monitored by Apexnewsgh.com He said the president acknowledged his effort as a party member as he assured him of having plans for him and the party. According to him, even though President was overwhelmed with his Curriculum Vitae (CV) when he presented it to him for appointment to any government agency, he said President rejected his request but insisted he should focus on working for the party as a way of making sure NPP in Bono Region is strong and unshaken. “President has told me he wants me to stay from now to 2024 so that the party becomes strong. So if you’re ready that the NPP has to be strong then you will understand him and the project he has for the party,” He said However, he uses the medium to appeal to the youth of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) across the country not to be discouraged with the President decision ahead of his second government “ I’ve seen that they have started promoting some people and lobbying for people. But one thing that I will advise after the lengthy discussion I had with the President when I went to the Jubliee House and presented my CV to him is that, if at the end of the day the person you’re pushing does not get appointed don’t be discouraged”. He told Asempa FM monitored by Apexnewsgh.com Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.