The Ghanaian
government has announced some social intervention measures to ease the burden
of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on its citizens and frontline health
workers.
In a televised
address on Sunday, President Nana Akufo-Addo said his government will cover the
water bills of its citizens for the months of April, May and June.
The government’s
intervention comes amid complaints that some communities do not have running
water which undermines the safety measure of hand-washing.
The president said
the government was in talks with private water-tanker operators to make water
available to vulnerable communities.
He also assured the
citizens of stable electricity supply.
“Furthermore,
government will absorb the water bills for all Ghanaians for the next three
months that is April, May and June,” he said.
“All water tankers,
publicly and privately-owned, are also going to be mobilised to ensure the
supply of water to all vulnerable communities.
“The Ghana Water
Company Ltd and the Electricity Company of Ghana have been directed to ensure
the stable supply of water and electricity during this period. In addition,
there will be no disconnection of supply.”
Akufo-Addo also
announced that all frontline health workers treating COVID-19 patients would
receive 50 percent additional salary allowance and that they would not pay
taxes on their emoluments for the next 3 months.
The president
thanked security forces for ensuring compliance with the lockdown, but said
steps are being taken to investigate the excesses of some members of the
forces.
He said the
government is working with faith-based organisation to provide food for about
400,000, and that more than GHS 8 million has been realised from donations.
He asked citizens to
continue to be patient with the government as it strives to contain the spread
of COVID-19.
He said more
personal protective equipment and hand sanitisers would be distributed to all
district hospitals.
He asked all to stay
home and keep observing social distancing.
The government had
ordered a 14-day lockdown of the country to mitigate the spread of the disease.
It also took steps
to disinfect its markets in the state capital.
The country’s
confirmed coronavirus cases now stand at 214 with five deaths and 31
recoveries.
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