Ghanaian president Nana Akufo Addo says poor adherence to safety measures is responsible for the recently recorded spike in coronavirus in the country.
Ghana’s new daily coronavirus cases have increased from an average of 25 to 130 over the past two weeks, raising concerns about a possible second wave of the virus in the country. Ghana’s active cases have increased to 1,139 from 398 over the last three weeks. The country has so far reported more than 49,000 COVID-19 cases and 320 deaths.
President Akufo-Addo said, in a televised address on Sunday, the government would step up contact tracing, testing and treatment of the infection to halt the spread of the virus.
The government has extended health workers’ pay incentives to the end of December. They include tax exemption and a 50% pay rise for covid-19 frontline workers. Authorities say, Ghanaians will also continue to enjoy free water supply to promote regular hand washing.
Large political rallies have been banned in Ghana, but campaign activities have heightened ahead of general elections in December, with many ignoring the safety protocols.