The African Department Director for International Monitory Fund (IMF) Abebe Aemro Selassie has confirmed that Ghana has put in a request for a rapid credit facility to help fight coronavirus.
A statement forwarded to the Headquarters of IMF on March 24, 2020, stated that “Last week, the IMF received Ghana’s request for a disbursement under the Rapid Credit Facility to help the country address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic”.
The statement stated further that “We are working hard to evaluate the authorities’ request and bring it forward for Executive Board consideration as soon as possible.”
President of Ghana, Akufo-Addo on March 11, 2020, directed the Finance Minister to set aside $100million to help the country deal with the scourge of the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta told Parliament that the $100 million announced by President Akufo-Addo to fight coronavirus was unavailable and that efforts were underway to mobilize it from the International market.
“We are currently in discussion with the World Bank to tap into a US$12billion World Bank Group fast track COVID-19 facility to help close the financing gap. Also, we are discussing with the International Monetary Fund to access part of a US$10billion facility, made available by the IMF to address coronavirus through the Rapid Credit Facility. We are also discussing with other multilateral and bilateral partners on potential assistance to close the financing gap”, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta told a half-packed Parliament at a sitting on Wednesday, March 17, 2020.
The statement by the Finance Minister shocked many Ghanaians who thought the President did not forthright know the state has no such money to be set aside. Currently, frontline health workers across the country have no Personal Protective equipments (PPEs) to work with. Health workers particularly Nurses and Midwives have been advised to take cover in event they have no PPEs to wear.
Ghana Health Service on Tuesday evening announced a new confirmed case of Covid-19 few hours after its announced 25 confirmed cases during the day which shot up the national figures to 52.
The latest confirmed case has increased the number of infected persons to 53 including two fatalities.
“As of 24 March 2020, a total of fifty-three (53) cases including two (2) deaths have been confirmed. All the fifty-one (51) confirmed cases are receiving treatment in isolation” a release by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) announced.
The statement added “the sudden spike in case incidence is as a result of the mandatory quarantine and compulsory testing for all travelers entering Ghana, as directed by the president. As of 24 March, a total of 1,030 are under mandatory quarantine; 844 have had their samples taken; 510 have had the samples tested, and out these twenty-six (26) tested positive for COVID-19”
‘Great majority of the confirmed cases are Ghanaians, who returned home from affected countries. Seven (7) are of other nationals namely: Norway, Lebanon, China, France, UK. In respect of contact tracing, a total of 829 contacts have been identified and are being tracked. One (1) of the contacts developed symptoms and has been confirmed positive.
Nineteen (19) people have completed the 14 days of mandatory follow”
Ghana recorded its first confirmed case of coronavirus on March 13, 2020.Since then multiple cases are being recorded.
Ghana’s President having suspended all social gatherings including Church activities and closed down schools since March 16, 2020, Saturday, March 18, 2020, announced the closure of all borders both by Land, Sea, and Air space. Also, mandatory 14 days quarantine for all permitted travelers to Ghana as part of enhanced measures to control the spread of the disease.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Obed Ansah
