The government of Ghana has placed a three-month ban on all international conferences and gatherings in the country.
The move is an additional attempt to prevent the outbreak of Ebola in the country.
The decision was taken after President John Mahama met the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Ebola on Wednesday to evaluate the progress of work on Ghana’s preparation to battle the Ebola disease.
The ban according to Deputy Communications Minister, Felix Kwakye Ofosu was one of the leading steps to be taken to prevent a possible outbreak.
In addition to this, the President has also ordered the release of GHC 6 million to augment efforts at preventing the outbreak of the disease in the country.
Speaking to Citi News, Kwakye Ofosu said a total of 10, 000 personal protective equipment will be procured to ensure safety of frontline health workers.
This procurement he said “is to inspire confidence in healthcare professionals as well as Immigration Officers and other allied security agencies that are at the frontline to prevent the influx of people who may be carrying the Ebola virus.”
The Deputy Minister added that the government is also working out an insurance policy for health workers across the country to encourage them in preventing a possible outbreak and also treating suspected cases.
He stressed that the government will do its possible best to protect Ghanaians from the deadly virus.
The Health Ministry together with other stakeholders is setting up Ebola isolation centers across the country.
Tertiary institutions have also postponed their re-opening indefinitely due to the outbreak of the disease in the West African sub-region.
Currently, about 1,000 persons have died from the Ebola disease.
Meanwhile, the Education Ministry says it is relying on the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Ebola to advise them on the reopening of Senior High Schools (SHS)
The Ministry has already delayed the reopening of tertiary institutions by two weeks in order to take steps to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus.
A deputy Minister of Education in charge of basic education, Alex Kyeremeh is urging students and parents not to panic over the disease because the situation is under control.
He indicated that Senior High Schools across the country have about a month before schools re-open therefore, the situation will be monitored before a decision is made.
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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