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Ghanaians have been warned to adhere to the strict measures put in place by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the government to stop the spread of the COVID-19 or face a total lockdown and curfew. According to Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah if people do not adhere to social distancing, use hand sanitizers and wear the face mask then the government will have no option than to introduce a more draconian measure in the movement of people. He opined that if the government observes an increase in the cases of infected persons, a total lockdown, and a curfew will be imposed as the President outlined in his address. “If we continue adhering to the other measures, we don’t expect a spike of infections. The 14 other regions where there was no lockdown, we didn’t see any spike, but if people keep being stubborn, and there is a spike, a lockdown and a curfew will be imposed so Ghanaians should get themselves prepared,” he said on Peace FM. The minister’s caution comes on the back of large numbers of people flooding the markets and town on Monday, April 20 after President Akufo-Addo lifted the three-week partial lockdown that was imposed on Accra, Kumasi, Tema, and Kasoa. A report revealed that most of the people who throng the markets after the lockdown was lifted are neither observing the social distancing rule nor wearing masks as directed by the President. Ghana’s last update on COVID-19 indicates that the country has recorded 1,024 positive cases, 9 deaths, and 99 recoveries so far. SourceThebbcghana.com

The president of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, has officially launched a local herbal remedy he claims can prevent and cure coronavirus in seven days. The beverage, called COVID-Organics and developed by the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research (IMRA), contains Artemisia, a plant used to treat malaria. “Tests have been carried out – two people have now been cured by this treatment,” Rajoelina told ministers, diplomats and the media at the IMRA on Monday. “This herbal tea gives results in seven days,” he said. Drinking a bottle of COVID-Organics, he said: “I will be the first to drink this today, in front of you, to show you that this product cures and does not kill.” As the novel coronavirus spreads, people have been positive about how home remedies have helped them recover even though the World Health Organisation has said that there is no cure for the deadly virus. “While some western, traditional or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of COVID-19, there is no evidence that current medicine can prevent or cure the disease,” according to the organization’s website. “WHO does not recommend self-medication with any medicines, including antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for COVID-19.” The AFP reports that the safety and effectiveness of Madagascar’s local herbal remedy “have not been assessed internationally, nor has any data from trials been published in peer-reviewed studies.” But the president of the large Indian Ocean island is sure of its effectiveness, adding that the drink would be given to schoolchildren. “The COVID-Organics will be distributed free of charge to our most vulnerable compatriots and sold at very low prices to others. All profits will be donated to IMRA to finance scientific research,” the president wrote on Twitter. “COVID-Organics will be used as prophylaxis, that is for prevention, but clinical observations have shown a trend towards its effectiveness in curative treatment,” said Dr. Charles Andrianjara, the director general of IMRA. Madagascar has so far recorded 121 cases of coronavirus with no deaths. As people hold talks about taking a chance with traditional medicine that is not proven, the government of Zimbabwe is already allowing herbalists to treat patients with the deadly virus. “Traditional medicine practice is older … than science and it is accepted by the majority of Zimbabweans,” said Tribert Chishanyu, president of Zimbabwe Traditional Practitioners Association. “If modern scientists are given opportunities to try whenever there is an emergency disease (outbreak), why can’t we do the same to traditional medicine practice? We are treating symptoms related to COVID-19, so by (some) chance we may be able to treat COVID-19.” Source: face2faceafrica.com

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has lifted restrictions imposed on the movement of persons within some parts of Greater Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Greater Kumasi. This decision, the President indicates that is to give government the opportunity to try to contain the spread of the virus, scale-up effectively the tracing of persons who had come into contact with infected persons, test them for the virus, and quarantine those who tested positive and isolate them for treatment. This was announced by President during his live televised address to the nation today, Sunday, April 19, 2020. Although the lifting of the restrictions may come as a reprieve to the many whose livelihoods may have been hit hard following the imposition, access to some major sectors remains restricted. Four major cities, Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Kasoa, had been placed under a three-week lockdown purposely to hold the spread of the Novel Coronavirus. The initial two-week restrictions imposed on these areas saw a further seven days extension as the nation waited for test results from some 14,000 samples taken, the President stated in his last address to the nation. The country’s borders remain closed. Meanwhile, the ban on social gatherings, including religious gatherings, schools, as well as the strict adherence social distancing protocol, remain in place. Source : Ghanaweb

Ghana’s Coronavirus cases have increased 1,042. This was announced by President Akufo-Addo during his seventh address to the nation on the outbreak today, Sunday, April 19, 2020. “Since the first two (2) cases of infections were recorded on our shores, we have, till date, traced some eighty-six thousand (86,000) contacts, out of which we have test results of sixty-eight thousand, five hundred and ninety-one (68,591) contacts. There is, thus, a backlog of some eighteen thousand (18,000) tests whose results are yet to be received.” “The overwhelming majority of these contacts have been established in the last three weeks of the partial lockdown in Accra and Kumasi. Out of this number, one thousand and forty-two (1,042) persons, i.e. 1.5%, have been confirmed as positive, with sixty seven thousand, five hundred and forty-nine (67,549), i.e. 98.5%, testing negative; ninety-nine (99) persons have recovered and have been discharged; and nine hundred and thirty (930) persons, who have been isolated, are responding to treatment either in their homes or in treatment facilities. These nine hundred and thirty (930) persons, after their treatment, will soon undergo the mandatory two (2) tests to determine if they have also recovered from the virus or otherwise,” he added. Lockdown of Accra, Kumasi lifted; ban on gatherings still in force President Nana Akufo-Addo has however lifted the partial lockdown on some parts of the country. The president said the ease of restrictions was “in view of our ability to undertake aggressive contact tracing of infected persons” among others. source: citinewsrooom.com

Source: Adomonline.com Singer Becca has taken time to digest issues concerning her single ‘No One’ which she released about three months ago. Speaking in an interview, with Abeiku Santana, the songstress said she could not comprehend critics chastising her amid claims that she sampled South African singer, Sho Madjozi’s, ‘John Cena’ song. Although there are similarities between John Cena and No One, Becca said it was because she was trying a genre of music called Gqom. She explained that it is an electronic dance music that emerged in the early 2010 from Durban, South Africa. The ‘African Woman’ singer said people didn’t even know the relationship she had with Sho Madjozi yet, they went ahead to make assumptions. “So Madjozi owns the song and she hasn’t come out to say anything? In this virtual world? It’s been three months since I released the song. “There are different genres of music. In South Africa, there are many beats there. I chose to do Gqom beats. If you listen to the two songs, they all sound alike. If we play 10 Gqom beats, you will be wondering if they are all the same song,” she said on Okay FM. Becca disclosed that when people were bashing her in Ghana, the song was trending at number two in South Africa. Asked why she didn’t come out to address critics earlier, she said, “if there was the need for me to educate, they could have let me. There were too many enemies pushing the agenda. God has ways of doing it; the melodies and beats may sound alike just like the way shirts can look similar.”

The C.E.O of Burniton Music Group, Livingston Etse Satekla, popularly known in the music industry as Stonebwoy, a.k.a 1Gad. Best International Act: Africa Category at the 2015 BET and Artist of the Year at the 2015 Ghana Music Awards , is set to release his new album “Anloga Junction”which most Ghanaians and his loyal fans antedates . Anloga Junction is his new album which is nearly 3 years after his censorious acclaimed work “Epistle Of Mama”. Although the 2017 is tenable one of his best works, 1Gad is hoping to make a bigger resurgence with his new album “Anloga Junction”. The Dancehall artist, Stonebwoy collaborated with Jamaican artist Jahmiel with a song Titled “Mama”, American singer Keri Hilson with “Nominate”, Nigerian Afrobeat Artist Zlatan with a song “Critical”, South African Rapper , Nasty C with a song “Bow Down”, Sensational Singer Kojo Antwi(Mr. Music Man) with “Akyekyedie Nante3,” East Africa’s Diamond Platnumz with “Black Madonna”, Dutch Singer Chivv with “Good Morning “, Fast Rising Artist Alicai Harley with “Understanding”. The C.E.O. Of Burniton Music Group and BET award winner , prior to the release of the “Anloga Junction “ album had dropped some of the songs and is making waves . The others is set to be released on April 24th , 2020. ;Friday). The Singles on the project comes pairs with the new music video directed by video directors across the country and worldwide.Pre-order Anloga Junction album here:kv-online-talent.lnk.to/AJPRE

One of Ghana’s finest comedians, Clemento Suarez, has tagged Kwadwo Nkansah “Lilwin” as the “Messi” and “Sark” of comedy. According to Clemento Suarez, Lilwin is arguably the best act in Ghana considering how long he had reigned in the industry as well as his impressive exploits in the music industry. This is what Clemento Suarez had to say about Lilwin as he celebrates his 32nd birthday on Wednesday, April 15: “The Sark in the comic game. Arguably the best to have done this. Before his intro into the scene there were great legends in the likes of Water Proof, Santo, Super OD, Idikoko, Waakye, Agya Koo, etc but like Sark or Messi, Lilwin had been the longest reigning comic act in the nation. “Fortunately for us he is still active and working on great stuff. By far the most successful actor to do music in the country.”

The coronavirus pandemic has now infected more than two million people worldwide, the latest figures revealed today. According to official sources, as of Wednesday, 8th April, 2020 morning, there has been at least 2,004,670 cases of the pandemic. Experts are of the view that, the true figures are much higher due to the fact that, many people not tested due to mild symptoms and shortages in test kits. The death toll of infected persons keeps increasing with more than half of them in Europe with at least 130,680 deaths. The United States has the largest number of cases in the world with more than 600,000 confirmed cases and nearly 30,000 deaths followed by Spain and Italy with confirmed cases and followed by Italy and Spain with number of deaths. According to WHO figures, there has been around 153,000 cases on March 15 but the figures has increased to 751,000 by March 31. On April 2, the global tally passed one million and has doubled in the space of two weeks. The pandemic has forced affected countries to put in place drastic lockdown measures to control the pandemic with schools, shops, restaurants and sports events been closed down. These measures are to halt the spread of the virus with Olympic games postponed for the first time since World War II. The crisis has caused economic standstill with business been closed down. There are growing fears over the outbreak in developing countries when even developed countries are overwhelmed by the crisis despite their advanced health systems. Many countries are been faced with shortage of protective equipment, leaving medical personnel exposed to the virus and taking them out when needed. The outbreak began late in 2019 in China, Wuhan. Symptoms associated with the virus include, fever, consistent cough, running nose and pneumonia.

Richard Hudson, CEO, First National Bank Ghana First National Bank Ghana Limited is introducing a raft of relief packages to help both individual and corporate customers against the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Long before the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Ghana, many analysts had predicted that the pandemic would adversely impact Ghanaian businesses and therefore, individual incomes and the overall national economy,” says Richard Hudson, CEO of First National Bank Ghana. “We appreciate that in these tough times, we need to stand together with our customers by offering them the #RealHelp they need to make it through these tough economic times.” Under the #RealHelp initiative, First National Bank Ghana Limited is offering at least a 2% interest rate cut on loans to all existing customers from 01 April 2020 for the tenor of all Ghana-cedi denominated loan facilities. To clarify further, Richard Hudson explained that all cedi denominated loans at First National Bank Ghana Limited are linked to the Ghana Reference Rate (GRR) which is published monthly on the first Wednesday of every month. Loans to customers are quoted at the GRR plus a margin. With the recently announced drop in the MPC rate, the GRR dropped by 1.20% and the bank then slashed its margin by a further 1% across all cedi related loans, bringing the total reduction to 2.20%. Customers have also been given an option to apply for repayment holidays, where a temporary moratorium will be placed on the loan repayments for up to six months. This is expected to give customers some leeway to reorganise their finances which may be negatively affected by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Customers can apply for the repayment holiday on the First National Bank app or by using the quick code *877# on its cell phone banking platform. “The entire process has been digitized so there’s absolutely no paperwork and that also means response times will be faster,” Mr. Hudson says. “We believe these interventions will assist customers who have demonstrated sound banking behaviour, such as consistently honouring their repayments to the bank before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Head, Marketing and Corporate Affairs at First National Bank Ghana, Delali Dzidzienyo adds: “With these initiatives, we want to consolidate our position as the most helpful bank in Ghana. We are offering our customers a real helping hand in a very difficult time as many businesses will not perform as well as they had hoped this year; and many individuals will not earn the monthly incomes that they normally expect. The #RealHelp we are offering is not a one-size-fits-all solution but is tailored to each customer’s unique situation which ensures that we give them the necessary help they that need in this particular circumstance.” Richard Hudson, CEO, First National Bank Ghana

The American president, Donald Trump stunned the world leaders and the health experts on Tuesday, when he was pulling up funding to the WHO, in the middle of the global novel Corona virus pandemic. He had warned that he was going to do so last week, accusing the WHO of mismanaging the spread of the CODVID-19. Of not taking a hasty decision on investigating the virus when it first emerged in China in 2019. Antonio Guterres, the secretary General of the United Nation, which is the WHO parents organisation has described the pandemic as unprecedented in a statement on Tuesday, and acknowledged the fact that there would a lessons learned on future outbreaks. “once we close the chapter of this epidemic, there must be a time to go back and look at how this diseases emerge and spreads it devastation globally, and how those involved react to crisis” He continued to say, “ but now is not the time to reduce resources for the operation of the world health organization or any other humanitarian units in the fight against this virus. urging for togetherness in the face of a pandemic the has taken many lives globally.

India capital city of New Delhi announced restrictions on Businesses and government services starting from Today (FRIDAY) as did the country’s second most densely populated state of Maharashtra. Under measures than will extend through March 31st, all non-essential services in Maharashtra state will be shut down according to their Chief Minister, and includes the City of Mumbai. All shops except those providing essential commodities will be closed and government services will be carried out by just 25% of the state’s workers. Public transport will continue to run for the time being. The Chief Minister of New Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal announced the shutdown of all essential government service. "In view of the induce situation, we are closing down all Malls (except grocery, pharmacy & vegetables (SIC) Shops in them" He Tweeted”

Eight Ghanaians who contracted the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) are reported to have recovered, a highly placed government official has told kasapafmonline.com. As at Friday, March 20, 2020, Ghana has confirmed and recorded 16 cases of the coronavirus. Considering the number of recorded cases, it means 50 percent of victims have recovered. They are reported to be showing no signs of the symptoms of the disease after undergoing numerous tests by the Noguchi Memorial Laboratory. President Akufo Addo last Sunday announced the shut down of all educational institutions – universities, second cycle schools and basic schools effective, March 16, 2020, until further notice in the wake of the outbreak of the deadly COVID-19. However, BECE and WASSCE candidates will be allowed to prepare for their examination under prescribed social distancing protocols. All public gatherings, including conferences, workshops, funerals, political rallies, sporting events, such as services in churches and mosques have been suspended for the next four weeks. Private burials are however permitted but with limited numbers not exceeding 25 people in attendance. He reiterated that travel bans announced are still in force.