President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says opponents of government’s COVID-19 fight strategies are doing so for their political survival.

The comment comes days after NDC flagbearer and former President John Mahama criticised the efforts of government after significant number of positive cases were recorded on Friday.

“From 3,091 to 4,012 #COVID19 cases within 24 hours; Government is certainly failing the people of Ghana. Fear gripped many homes last night when the latest confirmed cases were released. And that is understandable. #COVID19 is real, my brothers and sisters. I want to encourage you, yet again, to protect yourself. Regular handwashing with soap and under running water is a must.

“Stay Home, but if you have to go out for any reason including work, wear your mask, take along a hand sanitizer, and always disinfect commonly used and touched surfaces. And, let us continue to remember the poor & needy. They need our support,” Mahama wrote on Facebook.

Addressing the nation Sunday night, the President urged Ghanaians not to begrudge those politicians taking aims at government’s effort since they do so for their political survival.

“I know some political actors would want you to believe that the new numbers represent a failure on our part, do not begrudge them, they need to make such statements for their political survival,” he said.

Meanwhile, the President extended the ban on public gathering in the country as confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Ghana rise to 4,700.

The President in a Sunday night address warned people who violate the directive will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

“Tonight I have come to your homes to announce that the ban on public gathering has been extended to the end of the month ie 31st of May,” he said.

The extension comes in the wake of reports that religious leaders were persuading the President to lift the ban on public gathering.

The President also reiterated the order for the closure of all borders to the country as means of containing the spread of the virus in the country.