General News of Monday, 20 April 2020

Source: peacefmonline.com

Coronavirus: No more free food after lifting lockdown - Oppong Nkrumah

Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah

Government will no longer continue sharing free food to the vulnerable following the lifting of the partial lockdown in some selected areas in the country.

It may be recalled that government started the distribution of free meals to over 400,000 Ghanaians in locked-down areas amidst the COVID-19 outbreak in Ghana.

The distribution of “food packages and hot meals” was to lessen the burden on poor households for the three-week lockdown period.

In his 7th address to the nation on Sunday, April 20, President Nana Akufo-Addo lifted the restrictions on movement and urged that other measures to curb the spread of the virus be adhered to.

Highlighting on various aspects of the President's address in an interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on PeaceFM's "Kokrokoo", Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah pointed out that "since the partial lockdown has been lifted, there will no longer be free food.

" . . but the free water and electricity which the President assured Ghanaians in his previous address is still in force for three months," he said.

President Nana Akufo-Addo has lifted the three-week partial lockdown imposed in the Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi districts with effect from 1 am Monday, 20th April 2020.

This is in spite of the country's Coronavirus case count having increased to 1,042. Total samples tested so far stands at 68,591 with 1.5 % testing positive.

Observe Protocols

Although the lifting of the restrictions may come as a relief to the many whose livelihoods may have been hit hard following the imposition, access to some major sectors remains restricted.

Th country’s borders remain closed.

Further to these, all other measures including social distancing are also to be adhered to.

Additionally, suspension of public gathering including religious meetings, still stands; likewise the closure of all educational facilities.