Some residents in the Western Region have pleaded with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to, as a matter of urgency to provide Ghanaians with free alcoholic based hand sanitizers to protect themselves from contracting and spreading the coronavirus.

In an exclusive interview with Ghanaweb.com, a resident complained about the fact that alcoholic based hand sanitizers are not available in some drug stores and other places to buy.

"As we speak we can't get hand sanitizers, nose masks and hand gloves to buy", he emphasized.

According to him, citizens residing in rural areas are at high risk of contracting the virus since adequate measures have not been put in place.

He also urged the government to quarantine individuals before granting them access to the country.

"We should quarantine those who will enter Ghana for 14 days before we leave them because if we leave them in the country they will definitely shake hands and they have been infected they will spread it".

He seized the opportunity to commend President Akufo-Addo for releasing an amount of 100 million dollars to fight coronavirus adding that part of the money should be used to provide Ghanaians with hand sanitizers and other protective equipment.

"President Akufo-Addo must use part of the 100 million dollars to buy hand sanitizers, nose masks and hand gloves and give to all Ghanaians because we don't get some to buy".

Another resident (name withheld) also emphasized the need for the government to organize public sensitizations across the country adding that some people have little information about the virus and how to protect themselves.

He bemoaned how alcoholic based hand sanitizers have run out of stock in the Western region, a situation which has compelled most residents to wash their hands with raw alcohol.



"As for us in the rural communities we are not safe because we don't know what is going on in the country and nobody has come to us to educate us about the virus, it is only at this market I am hearing the virus so government must think about us", Another trader stated.

Government's measures

The government has put measures in place to curb the spread of the virus.

This includes a travel ban, closure of schools and ban on public gatherings including church services and mosques.