Covid-19 vaccines safe for Ghanaians – Akufo-Addo
Ahead of the Christmas festivities, President Nana Akufo-Addo has reiterated the closure of beaches, pubs and nightclubs to prevent a second wave of COVID-19 infection.
The President also announced that Ghana is expected to receive its first consignment of COVID-19 vaccines which he said would be “safe” and “secure”.
President Akufo-Addo was positive that the country will not be left out of the distribution of vaccines from manufactures abroad.
“Ghana, I assure you, is not going to be left behind in having access to the vaccines. I am aware of the anxieties relating to the safety and efficacy of newly-developed vaccines. The government will ensure that the Covid-19 vaccines to be deployed in the country are effective and are safe,” he said in his 20th update on measures taken to contain the coronavirus pandemic in Ghana.
Consequently, he said a team has been constituted from the relevant institutions and agencies for the procurement and deployment of the vaccines in Ghana.
Mr Akufo-Addo, who won a second mandate to govern the country explained that the recent news of emergency approvals of COVID-19 vaccines, by the Food and Drugs Administration of the United States of America, and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency of the United Kingdom, “provide considerable optimism and hope for the world in our battle to defeat the pandemic”.
Even though the virus seemed subdued in the country, Mr Akufo-Addo warned emphasized that “our borders, by land and sea, will remain closed to human traffic until further notice”.
Additionally, “beaches, pubs, cinemas and nightclubs remain closed until further notice. All other institutions that have been cleared to function are to continue to do so in strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols”.
He acknowledged the family reunions, parties and many social and religious gatherings associated with the yuletide but entreated the public to “err on the side of caution and observe the COVID-19 safety protocols no matter where we find ourselves”.
“The dynamics of the virus has taught us that, if you must host or attend such events, they are best held safely outdoors or in very well-ventilated halls, rather than in closed, air-conditioned spaces,” he added. “Even when organised outdoors, there must be adequate spacing for the maintenance of social distancing. Organisers of such events, public or private, should ensure the presence of ‘Veronica’ buckets, soap and sanitisers, and must insist that patrons use them as frequently as possible”.
He further advised persons with underlying ailments, such as hypertension, diabetes, chronic liver disease, and asthma to pay particular attention to their health during the festive season.
Ghana has recorded 13 more deaths from COVID-19 bringing the total number of fatalities to 333 out of the 53,954 confirmed cases.
The country has recorded 52,675 recoveries, close to two weeks after the December 7 polls.