Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo, has announced Special intervention packages for its citizens as the country continues to battle the Coronavirus pandemic.
In his 5th state-wide broadcast since the pandemic began, President Akufo-Addo announced that the government will cover the water bills of its citizens for the months of April, May and June. Recall that on March 30, he declared a 2-weeks lockdown on Kumasi and Accra, the two most populous parts of the country as part of measures to curb the spread of Coronavirus.
Some communities in the country had complained they lacked water to effectively wash their hands as a preventive measure to stop the spread of the novel Coronavirus. The President in his speech, said private water companies have been contracted to provide water to these communities. He also assured the citizens of stable electricity supply.
“The Ghana Water Company Ltd and the Electricity Company of Ghana have been directed to ensure the stable supply of water and electricity during this period. In addition, there will be no disconnection of supply.
Furthermore, government will absorb the water bills for all Ghanaians for the next three months that is April, May and June. All water tankers, publicly and privately-owned, are also going to be mobilised to ensure the supply of water to all vulnerable communities.” he said
The President also announced that all frontline health workers treating Coronavirus patients would receive a 50 percent additional salary allowance and would not be taxed on their salaries for the next 3 months.
Ghana currently has 287 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 31 recoveries and 5 deaths.