President Akufo-Addo has elected to go into self isolation after “at least one person within his close circle tested positive for Covid-19 today,” according to a statement from the Information Ministry.
The statement, signed by Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said: “On the advise of doctors, the President of the Republic of Ghana, is from today, July 4, 2020, taking a 14-day precautionary self-isolation measure in compliance with Covid-19 protocols.”
The statement did not name the member of the president’s inner circle who has tested positive. It, however, pointed out that the president himself has tested negative “as at today”.
That negative test notwithstanding, the statement said, the president “elected to take this measure out of the abundance of caution.”
The statement added: “The President during this precautionary self-isolation period, will be working from the Presidential Villa at the Jubilee House.”
This comes just a day after the President toured some registration centres in the Greater Accra Region.
Accompanied by some presidential staff, the President toured the Kanda Cluster of Schools Registration Centre in Ayawaso East, the Abossey Okai Presby Registration Centre in Ablekuma Central and the Ebenezer Funeral Parlour (1&2) Registration Centres in Weija-Gbawe.
The President also toured the Teshie Aboma Presby Church Registration Centre in Ledzokuku; and the Super Service Registration Centre in Klottey Korle, where registration officials at those centres apprised him of the registration process.
That same Thursday, President Akufo-Addo also presented some cash prizes to 20 young entrepreneurs, marking the third season of the Presidential Pitch, an initiative of the Business Development Ministry.
All this is happening weeks after a number of government officials tested positive for the virus.
The Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu is recovering from the disease that had him hospitalized for a few days.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Lydia Dsane-Selby and former Deputy Trade and Industry Ministry Minister Carlos Ahenkorah have contracted the disease.
The NPP Campaign Manager for the 2020 elections is also receiving treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after testing positive.
Two government officials have, however, succumbed to the disease.
On July 1, 2020 the CEO of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John died from Covid-19 complications at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital where he had been in intensive care.
Last month, Sekondi-Takoradi Mayor, Kobina Kurentsi Sam died at the University of Ghana Medical Centre after being rushed there for treatment for Covid-19.
