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Africa News of Monday, 16 March 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Ghanian President closes schools, churches, mosques, others over coronavirus pandemic

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana play videoPresident Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana

The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has ordered the closure of schools, churches and other social gatherings over the coronavirus pandemic.

Ghana has presently recorded six different cases within the space of three days, "all, of persons who recently travelled into the country," the president said.

President Akufo-Addo, in a video broadcast on Sunday, made it clear that the closure will last for four weeks.

He added that the decision was made "in the interest of public safety and the protection of our population"

As such, he said that "all public gatherings including conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, political rally, sporting events and religious events such as services of churches and mosques have been suspended for the next four weeks."

According to the president, private burial with a limited number not exceeding 25 attendants will be allowed.

"All Universities, Senior High Schools, and basic schools, i.e. public and private schools, will be closed Monday, 16th March 2020, till further notice. The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication, has been tasked to roll out distance learning programmes," he said.

President Akufo-Addo, however, said students who will be taking part in this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) "will be allowed to attend school to prepare for their examinations, but with prescribed social distancing protocols."

Press play to watch the full video included in this article.

MyNigeria.com