President Nana Akufo-Addo has commended the retail shops in Ghana for ensuring strict adherence of the preventive protocols rolled out by his government to stop the spread of the novel COVID-19 pandemic across the country.
Consequently, the President singled out Melcom, Palace and Shoprite shopping malls for commendation.
“I want to single out supermarkets such as Melcom, Palace and Shoprite, in particular, for the excellent discipline they are maintaining in their enterprises across the country, and call upon all other enterprises, especially our market women, to emulate them”, he said.
President Akuffo-Addo made these remarks when he delivered his 8th COVID-19 update to the nation last night, April 26, 2020.
While encouraging traders in the various markets in the country to emulate the example of the shopping malls, President Akuffo-Addo praised market women in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis for their adherence to the social distancing directive.
He says the enforcement of social distancing, wearing of face masks, frequent handwashing with soap under running water and the use of alcohol-based sanitizers must be adhered by the traders at all time, adding that they must also insist on their customers doing same.
Message to Trotro Drivers
The President also used the occasion to laud the commercial, popularly referred to in Ghana as “Trotro Drivers” for heeding to the directive to ensure social distancing in their vehicles.
“I am encouraged that so many of our trotros, taxis, and buses are operating with a minimal number of passengers”, President Akuffo-Addo said.
To the entire business community in Ghana, the Preisdent says he appreciates the difficulties that they are grappling with at the moment but that everybody in the country has no option than to sacrifice to defeat the virus.
“I am fully aware of the sacrifices in reduced revenues that all businesses and enterprises are suffering. But, I believe we have no option but to sacrifice to defeat this virus. This is the time for sacrifice, so that we do not have to bear a greater cost in the future,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s COVID-19 cases have increased to 1,550 with 115 recoveries and 11 deaths, thus according to the Ghana Health Service’s last update on Sunday, April 26, 2020.
Consequently, President Akuffo-Addo has extended the ban of social and public gatherings by two more weeks.
