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COVID-19: Ghanaians reduce trips to short distances—Report

A latest report on mobility among the Ghanaian population has established a decrease in travels following the lifting of the two-week partial lockdown imposed in parts of the country to contain spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Assessing movements within regions and districts in hitherto restricted areas like the Greater Accra Region and Kumasi in the Ashanti Region as well as other areas around the country, the report found that though movements had slightly increased, it remains lower than the norm.

Generally, it noted that trips were mainly restricted to short distances and routine daily trips related to activities such as commuting to work, shopping and entertainment.

Jointly conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Flowminder Foundation, a non-profit organisation and Vodafone Ghana, the report used data from mobile network operators to understand mobility patterns of the citizenry for decision making in managing the pandemic.

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The organisations analysed the effects of mobility and social distancing interventions between February 17 and May 3, 2020, highlighting the differences in population movements before, during and after the mobility restrictions were introduced and lifted.

Government Statistician, Professor Samuel Annim, in a release copied to the Ghanaian Times yesterday, commended the public for showing discipline after the lockdown and not reverting to old ways of living.

“The observation that mobility after the partial lockdown was lifted remains at levels lower than mobility during the periods of the baseline and the initial restrictions, including sanctioning social distancing and adherence to public health hygienic protocols, endorses the effectiveness of the use of moral suasion as a complementary intervention in the fight against COVID-19.

“Residents in Ghana deserve commendation for not reverting to the ways of living prior to the imposition of the initial restrictions and are therefore urged to continue with change in behaviour in order to contain the epidemic,” he said.

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Prof. Annim was confident the report will support policy making and decisions in government response to the pandemic moving forward.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vodafone Ghana, Patricia Obo-Nai, noted that mobility insights was crucial in evaluating the effectiveness of measures put in place by government in fighting COVID-19.

She, thus, hoped that more research is focused in the area to support policy making.

On her part, Data Scientist at Flowminder, Tracey Li, observed that the overall trend in reduction of movement could be helpful in case management and treatment of COVID-19 cases.

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As of yesterday, Ghana had a total of 5,735 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 1,754 recoveries and 29 deaths.

Of the number tested positive to the virus, 3,906 had come from contact tracing; 1,714 from routine surveillance and 115 from mandatory quarantine, meaning that contact tracing, was helping discover more infected persons in the country.

BY ABIGAIL ANNOH

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COP Yohuno takes over from Dr.Dampare as new IGP

President John Dramani Mahama has in accordance with Articles 91 and 202 of the 1992 constitution and in consultation with the Council of State, appointed Commissioner of Police (COP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the Inspector-General of Police.

He replaces COP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.

COP Yohuno brings forty years of experience to the position of IGP and is expected to oversee the modernization and transformation of the Ghana Police Service.

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Minister for the Interior Urges European Union to Improve on Collaboration and Support

The Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, commended the European Union (EU) for its continuous support and initiatives in Ghana and urged the Union to enhance collaboration and support with the Ministry and its agencies.

Ghana takes security issues seriously and will do everything possible to protect the peace and maintain security in the country, the Minister assured.

Other areas of collaboration discussed during the meeting aimed to improve the Ghana Prisons Service, particularly decongestion and equipment improvement.

Hon. Muntaka made these remarks while receiving a delegation from the EU, led by its Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Irchad Razaaly.

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 The delegation assessed the EU’s Defence and Security initiative in Ghana, as well as supporting the country’s security and defence capabilities.

The initiative is part of the EU’s integrated approach to tackling instability and insecurity challenges in the region.

 The EU Security and Defence Initiative (EU SDI) in the Gulf of Guinea region is geared towards strengthening the security and defence capabilities of Ghana and effectively respond to security threats.

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