Former President John Mahama wants the government to produce a comprehensive plan that aims at stemming the surge in the number of new coronavirus cases recorded in the country.

The flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) said although it is good to seek the face of God in the midst of adversity, it is equally important for the government to have a detailed plan of action to be followed by all.

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in a national broadcast Saturday to announce new measures such as the closure of all the country’s borders, also declared Wednesday, March 25, 2020, as the national day of prayer and fasting against the spread of the novel coronavirus also known as COVID-19.

"Whilst we continue to adhere to these measures and wrap up our efforts to defeat this virus, I urge all of us also to seek the face of the Almighty. So on Wednesday 25 March 2020, I appeal to all Ghanaian Christians and Muslims to observe a national day of fasting and prayer."

However, addressing a service Sunday, organised by the NDC to end three days of prayer and fasting by the opposition party, Mr. John Mahama said, prayers alone are not enough to halt the spread.

“It is my earnest prayer that at a time such as this, the public welfare will triumph over personal and partisan interest. Our leaders owe this nation not just prayers but a plan too. One that all of us can believe in, that we can rally around, and that we can commit our hearts and mind to. For while hope brings comfort it is not in itself a strategy,” the former President told party faithful. 

He wants the government to take a cue from the best and worst-case response scenarios such as Korea and Italy even as the world accelerates research towards the production of a vaccine.

“A plan that involves ensuring that frontline health care workers as a matter of urgency have the manuals, appropriate training and protective logistics to boost their confidence in fighting this disease.

“We must act even as we pray!”

NDC's team of experts

He announced the party has assembled a technical team to collaborate with the government in combating the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the former president, the team is made up of experts from the various fields that are required to implement a national action plan on COVID-19.

Members of NDC’s Covid-19 response team include former Minister for Health, Alex Segbefia; Public Health Expert and Former Dean of School of Public Health, UHAS, Professor Margaret Kweku; Interdisciplinary Medicine Expert, Dr. Vida Yarkong and Senior Medical Consultant and former General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr. Jehu Appiah.

The rest are former Minister for the Interior Prosper Bani who is also a former Head of UNDP’s Crisis Prevention and Recovery Team for Africa as well as MP for Klottey Korle, Dr. Zenator Rawlings who is also a Medical Doctor.

Ghana’s latest COVID-19 updates

The Ghana Health Service on Sunday confirmed, the number of active cases have risen to 24.

Among the confirmed cases, 17 are of Ghanaian nationality and seven other nationals namely: Norway, Lebanon, China, France and the United Kingdom.

One person, a Lebanese trader based in the Ashanti Region capital, Kumasi, has however, died.

According to the health officials, the 61-year-old had "underlying chronic pulmonary condition prior to having COVID-19."