Government is set to roll out guidelines to regulate the local production of face masks used in the fight against Covid-19 in Ghana.

The measures will spell out the minimum requirement necessary for the mass production of the personal protective equipment.

This was announced by President Akufo-Addo at a meeting with members of the Council of State on April 21, 2020.

Since the beginning of Ghana’s episode of the global Covid-19 pandemic, many individuals and groups have uncovered innovative ways to help adhere to the safety protocols recommended by health experts, including regular washing of hands, use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers and the use of PPEs such as nose masks to prevent transmission.

Many local tailors have channeled their skills into flooding the market with thousands of locally-made face masks, to augment the efforts of government in this time of crisis.

Government has subsequently taken steps to rope individuals in this vocation into the national effort.

While acknowledging the ingenuity of Ghanaians at the meeting with the Council of State, the President highlighted the need for these masks to conform to acceptable standards by the Health Ministry and the Ghana Standards Authority.

This he believes, will enhance the effectiveness of the personal protective equipment (PPE).

“The Ministry of Health, I am hoping, any day eminently… before the week is out, will come out with guidelines on what should be the minimum requirement and standards for producing them,” he said.

Some health workers among other frontline personnel across the country, have raised concerns about inadequate PPEs as a major setback in dealing with the spread of the novel coronavirus in their line of duty.

But the President further revealed that “the domestic production that we have rammed up is being confined to satisfy the needs of the health workers.”

The subsequent production will be expected to meet the incoming criteria to be set by the Health Ministry and the Ghana Standards Authority.

President Akufo-Addo also expressed appreciation for the donations made by the Council of State.

“I saw it in the papers and I was really exhilarated… It was very encouraging and I am grateful,” he said.