President Akufo-Addo has urged residents in Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western and Central regions to continue to adhere strictly to the Covid-19 preventive measures as cases there continue to increase.

In his 11th address to the nation since the outbreak of the pandemic in Ghana, the President said residents in these regions should not let their guards down.

“It is important for me to remind residents of the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions, where the great majority of cases have been recorded, and in the Western and Central Regions, where we are seeing an increase in infection cases, to continue to adhere strictly to the social distancing and enhanced hygiene protocols announced.”

As of June 13, Ghana has recorded 11,964 cases of Covid-19.

The Ghana Health Service has yet to provide a regional breakdown of the new figures but the old figures [as of June 11] show that Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western and the Central regions account for the highest cases.

Per the previous update of 11,422 cases, Greater Accra had a 6,997 case count while Ashanti had 2,021. Western region followed with 951 and Central 621.

These figures are likely to increase if a breakdown of the new cases are given, a reason President Akufo-Addo is urging caution.

“With the doctors and scientists telling us that the virus is transmitted from human contact, through talking, singing, coughing and sneezing, which results in sending droplets of the virus from one person to another, residents of these four regions, and, indeed, all Ghanaians, must remember that the wearing of masks is now mandatory,” President Akufo-Addo added.

With the wearing of face masks now mandatory, the police, President Akufo-Addo indicated, have been instructed to enforce the directive, which is the subject of an Executive Instrument.

“Let me repeat: our survival is in our own hands. If we are lax and inattentive, we will continue to have serious challenges with the virus.

“If we are mindful and self-disciplined, we have it in us to defeat this pandemic, and help return our lives to normalcy. I appeal to each and every one of you for your help in this regard,” the President urged.