The Deputy Minister for Trade, Mr Robert Ahomka-Lindsay has stated that the local production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has saved the country over $16.8 million in foreign exchange.

Providing an update on the Covid-19 response program by government, the Deputy Trade Minister said that the country's trade deficit has been improved since there was no need for the importation of PPEs.

The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the country earlier this year called for PPEs in the health institutions to help combat the virus.

Mr Ahomka-Lindsay mentioned that interventions and policies by the government made it easier to ensure the safety of Ghanaians.

"The science made it clear that we needed these PPEs to help us fight this pandemic," he said.

He stated that although several countries were and are still perturbed by issues of PPE production, Ghana turned its focus to its manufacturing businesses.

"The effect of the pandemic was that global value chains almost came to a standstill. I still see planes by international countries flying for PPEs.

"But in Ghana, we turned our attention to our existing manufacturing businesses.

"Companies ensured that we could mobilise them to manufacture these PPEs for the Ghanaian people," he added.

Mr Ahomka-Lindsay also indicated that aside saving the country foreign exchange in excess, over 10,000 jobs were also created in the production of face masks and other protective equipment.

He further urged Ghanaians to follow the necessary precautionary protocols as the ministry continues to do its part in the fight against Covid-19.