Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has submitted a document to President Akufo-Addo detailing the economic implications in the event of a potential nationwide lockdown.
This follows a directive to the Finance Ministry to assess the impact of a possible lockdown on the country’s economy.
According to Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, this activity will inform the President’s decision whether to declare a lockdown or otherwise.
Mr President has been explaining what goes into deciding on a ‘lockdown’ pic.twitter.com/Mi1IIH9kmD
— Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (@konkrumah) March 26, 2020
So far, the country has recorded 132 COVID-19 cases with three deaths.
A cross-section of Ghanaians including experts have made calls to President Akufo-Addo to enforce a lockdown as part of measures to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
A senior research fellow at the Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, Dr Kofi Boni on March 21 advised a “gradual lockdown” which must be executed in a way that allows professions that offer very essential services to operate while all other sectors are gradually withdrawn.
But the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), while calling for same, wanted it rolled out with immediate effect.
On the back of this, the Finance Minister was directed to assess the possible impact of a lockdown on the economy to inform government’s decisions going foward.
Meanwhile, Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah disclosed to JoyNews’ Kwesi Parker-Wilson that the document has given government clarity on the cost to the nation if the protocol is implemented.
“That document has been around for some time. It keeps being recalibrated depending on the numbers and scenarios that come up. But we have clarity of what it may cost us in terms of growth and revenue etc,” he said.
Mr Nkrumah was also concerned about the implications of some of the proposed interventions on some sections of the population and the economy.
As part of measure to mitigate these issues, he explained that “as of Wednesday, the Minister of Finance and the Economic Management team had the opportunity to deliberate on those numbers.
“Most likely by Friday, he may have to come to parliament to explain if indeed government has decided to introduce some more economic measures beyond what has been done and what it means for the fiscal position for growth and everything else,” the Information Minister added.
Latest Stories
-
Cape Coast hosts final leg of National Talent Identification Program for Para athletes
35 minutes -
ESG and Boardroom Decisions: How Non-Financial Drivers Shape Financial Outcomes
1 hour -
Robust anti-laundering fight critical for regional stability – Veep
5 hours -
Car ploughs into crowd outside LA nightclub, injuring 30
6 hours -
GNAT President calls for parliamentary legislation to protect reinstated PTAs
8 hours -
NPP Abanga blames his NDC twin brother for his misfortune
9 hours -
NPP Abanga breaks ranks to shield NDC twin brother in ‘galamsey’ accusations
10 hours -
Saminu Abdul Rasheed smashes national record again with 9.84s sprint in Georgia
11 hours -
Blekusu Coastal project: We’re reclaiming our coastlines – Housing Minister
13 hours -
Pricey plantains push Ghana’s market sellers to diversify
13 hours -
Full list: NPP delegates approve 54 reform motions, reject proposals on youth age, election supervision
14 hours -
WAFCON 2024: Cynthia made it easy – Chantelle hails goalkeeper after penalty saves
14 hours -
Cyber Security Authority boss suspended over use of military bodyguard
14 hours -
WAFCON 2024: I want to make history – Grace Asantewaa dreams of lifting the trophy
14 hours -
Afenyo-Markin accuses NDC of rebranding and claiming credit for NPP projects
14 hours