A founding father and a stalwart of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Amoako Tuffour has passed away.

According to available information, he died on Thursday, January 21, but the cause of death is yet to be made public.

However, sources say he died after testing positive for Covid-19.

If this is anything to go by, his death adds to the growing list of prominent personalities in Ghana killed but joins a shorter list of NPP members reported to have died from the virus.

Since the first two cases were recorded in the country in March 2020, the Ghana Health Service says the country has recorded about 358 deaths.

Over the weekend, some 10 Ghanaians were alleged to have died from the virus including a teacher at the Ghana International School.

On Monday, January 18, 2021, the death of the National Security Coordinator at the Presidency, Joshua Kyeremeh was also reported.

Mr. Kyeremeh was said to have died of kidney complications at the Ga East Municipal Hospital, where he was being treated for Covid-19.

Again, the Associate Director of Students Life and Engagement at Ashesi University, Frances Awua-Kyerematen, passed away due to Covid-19 complications on the afternoon of January 15.

She was battling Covid-19, few days after celebrating her birthday.

Also, renowned journalist, political commentator and Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, lost his brother to the virus.

Nanabanyin Pratt is reported to have died from coronavirus complications on Sunday, January 17, 2021. 

But as the country continues to mourn, there was yet another report of the death of the Managing Director of Best Point Savings and Loans.

Mr Philip Odei Asare, according to reports, succumbed to the deadly virus on the morning of Wednesday, January 20, 2021.

All these reports come days after President Akufo-Addo warned that he will be forced to re-impose restrictions on movement should the surge in active Covid-19 cases persist.

The President during his latest update to the nation explained that based on detailed investigations, he has arrived at the conclusion that “apart from arriving passengers at our airport who tested positive, the surge in Covid-19 cases is due to people not wearing masks at public gatherings, parties, weddings, end of year office programs, family get-togethers and funerals.”

He also directed the Ghana Police Service to ensure that all nightclubs, pubs, cinemas, and beaches that break the law of mask-wearing are closed.

Regulatory Agencies were then authorised by the President to undertake random checks to ensure that people and places conform to the Covid-19 rules.

“Should any facility or institution fail to comply with these directives, its activities will be immediately prohibited, and appropriate sanctions applied,” President Akufo-Addo said.

Furthermore, he warned Ghanaians that persons arrested by security agencies on the basis of not wearing face masks will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.

“It is important that I remind all Ghanaians that severe punishments exist on our statute books for persons breaking the law on the mandatory wearing of masks.”