By Francis Ogwo
As part of measures to improve the welfare conditions of health workers at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana has announced new welfare packages for the lockdown season.
Speaking in a broadcast the President said “There is an insurance sum of 350,000 cedes for each health personnel and ally professional at the forefront of the fight.There would also be a daily allowance of 150 cedes.”
He also placed a restriction on taxation on their emoluments for the period of lockdown while announcing a special allowance for them.
“All health workers will not pay taxes on their emoluments for April,May and June.March allowance will be paid alongside April.”he added.
The President who visibly expressed satisfaction on his country’s compliance with the restriction order also made provision for easy transportation through some major routes in the city.
“Free buses will be made available to convey health workers in Accra ,Kumasi ,Tema and Kasuwa to and fro along specific routes for the entire duration of the restriction”.
Having a relentless approach towards ensuring that the city centres are clean,President Addo instructed key personnels to ensure compliance.
“Towards ensuring the cleanliness of Ghana especially the Greater Accra and Kumasi ,the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources including 400 persons drawn from the Police, Military ,Fire Service & Prison Service have been assigned to clean the environment.” he stressed.
It would be recalled that Ghana in compliance with the global measures against the spread of covid 19 had announced a lockdown on the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area and the Greater Kumasi Area.
This development he had personally monitored with assurance of the welfare and safety as priority .
