Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Ghana has witnessed a jump in recent weeks with the West African country recording over 500 per cent increase in infections in the last two weeks.
Ghana’s new daily coronavirus cases increased from an average of 25 per day to 130 in the last fortnight, raising concerns about a possible second wave of the virus in the country.
President Nana Akufo-Addo, in a televised address on Sunday, said the government would step up contact tracing, testing and treatment of Covid-19 cases to stop the spread.
The government has also extended pay incentives for health workers to the end of December – which include tax exemption and a 50% pay rise for Covid-19 frontline workers.
Ghanaians will also continue to enjoy a free water supply to promote regular hand washing.
President Akufo-Addo attributed the increased infections to a disregard of Covid-19 safety protocols, including social distancing and the wearing of masks.
Although large political rallies are banned in the country, campaign activities have heightened ahead of polls in December, with many ignoring the safety protocols.
Ghana’s active cases have increased to 1,139 from 398 over the last three weeks. The country has so far registered 320 deaths as of Friday.