Written By Kofi Wiredu - The COVID-19 virus has undoubtedly caused irreparable effects worldwide.

Written By Mabel Delassie Awuku - “The disease called STIGMA must be treated if we indeed want to see COVID-19 take a bow of defeat”.

Written By Stefan Nalletamby - As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating impact globally, the African continent, while less affected, is preparing to undergo its own severe social and economic crisis. As of April 7, over 10,000 cases have been reported across 52 countries in Africa (less than 1% of cases globally).

Written By Delight Kwame Siameh - COVID-19 is here with us amidst all other health issues, including malaria which still remains an issue of national, regional and global concern. Various preventive measures and public advocacy by media, youth groups, NGOs and others are in the right direction. However, the expected results can only be achieved if everyone makes it a point to follow preventive measures strictly.

The other day, I hinted in not so many words that the lifting of the lockdown shouldn’t only be seen via the lens of the science behind Covid-19. Because, while a lockdown may appear crucial for containment of the disease, a number of unintended consequences of a strict lockdown could have even more debilitating effects. For instance, how will those who need to earn on the daily, in order to eat, cope? How will they be able to pay for medical care for themselves and loved ones who may fall ill, or are currently ill from other non-Covid-19 related ailments? Among other needs?

As the pandemic continues, doctors and researchers are learning more about the symptoms of COVID-19. And, as it turns out, some of them -- like rashes -- may be easy to see.

A number of very important guidelines have been issued worldwide to address the COVID-19 pandemic, namely:
• frequently wash hands under running water with soap for at least twenty seconds
• sanitize hands periodically
• limit the number of face-to-face interactions
• observe basic social distancing protocols, etc.

A few days ago, I posted the following about the Coronavirus: “This is the threat to the global financial system we must guard against.

The partners in the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator announced grants of $20 million to three institutions—the University of Washington, University of Oxford, and La Jolla Institute for Immunology—to fund clinical trials in order to identify highly potent immunotherapies for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vodafone Ghana Foundation in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, has trained some medical practitioners in the country on relevant disciplines to support government’s risk communication and public education campaign on COVID-19.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has extended the ban on public gatherings by two more weeks.

Written By Amos Segbefia - Studies show that, Africa is endowed with more than 60% of the world’s resources. However, Africa remains the poorest of the continents in the world. Many countries in Africa are endowed with oil and mineral reserves that have the potential to transform their economies into first world nations. However, these endowments are seen as a curse rather than a blessing. This is because a majority of their citizens live in abject poverty.

The Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin Yeboah has gone into a mandatory 14–day self-isolation on the advice of his doctors.

Billboards urging Ghanaians to wear masks in the ongoing battle against the Coronavirus will be pulled down because they used an image of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo not wearing a face mask.

This week, I had planned to write on something other than the latest, scary buzzword in town: coronavirus, a.k.a COVID-19.

Confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Ghana has surged by over 400 cases in two days to a total of 2,074.

Written By Efua Idan Atadja - At 11:15pm on Friday, March 27, 2020, Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo in his address to the nation announced some “bold” measures to mitigate the local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. They included, a partial lockdown of Accra and Tema in the Greater Accra Region, Kasoa in the Central Region and Kumasi in the Ashanti Region; a Coronavirus Alleviation Programme which will see the release of a minimum of GH¢1 billion to households and businesses to address the disruption in economic activities; an extension of the tax filing date from April to June; a two percent reduction of interest rates by banks, effective April 1, 2020; the establishment of a COVID-19 Fund which will receive contributions and donations from the public to assist in the welfare of the needy and the vulnerable; among others. Subsequently, Ghana’s Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta in an address to Parliament on Monday, March 30, 2020 said the COVID-19 pandemic is set to cost the nation GH¢9.505 billion.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has come out with the guidelines for the reopening of schools.

The number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ghana has increased to 7.