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Ghana's Decision to Lift Partial COVID-19 Lockdown Criticized by Some

Stacey Knott

   ACCRA - Ghana has lifted a three-week partial lockdown in major cities
   over the coronavirus - one of the first African countries to ease such
   restrictions. Some Ghanaians say they fear the restrictions are being
   lifted too soon, while struggling shop owners and daily wage workers
   were already back at work as the lift took effect Monday.

   President Nana Akufo-Addo announced an end to the partial lockdown in a
   televised address late Sunday.

   Akufo-Addo said the nation is not letting down its guard against the
   pandemic.

   Public gatherings are still banned, schools remain closed and social
   distancing measures continue. The borders will remain closed for a
   further two weeks to stop the virus from entering the country.

   He said Ghana was taking action to protect its people from the virus
   was but using an approach which suits the country.

   "We shall be nimble and adapt as the situation changes. We will tailor
   our solutions to our unique social, economic and cultural conditions.
   There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but I pledge to you that
   government will do whatever is required, in our particular
   circumstances, to safeguard the lives of our people, and keep our
   economy going," said the president.

   Reaction to the speech was mixed. Many on social media say the move is
   premature. Ghana has seen more than 1,000 cases of coronavirus to date,
   although the death toll has been low, with only nine fatalities.

   Ernest Agyei Badu, who sells television sets in Accra, saidhe is
   pleased the lockdown is over. He had spent the time in Kumasi, which
   was also in partial lockdown.

   On Monday morning, he took a bus back to the capital so he could return
   to work.

   "There were a lot of issues. I had imported a lot of TVs and they were
   all locked up in the warehouse, and nothing was going on, so I
   personally didn't support the lockdown. I have workers; how am I going
   to pay them when we are not selling? So, it was a big problem," he
   said.

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