On the night he declared restrictions on movement in some parts of the country as part of drastic measures to limit and stop the importation of Coronavirus, contain its spread, provide adequate care for the sick and limit the impact of the virus on social and economic life, the president wore a fabric of a drop of tears which suggested he was grieving with the populace.
Prior to this, he donned the ‘ani bre a enso gya’ cloth – to wit, red eyes can’t spark flames - which symbolizes patience, self-control and discipline in his 3rd address to the nation on the country’s preparedness to the fight the pandemic. On that night, he announced, among others, the closure of the country’s borders to human traffic for two weeks.
In the midst of the public outcry and request for some social interventions from government, the president, on Sunday, April 5, 2020 disclosed some reliefs.
Among others, the president mentioned that the government will absorb the water bills for all Ghanaians for April, May and June; roll out a soft loan scheme up to a total of six hundred million cedis (GH¢600 million), which will have a one-year moratorium and two-year repayment period for micro, small and medium scale businesses.
An insurance package, he said “with an assured sum of three hundred and fifty thousand cedis (GH¢350,000) for each health personnel and allied professional at the forefront of the fight, has been put in place, with a daily allowance of one hundred and fifty cedis (GH¢150) being paid to contact tracers.”
A tax holiday for all health workers, for the next three months was also announced while disclosing that “all frontline health workers will receive an additional allowance of fifty per cent (50%) of their basic salary per month, i.e April, May, and June. The March allowance will be paid alongside that of April.”
President Akufo-Addo made the disclosure in his usual long sleeve African print. The dress he wore on the night, according to a tweep known for having a background in artistry and African prints is ‘Yaw Donkor’.
“President Akufo-Addo is wearing Yaw Donkor [A Servant]. From the expression: se akoa som som pa a wotumi di akonnwa (A good servant rise to become a king). Nana Addo is a good servant and he is inspiring empowerment,” the tweet read.
President Nana Akufo-Addo addressed the nation on Sunday, April 5, 2020