Coronavirus robs Ghana celebration of freedom

The suspension of the 64th Independence Day anniversary parade means there won’t be a national celebration as always as Ghana continues to fight with strength, not letting it guards down against the novel coronavirus.

The numbers of the deadly pandemic keep surging day in and out making the second wave more dangerous than the former which has called on the need to halt every public activity by the president of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo with 18 days to commemorate the liberty won for Ghanaians from the hands of the British.

Ghana’s active cases stand at 7,850 with 656 new cases. The total confirmed figures of coronavirus is 76,492 and the death toll, 542.

The disease was first discovered in China, Wuhan in December 2019 and Ghana confirmed its first case on March 12, 2020, 6 days after the colourful independent celebration in the capital of the Ashanti Region, Kumasi.

The occasion was graced by government officials, past and present leaders of the nation, students, traders, security services and thousands of people at the Baba Yara Stadium and since then, Ghana has not been the same although the virus has not taken a keen show in the West African country as compared to a few others.

The Government is actively putting measures in place to contain the spread as succeeded during the primary stage of the disease and the ban on social gathering means it is very necessary for the President to hold on to the Independence Anniversary to first save lives.

In a letter dated February 16, 2021, from the Ghana Education Service signed by the Deputy Director-General, Anthony Boateng, this year’s “6th March celebrations and all its related activities in the Regions, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies across the country has been called off due to the dominance of cases of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Service, it’s received a letter from the office of the Chief of Staff and were directed by the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to suspend this year’s activities as the country continues the fight against the deadly virus.

“All Regional directors are therefore entreated to bring this important directive to the notice of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Education Directors and Heads of all institutions under their jurisdiction for strict compliance,” the statement said.