Govt suspends international conferences
The Government of Ghana has announced the suspension of all international conferences scheduled to take place in the country for the next three months to forestall the outbreak of the Ebola virus in the country.
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In addition, it has advised all Ghanaians not to travel to any of the Ebola-affected countries (Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia) “unless it is absolutely necessary.”
The decision, announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration yesterday, forms part of the government’s measures to curb the Ebola menace that has so far claimed over 1000 lives in the sub-region.
At a press briefing, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms Hannah Tetteh, explained that “Most of the international meetings that take place involve regional meetings that have the potential of bringing in visitors from other parts of our sub-region and that is another opportunity for people coming into our country to, perhaps, pass on the virus to others.”
Travel advice
The minister cautioned that even when it was absolutely necessary for one to travel to the affected countries, it was still advisable not to travel, “especially given the accelerated presence of the Ebola virus.”
“Please note that now that we have given you this travel advisory, if you do travel and you are caught up in some difficulties and the government is not immediately in a position to respond, we don’t have to be blamed; we have given you a fair warning. This is something that we believe you should desist from doing,” she warned.
Exemptions
Nigeria, which has also recorded cases of Ebola, was, however, not part of the banned countries because that country has taken rapid steps to limit the spread of the disease “and we think that is commendable”.
Ms Tetteh, however, explained that the government would be monitoring developments in Nigeria and when the need arose, the citizens would be advised accordingly.
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“The reason why we are doing this is because, ultimately, it is the movement from various states and coming into contact with people who have been affected by the virus which creates greater opportunity for the transmission of the virus,” she explained.
She advised the media to pay attention to the press notifications that would be coming out from time to time from the government’s inter-ministerial team working on Ghana’s Ebola response.
Writer’s Email: severious.dery@graphic.com.gh