On 31 May 2020, President Nana Akufo-Addo has reviewed the ban on social gatherings which were imposed as part of measures to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Ghana. The easing of bans on religious and other social gatherings, including a limited school reopening, came into effect between 1 and 15 June.
In his Address to the nation, President Akufo-Addo expressed his worries about a possible surge in infections because of the ease of restrictions. “Yes, there exists the possibility of a potential surge in infections”, he said. (Source: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/ban-on-social-gatherings-reviewed-100-people-can-now-attend-church-services.html).
Was he right to be worried? Here are the facts.
From 15 June to 30 June, the total number of deaths caused by Covid-19 doubled – from 54 total deaths on 15 June, to 112 total deaths on 30 June.
Before that, it took a month to double the number of total deaths – from 28 total deaths on 15 May to 54 total deaths on 15 June.
The increase in the number of deaths significantly accelerated from 15 June.
Also, the number of total cases increased from 8,070 on 1 June to 17,741 on 30 June.
On average, the number of daily cases decreased from early May until 1 June, and then it started to increase. (Source: Worldometers.info, https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/ghana/).
After studying the data, there is only one conclusion: President Nana Akufo-Addo was right to be worried. We do see a surge in infections after he ordered an ease on restrictions. This surge is directly attributable to his decision.