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Ministry of Finance signs compact agreements for post Covid-19 transformation with Tourism and Trade Ministries under the Ghana CARES Obaatanpa programme
Ministry of Finance signs two compact agreements for post Covid-19 transformation with Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Trade & Industry under the Ghana CARES Obaatanpa programme.
On Tuesday, 11th May 2021, the Ministry of Finance, as part of modalities to kick-start the implementation of the Ghana Covid-19 Alleviation and Revitalisation of Enterprises Support (GhanaCARES) Obaatanpa programme signed the first two out of 8 compact agreements with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for an amount of One Hundred million Ghana cedis (Ghs100,000,000.00) and the Ministry of Trade & Industry for an amount of Two Hundred and Eighty Two million Ghana cedis (Ghs282,000,000).
These is extra allocations fall outside of the two Ministries annual budgetary allocation to ensure strategic and catalytic interventions that will foster a quicker recovery and boost our post COVID-19 economic transformation.
The Compact is a partnership agreement between the Ministry of Finance, as the Coordinating authority, and sector Ministries, under the supervision of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee (IMCC) to ensure effective and timely delivery of the targets set for the various Ministries under the CARES programme for the 2021 fiscal year.
About Ghana Government COVID Support
Two key initiatives that government has put in place to provide relief to local businesses are the CAP-Buss and the Ghana CARES Obaatan Pa Programme.
The government established the GHS100billion Covid-19 Alleviation and Revitalization of Enterprises Support (CARES) programme to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the lives and livelihoods of Ghanaians, and to ensure that Ghanaians quickly emerge from the pandemic with a stronger and more resilient economy.
CAP-BuSS INITIATIVE
The Corona Virus Alleviation Programme – Business Support Scheme (CAP-BuSS) of GH¢600.0 million is to specifically support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and was launched by H. E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on 19th May, 2020. The Scheme is part of the GH¢1.2 billion CAP approved by Parliament to address the disruption to economic activities due to the pandemic. Under the Scheme, Government, through the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), and in collaboration with the business and trade associations and selected commercial and rural banks, rolled out a soft loan scheme with a one-year moratorium and two-year repayment period for MSMEs. The objectives of the Scheme are to provide emergency relief fund for MSMEs and entrepreneurs in Ghana, establish a comprehensive and financially sustainable emergency relief fund package for MSMEs, and provide them with technical assistance to ameliorate the impact of COVID-19.and provide them with technical assistance to ameliorate the impact of COVID-19.
FUNDING FOR COVID19 RELIEF EFFORTS
Before the first case of COVID-19 in Ghana was confirmed on 12th March, 2020, Government had proactively put together the GH¢560 million National Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) for COVID-19 to manage and contain the spread of the virus and strengthen the national capacity for surveillance, diagnosis, and case management.
Photos: Kotoka Airport Receives First Passengers After Re-Opening
Yesterday, September 1, 2020 the Kotoka International Airport received about 200 passengers arriving on three (3) separate flights since President Nana Addo announced the reopening of Ghana’s Airport. This comes on the heels of the recent certification of Ghana as a #SafeTravels destination by the World Travel and Tourism Council.
COVID-19 guidelines released ahead of reopening of airport on Sept 1
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has written to the management of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) detailing safety protocols for the resumption of international air travel amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.
Authorities of the health management body say they have identified overcrowding as one of the major factors contributing to the spread of the virus hence the instituted measures to stem the rate of infection during the easing of COVID-19 restrictions on flight travel.
The GHS says in view of this, the Ghana Airports Company Limited must demonstrate it would not be a place for the transmission of the virus.
Key amongst the four measures is for the airport management to ensure that there is no form of congestion at the facility while ensuring strict adherence to social distancing and compulsory wearing of face masks protocols.
Below are the measures the GHS has ordered KIA to put in place:
1. Ensure there is no congestion at all sections of the airport (arrival, departure and environs) to fail adherence to social distancing protocols.
2. Compulsory mask wearing for all passengers (both arriving and departing) as well as staff
3. Temperature monitoring to continue at both arrival and departure terminals
4. Ensure social distancing and compulsory mask-wearing at the car parks and in front of all terminals.
Ghana Health Service is hopeful should these measures be operationalized and strictly adhered to, the potential risk of COVID-19 transmission at the Kotoka International Airport as a result of the reopening of the country’s air border will be minimal.
It has also assured the airport management of its highest form of cooperation to “develop the enabling protocols for ensuring passengers and staff safety.”
Recently, President Akufo-Addo hinted the country is preparing to reopen its airports to human traffic.
According to the president, he has instructed the Ministry of Aviation, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the Ghana Airports Company Limited to work with the Ministry of Health and its agencies, to ascertain the country’s readiness to reopen the airport.
Already, the GHS has said it was engaging various stakeholders to come up with modalities to ensure all persons who arrive in the country are tested for COVID-19 ahead of the possible opening of air borders in September.
Ghana’s air, sea and land borders were closed on Sunday, March 22, 2020, as part of efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
The closure left thousands of Ghanaians who have consistently appealed for help over the last few months stranded abroad.
The President reminded Ghanaians that “special dispensation will continue to be given for their evacuation back to Ghana.”
But the government’s pre-condition for evacuation was that the stranded citizens bear the full cost of their ticket 14-day mandatory quarantine when they arrive in the country because of the threat of the novel coronavirus.
In some instances, the government has subsidized the cost of travel and quarantine.
Source: citinewsroom
100% Of Global Destinations Now Have Covid-19 Travel Restrictions – UNWTO Report
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted all destinations worldwide to introduce restrictions on travel, research by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has found. This represents the most severe restriction on international travel in history and no country has so far lifted restrictions introduced in response to the crisis.
Following up on previous research, the latest data from the United Nations specialized agency for tourism shows that 100% of destinations now have restrictions in place. Of these, 83% have had COVID-19-related restrictions in place already for four or more weeks and, as of 20 April, so far no destination has lifted them.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism has shown its commitment to putting people first. Our sector can also lead the way in driving recovery. This research on global travel restrictions will help support the timely and responsible implementation of exit strategies, allowing destinations to ease or lift travel restrictions when it is safe to do so. This way, the social and economic benefits that tourism offers can return, providing a path to sustainable recovery for both individuals and whole countries.”
Tracking Restrictions by Time and Severity
The social and economic benefits that tourism offers can return, providing a path to sustainable recovery for both individuals and whole countries.
As well as a general overview, the UNWTO research breaks down the type of travel restrictions that have been introduced by destinations in all of the global regions, while also plotting the evolution of these restrictions since 30 January – when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The latest analysis shows that, of 217 destinations worldwide:
- 45% have totally or partially closed their borders for tourists – “Passengers are not allowed to enter”
- 30% have suspended totally or partially international flights – “all flights are suspended”
- 18% are banning the entry for passengers from specific countries of origin or passengers who have transited through specific destinations
- 7% are applying different measures, such as quarantine or self-isolation for 14 days and visa measures.
Against this backdrop, UNWTO has been leading calls for governments worldwide to commit to supporting tourism through this unprecedented challenge. According to Secretary-General Pololikashvili, the sudden and unexpected fall in tourism demand caused by COVID-19 places millions of jobs and livelihoods at risk while at the same time jeopardising the advances made in sustainable development and equality over recent years.
Source: UNWTO
Tourism Joint Committee On COVID-19 Presents Report To Minister Of Tourism
A joint committee of GTA and GHATOF that was set up by the CEO of GTA , Mr. Akwasi Agyeman to look at the impact of COVID-19 on the Tourism and Hospitality Industry and also recommend ways to improve the industry post COVID- 19 have submiited their report to the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
This Committee was Chaired by the Deputy CEO in charge of Operations, Mr Ekow Sampson with the following as members:
Madam Bella Ahu, President of GHATOF
Mrs Stella Appenteng, Managing Director, ApstarsTours
Mrs Roberta Dawson-Amoah, GTA
Mrs Betty Kobi,GTA
Mr Ben Anane Nsiah,GTA
Mr Spencer Doku, GTA
Dr. Edward Ackah- Nyamike Jnr., President of Ghana Hotels Association(GHA)
Mr. Kwesi Eyison, President of Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA)
Mr. Emmanuel Frimpong, Executive Secretary, GHATOF.
Tourism Ministry and Ghana Tourism Authority Donate PPE’s to Industry Players
The Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Hon. Mrs. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi today, 23rd April 2020 on behalf of the government of Ghana has made its 4th donation of essential equipment to fight against COVID-19 to the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) and tourism industry players.
Today’s donation was made to Travel Trade Associations under GHATOF being Traditional Caterers Association, Indigenous Caterers Association, Ghana National Association of Drinking Bars (GHABOA), and the National Drinking Bar Association (NADBOA).
Items donated include 2000 pieces of Veronica buckets, 2000 plastic handwashing bowls, 24 boxes of hand sanitizers, 80 boxes of nose masks, 10,000 pieces of hand gloves, 32 boxes of liquid soaps, 160 packs of tissue paper.
Chefs Association launch project ‘Cooking to save lives’ to feed frontlines fighting COVID-19
The Chefs Association has launched a project to feed frontlines fighting against COVID-19. this was made known at a presentation at the Accra Tourist Information Centre. Chefs Association has set up four (4) industrial kitchens to cook for front-line staff fighting COVID-19.
Chefs Association has pledged to provide 1,000 packs of food for the next 2 weeks. Chef Issac, President of the Association said that the project “Cooking to Save lives” seeks to cook 1,000 packs of food for the security agencies and another 1000 for Medical personnel. They are ready, and with the needed resources can feed up to 10,000 people daily. Presented 400 packed meals ahead of providing 1000 packs daily beginning Wednesday, April 1, 2020.
In her remark, Madam Bella Ahu, Mad. Bella Ahu called for support for the Association who she says has the capability to cook for the vulnerable across the country.
The Minister of Tourism, Hon. Barbara Oteng Gyasi appreciated the gesture of Chefs Association and on behalf of the Ministry and it’s agencies, represented by Ghana Tourism Authority presented food items such as rice and oil saying the Ministry was going to support the initiative with cash and items worth GHS 100,000.00. The Deputy Minister of Tourism thanked the Association for their initiative and remarked that they have become the shining star in times of need.
Mr. Freeman Tettey of the Ghana Police service and member of the COVID-19 operation team received the items on behalf of the Frontliners expressing appreciation for the thought and gesture.
The Minister in her closing remarks said she was going to seek further support of the private sector urged the Association to consider the vulnerable in society in these times. #stayhome #COVID_19 #covid #CoronavirusUpdate #SeeGhana #FeelGhana #LockdownGhana #StayAtHome #COVID19 #TheLockdown #supportsmallbusiness #supportlocal
GTA Orders Closure Of Beaches
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture ( MOTAC), the Ghana Tourism Authority ( GTA) would like to remind the public about the Government’s directives suspending all public gatherings.
In this regard, the GTA hereby orders all beaches to be closed to the public until further notice. The GTA with the support of National Security and the Ghana Police Service will begin patrols of the beaches from Tuesday 24th March 2020, to ensure compliance with the closure order.
The general public and tourist business operators are urged to be mindful of the precautionary measures announced by the President of the Republic to fight the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Issued by GTA
Paragliding and Other Tourism Events Suspended
Following the directives of the President of the Republic of Ghana banning all public gatherings, the Ghana Tourism Authority wishes to inform the General Public that the Annual Kwahu Paragliding Festival, 2020 has been called off with immediate effect.
All those who have registered and paid to participate in the Paragliding festival should contact the following for further directives: 0244161585 and email on info@visitghana.com.
In addition, all Regional Tourism and the National Tourism Awards slated between March and April have been postponed until further notice. The Authority will announce new dates and schedules for these events when the situation normalizes.
We apologize for the inconvenience caused and kindly entreat all and sundry to adhere to the precautionary measures which have been put in place by the Government of Ghana through the Ghana Health Service to prevent the spread of COVID -19.
Please call the Ghana Health Service hotlines on 0558439868/ 0509497700 for assistance.
Don’t be scared, just take care.
Thank you.
ISSUED BY THE GHANA TOURISM AUTHORITY.
In a related matter, The CITI TV / CITI FM Heritage Month Events have also been called off. Also all activities linked to the Kwahu Easter celebration have been called off.