In the wake of the World Health Organisation’s classification of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus as a pandemic, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured the nation of the preparedness of the local health authorities to handle any outbreak of the virus in Ghana, while appealing to citizens to take their personal health and habits serious.

The President made gave the assurance and made the appeal during a broadcast to the nation on Wednesday. The virus which has affected over 118,000 persons and caused over 4000 deaths globally, has made its presence in some West African countries including our neighbours, with Ivory Coast recording its first case on Tuesday, following recorded cases in Togo and Burkina Faso.

President Akufo-Addo said the continuous monitoring of the pandemic has revealed significant developments and noted that the nation’s premier medical laboratories have no confirmed cases after tests on 57 suspected cases.

He said in order to enhance the nation’s preparedness further, some additional measures have been directed by him, which includes a further injection of funds and the adherence to certain protocols.

On foreign travels, the President made a fervent appeal to Ghanaians to desist from travels unless very critical, until there is a grip on the virus.