In case of reply, the number and

\ date of this letter should be quoted

MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMEN1
Our Ref: ANO RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Your Ref: P. 0. BOX MB.50
Telephone: M: 020-4580806/7 ACCRA
□ Ml: 0302-940953 E-Mail: client.service@mlgrd.gov.gh
□ M2: 0302-940953
OM3: 0302-906828 REPUBLIC OF GHANA Date: 16Th March, 2020
CO: 0302-908224
RPT: 0302-932574

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COVID-19 DIRECTIVES TO MMDAs

In response to the Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), His Excellency Nana

Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic announced a number
of measures to contain and prevent the spread of the virus.

Thus, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD)

was tasked by the President to liaise with relevant authorities to improve
hygiene standards in the markets.

Pursuant to the above, the Ministry directs all Metropolitan, Municipal and
District Assemblies (MMDAs) to put the following measures in place with
immediate effect to prevent the spread:

• Set up Public Health Emergency Committee (PHEC) to operationalise

and monitor implementation of the directives within their area of
jurisdiction, especially at market places, lorry parks and other public
places to prevent the spread of the virus
• The Public Health Emergency Committee should be made up of the
following:
Metropolitan, Municipal, District Chief Executives (Chairperson),
Members of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Security
Committees, District Director of Health, District Director of Education,
District Information Officer, District NADMO Coordinator, District
Environmental Health Officer, Community Water and Sanitation
Agency, District Office of the National Ambulance Service and District
Coordinating Director (Secretary)
to collaborate with:
a) District Health Management Teams,
b) National Commission on Civic Education,
c) Department of Social Welfare and Community Development
d) Traditional Authorities,
 e) Faith Based Organisations,
f) Transport Unions,
g) Market Associations,
h) District Environmental Protection Agency Officer
i) Assembly Members and
j) Any other relevant stakeholders.
• Set up public sensitisation teams under the overall guidance of the
PHEC to undertake public health education on COVID-19 in all places
within their jurisdiction, especially at market places, lorry parks and
other public places using mobile vans, gong-gongs and any other
means available to improve hygiene standards through regular clean -
up and cleansing. The teams to be led by staff of ISD should include
staff of Environmental health, Health directorate, Social welfare,
NADMO and YEA.
• MMDCEs should negotiate for free airtime on FM stations in their
respective districts to broadcast messages and educate public on
preventive measures.

• Enforce bye laws on food safety, environmental sanitation, hygiene,

and also on entertainment and outdoor activities

• Ensure the availability of hand washing facilities with running water

and hand sanitizers at vantage points in markets, and all such public
places
All Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) are to coordinate and ensure
compliance with the above Directives and submit bi-weekly progress
reports to the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development on
implementation status.

Meanwhile, the Ministry is working on leveraging resources to improve

on sanitation conditions in our markets.

HAJIAA M~ ~ ; ; Y
MINISTER

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