The following is a timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana from August 2020 to December 2020.
Timeline August 2020 Model-based simulations for Ghana indicate that the 95% confidence interval for the time-varying reproduction number R t was stable below 1.0 in August.Future scenarios of the healthcare burden of COVID-19 in low- or middle-income countries, MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College London. On 1 August, face shields were reported to have gained acceptance as protection against COVID-19, rather than the use of face masks, as they were claimed to be more comfortable when worn for long hours. On 2 August, the FDA claimed a hand sanitizer was safe for use and it does not contain acid after a viral video said it contains acid. UG and a transport company partnered to use chlorine disinfectant in the fight against COVID-19. On 3 August, GSS claimed the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on Ghanaian businesses and especially during the partial lock down. On 4 August, a media production company started to show an animated video series to create awareness on coronavirus safety measures. The ECG claimed about 1.7 million electricity consumers would benefit from the government's COVID-19 relief. A foundation donated assorted food items and PPE's to a family home on Winneba. On 5 August, the MP and MCE of Ablekuma West and the CEO of an organization to carry out education on COVID-19 to the public. They donated some items within the constituency. A company donated some PPE's to the MoH in the fight against COVID-19. The president claimed COVID-19 pandemic would not delay the completion of the Tema-Mpakadan Rail Project. On 6 August, a rapper in Ghana claimed even though COVID-19 has caused disappointments in 2020, he was looking forward to a more robust music industry in the country. On 7 August, GCB Bank approved GH¢100,000.00, an amount meant to be donated in aid to fight against COVID-19 and CMS in the Upper West region of Ghana. The executives of NASPA of Accra Metropolis distributed face masks on a two-day distribution exercise in parts of Greater region of Ghana. On 8 August, there was a report concerning COVID-19 outbreaks when students are back to school. On 9 August, the leader of Risk Communication for COVID-19 National response team claimed Ghana is making progress against the coronavirus battle because of certain measures the Government put in place. On 10 August, three NGO's organized COVID-19 sensitization for some communities in the Ashanti, Eastern and Volta regions in Ghana. An investigation revealed some staff of a hospital in Accra sold vital PPE's for personal gain as the country faced some shortages during the pandemic. An association donated PPE's to NMIMR which was valued at GHC 150,000. On 11 August, PPE sellers association raised concerns about the price fall of face shields because of the influx of lower versions. It was reported there was no case at the CCTH as all cases have been treated. On 12 August, GHS claimed four out of the 16 regions in Ghana did not have active cases of COVID-19. GHS collaborated with a company to develop a location-intelligence platform for reporting and sharing information on COVID-19 in the country. On 13 August, the second lady of Ghana encouraged the youth to develop ways to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 disease in Ghana. On 14 August, the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists asked the FDA to review the current criteria for the validation of RDT's for the virus in Ghana. On 16 August, Ghana's UNFPA Representative claimed COVID-19 pandemic has doubled the plight of the 'black girl'. The president claimed there is the need to be able to test every entrant into Ghana by air before the borders of Ghana are reopened. He also claimed none of the testing centers of COVID-19 had backlog of samples to be tested. He also pleaded with Ghanaians to wear the nose masks well to help fight against the pandemic. Some universities, technical universities and colleges claimed they are to return to school to complete the academic year. On 17 August, a group donated food items and toiletries to three orphanages to mitigate their plight during the COVID-19 pandemic. South Korea supported the COVID-19 response team of Ghana with medical supplies. The GHS claimed it would engage stakeholders to ensure entrants into Ghana are tested for COVID-19. The MFWA for West Africa called for financial relief packages for media such as tax breaks during COVID-19 pandemic. On 18 August, Zipline received commendations for supporting Ghana's fight against COVID-19 pandemic. UNICEF donated health equipment and accessories to the Greater Accra Regional Health Directorate for distribution. NCCE encouraged the public to prioritize personal safety to curb COVID-19. Head of State Award Scheme in Ghana donated masks to two institutions. On 19 August, the Head of Reproductive and Child Health of the GHS claimed nursing mothers who tested positive for the virus can still breastfeed their babies. On 20 August, a 10-member committee was inaugurated by the Minister of Education to advise and deliberate on re-opening of schools. Lions Clubs in the country donated PPEs to a hospital and police station in Akuse. KoKMA advised the chiefs and people of Osu to celebrate Homowo festival whiles observing the COVID-19 protocols. On 21 August, an events company fed people in Kumasi because of the implications of COVID-19. On 22 August, the World Bank claimed COVID-19 could force 100million global citizens into 'extreme' poverty. On 23 August, IATA released an airline self assessment health checklist to support ICAO take-off. On 24 August, it was claimed COVID-19 cases in Africa began falling in certain most hit countries. An organization distributed face masks to some religious bodies in the Hohoe Municipality. On 25 August, Lufthansa announced it was preparing to distribute COVID-19 vaccines. On 26 August, it was reported that a large number of Ghanaians were not adhering to the safety protocols meant to prevent the spread of the virus. The NCCE intensified its mass sensitization and education campaign on COVID-19 to the streets. On 27 August, UNICEF Ghana and the World Vision Ghana donated PPE's to the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources in the support on the fight against coronavirus. Water Aid Ghana collaborated with DFID UK and also Unilever, donated hands-free washing facilities to some government agencies in the country. Ministry of Finance in Ghana and the EU donated PPEs to the Ministry of Education and some NGOs to be distributed to some schools in the fight against COVID-19. On 28 August, the director of health promotion at GHS cautioned Ghanaians who have lowered the adherence to the COVID-19 safety protocols. GPRTU urged drivers to adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols. On 29 August, an NGO called for the protection of children who use online activities due to the advent of COVID-19. The US Ambassador to Ghana donated PPEs to GHS. On 30 August, an organization donated PPEs to two orphanages. KsTU donated some samples of foot-operated hand-washing machine the school built to KMA and other institutions to fight against COVID-19. The task force in Greater Accra Metropolitan Area claimed it is challenged in its effort to enforce the wearing of face masks directive and that the lack of adherence to this directive might cause a rise of COVID-19 cases in Ghana. On 31 August, the MoH claimed Ghana has put in place enough measures to detect possible COVID-19 cases at KIA. The president Nana Akufo-Addo in his address to the nation announced that all nursery, kindergarten, primary, JHS 1, SHS 1 students have had the rest of their academic year postponed til January 2021. According to the director of the GHS, children under the five years, air crew and passengers on transit would not undergo testing for COVID-19 at KIA. Travelers that arrive Ghana by air were expected to pay US$150 for COVID-19 test as part of measures to control the spread of the virus in Ghana.
September 2020 Model-based simulations indicate that the 95% confidence interval for the time-varying reproduction number R t was stable below 1.0 in September. On 1 September, the Deputy Health Minister justified the $150 fee that was charged for COVID-19 testing at the KIA. The CEO of a travel agency advised the government about the admission of people from high-risk COVID-19 countries into the country. An association urged the government to ensure there was timely supply of PPEs to SHS students. On 2 September, the NSS claimed all service personnel who were posted to educational institutions that remained closed because of the COVID-19 would still be paid their allowances in full. The FDA dispelled claims by a virologist at the NMIMR that the corona virus testing device that was used at the KIA was not reliable. About 200 passengers on three flights at the KIA successfully passed the COVID-19 tests on the first day of the reopening of the airport. A group claimed the $150 imposed by government as fees for COVID-19 test on travelers who arrived in Ghana was a violation of health regulations. On 3 September, the GHS announced there was no positive COVID-19 case among passengers who arrived at KIA. NMIMR claimed its assessment of COVID-19 testing process at the KIA has guaranteed it was highly appropriate and reliable. The GES and GHS jointly issued a guideline on how students can go home after their WASSCE exams. An organization partnered with GHS to launch an electronic version of Health Declaration Form to obtain travelers history and signs and symptoms for COVID-19. On 4 September, the NMIMR disassociated itself from the comment of one of its staff on the COVID-19 testing system at KIA. A lecturer at KNUST urged Ghanaians to tread cautiously to avoid a spike of COVID-19 active cases after restrictions were eased. On 5 September, GTA in collaboration with GACL held a sensitization workshop for tour operators and others after KIA was reopened. GHS and an institution organized a COVID-19 Children's quiz at the headquarters of Health Promotion Division. On 6 September, the Deputy Health Minister justified the reason the government opted for antigen test to prevent the importation of COVID-19 in Ghana. The CSO of Ghana distributed face masks and Information Education Communication materials to the less privileged. On 7 September, the Deputy Health Minister claimed Ghana recorded six new COVID-19 cases at the KIA after the airport was reopened. The CEO of Vodafone joined leaders in Africa to speak on the economic recovery of the continent after COVID-19. The GHS and others organized a day workshop for the Volta Regional House of Chiefs to sensitize them on the corona virus protocols and other ailments. The Education Minister was claimed to have been worried concerning what he called the "digital divide" amid attempts to digitize education in the country after COVID-19 disrupted schooling. On 8 September, the Minister for Information appealed to traditional authorities to help upscale public education to prevent the spread of the virus in the communities. The GIS claimed it had begun the issuance of Emergency Entry Visa after Ghana's airport was reopened. A company donated foodstuffs to the Kumasi South Hospital in the fight against corona virus at the facility. On 9 September, the office of MTN in the South West donated about 6000 KN95 nose masks to two hospitals in the Western region. The GWCL claimed landlords and others who sell water to consumers can be arrested and prosecuted after it was announced by the government it is free.