COVID-19 contact-tracers in the Ashanti Region have embarked on a strike to register their displeasure at the government for slashing their daily stipend from GHS 150 to GHS 70.

Currently, Ghana’s total COVID-19 casecount stands at 10,856 with 3,921 recoveries and 48 deaths.

The Ashanti Region has so far recorded 1,905 cases, the second highest regional caseload in the country.

In a letter addressed to President Akufo-Addo, the Coalition of Contract-tracers said: “For your information Mr President, contact-tracers in the Ashanti Region have not been working since 2nd of June 2020 till date.”

The Coalition indicated that since its members downed their tools, the country’s case load has increased.

Their letter said: “In effect, it means some 16,530 contacts are not being followed, which has the tendency of increasing our cases by some 33,060. With all these disturbing possible situations, it’s very surprising that no one is saying anything or responding to us.”

According to the contact-tracers, it was announced that they would be given a daily stipend of GHS 150 and were paid for the month of April.

“However, for the entire month of May, the money was not paid until on the 1st of June when we were asked to come the next day for our monies. We proceeded to our accountants for the money the next day only to be informed that, we are taking GHS70 per day and not the announced GHS150 per day.”