The Minister of Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has been detained at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in Accra as part of precautionary measures, for further observation in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was disclosed in a statement released by the Press Secretary to the Minister, Rodney Nkrumah-Boateng, on Wednesday, 24 June 2020.

According to the statement, “On Tuesday, 16 June 2020, he underwent tests, including COVID-19, after feeling unwell for a couple of days”.

“He tested negative for the virus, and this informed his decision to travel to his constituency for his acclamation on Saturday, 20 June 2020”.

However, “Following his return to Accra, he felt unwell, and decided to check himself in for further tests, including a second test for COVID-19. Although the results are not out, he has been detained at UGMC as a precautionary measure for further observation due to his condition.”

Ghana’s COVID-19 caseload currently stands at 14,568 with 10, 907 recoveries and 95 deaths.

Meanwhile, to prevent further spread of the virus, the government has announced that persons who do not wear face masks in public will be sanctioned.

“A person who fails to comply with the restrictions imposed under the Executive Instrument issued under subsection 1 of Section 2, commits an offence and is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of not less than 1,000 penalty units (GHS12,000) and not more than 5,000 penalty units (GHS 60,000) or to a term of imprisonment not less than four years and not more than 10 years or to both.”