In an attempt to bolster a flagging economy, Ghana on Sunday removed the mandatory requirement for face masks to be worn in public.
The West-African country also reopened its land and sea borders after a two-year closure.
President Nana Akufo-Addo announced the decision on Sunday, citing a sustained drop in Covid infections (below 100) in Ghana and neighbouring countries.
He also scrapped the requirement for negative PCR tests for fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the country through the Kotoka International Airport in Accra from Monday.
Afuko-Addo said outdoor functions can resume at full capacity as long as all persons are fully vaccinated.
“It has been a difficult two years for all of us, and we are seeing light at the end of a very long tunnel,” the Ghanaian leader said.
“I appeal to all of us to live responsibly, protect ourselves at all times.”
Ghana joined dozens of African countries that have eased most Covid containment measures despite the World Health Organisation warning last week that the restrictions were being lifted too soon.
At the end of December 2021, the country’s debt to GDP ratio was 80.1%, recent data published by the Bank of Ghana indicates.
Recently, cost of living shot up with rising fuel prices due to the Ukraine crisis.
Last week, the president and his ministers slashed their wages by 30% along with other measures they hope will help generate $400 million in savings for state coffers.
Ghana has so far recorded 160,925 confirmed Covid cases. So far, it has vaccinated 13 million people with one dose and five million; 16% of the population has been fully vaccinated, according to the Ghana Health Service.
