Ashesi University is suspending classes effective Monday, March 16, 2020.
This comes in the wake of the outbreak of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in the country.
A notice from the school said “we are pausing all classes, effective immediately, until further notice.”
The school’s definite decision comes after the government announced a new travel advisory that includes a ban on travel to Ghana by persons from countries with more than 200 reported cases of COVID-19.
“We are therefore prohibiting large gatherings on campus indefinitely, including all interest based club meetings and faith-based convenings…Students who can go home can do so from tomorrow. International students and other students who cannot go home in the near-term are allowed to stay on campus, and all campus services will be available to you. Students who are already at home, are encouraged to stay for this period. Should your parent(s) be coming to campus to pick you up, please note that they will not be allowed into the dorms. Parents would have to meet you in the car park(s) for pick-up,” the school indicated.
The school said it in the coming weeks it will engage the community on ways forward in continuing teaching and learning.
“We will be entering conversations with faculty and staff; and communicating next steps for the continuation of teaching and learning to the whole university community. Additional communication will be sent to faculty and staff shortly about meeting times.”
“In the interest of the well-being of our entire community, we will be sending updates like this as frequently as possible to ensure you are all aware of ongoing conversations and planning,” Ashesi’s notice said.
The school in a series of tweets added that students who are home should not report to campus.
“Students who are already at home, are encouraged to stay through this period. Should parent(s) be coming to campus to pick up students, please note that you will not be allowed into student hostels. Parents would have to meet their ward in the car park(s) for pick-up,” one of the tweets read.
University of Ghana suspends lectures
The University of Ghana earlier on Sunday announced that it has temporarily suspended lectures.
The announcement followed confirmation that one of the six cases recorded in the country was of a student who had returned from the US.
Coronavirus cases in Ghana
As at noon on Sunday March 15, 2020, six cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in Ghana.
Director of Public Health at Ghana Health Service, Dr Badu Sarkodie who provided updates on the country’s cases on Sunday said all the cases were imported into the country.
The first two cases were confirmed on Thursday March 12, 2020.
Two other cases were confirmed on Friday, March 13, 2020 while an additional two were confirmed on Saturday, March 14, 2020.
Five of the cases were confirmed in the Greater Accra Region while the remaining one was confirmed in the Ashanti Region.
Source: CNR
