CASE STUDIES

NAMIBIA

Since the first recorded case on 13 March 2020, the government of Namibia has moved swiftly to implement measures that counter the spread of the virus. National efforts to contain the virus began by the declaration of a State of Emergency on 17 March 2020 and adaptation of other containment measures. These include the establishment of isolation treatment facilities, 14 days of mandatory quarantine, a community awareness campaign, a call centre to report suspected cases of COVID-19, as well as contact tracing, and a once-off grant payment to the most vulnerable.

Despite having one of the lowest infection rates so far on the continent, the government of Namibia has also rolled out economic stimulus and relief packages to mitigate the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic.

These include direct support to business, households and the labour market; support to the hardest-hit sectors, namely travel, tourism, aviation and construction; and a food and water subsidy. In addition, the government has directed the private sector to ensure no retrenchments of workers takes place during the lockdown period.

The government has also unveiled plans for free water and a food subsidy during the lockdown, to ensure that all Namibians have access to food and potable water during the lockdown, and in order to ensure that public hygiene is maintained.

TOGO

Togo has been proactive in combating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country by instituting the following measures:

• A two-week suspension, with effect from Friday 20 March 2020, of all flights from high-risk countries: Italy, France, Spain and Germany;

• The issuance by the president of the Republic of a decree establishing an inter-ministerial body to manage the health crisis caused by COVID-19, known as the National Coordination for Response Management in Togo (CNGR COVID-19).

• The establishment of a local response management committee,

which reports to the national co-ordination body;

• The dedication of a hospital (CHR Lomé Municipality) to patient

care, as well as a hotel in the capital for quarantine;

• The creation of a five-thousand-man strong special antipandemic force;

• The establishment of mobile laboratories for screening within

the country;

• The launch of a cash transfer programme for the most

vulnerable, called Novissi; and

• The introduction of specific support measures to sustain agricultural production and ensure food self-sufficiency, and the establishment of a National Solidarity and Economic Recovery Fund of 400-billion CFA francs.

COVID-19 Fund for SMMES in Ghana

Soon after the confirmation of its first COVID-19 case on 12 March 2020, the Republic of Ghana, under the leadership of Nana Akufo-addo, put in place a series of measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

These measures include banning travel into Ghana; restrictions on movements; resourcing research and testing laboratories; and social interventions.

On 30 March 2020, the president announced the imposition of partial lockdown for an initial period of two weeks from March 30. After its extension by one more week, the lockdown was finally lifted on 19 April.

Additional measures include the local production and supply of personal protective equipment, enhanced surveillance, intensive contact tracing and laboratory testing, and public education.

The government established a COVID-19 National Trust Fund aimed at assisting the needy and the most vulnerable in the society.

The Ghanaian private sector also set up a COVID-19 Fund worth Ghc100-million to complement the efforts of government. As part of its support to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMES), the government has allocated the amount of Ghc600-million (about $109-million) in soft loans to SMMES to sustain the country’s affected industries.

The president initiated a national dialogue with key national stakeholders, opposition political parties, organised labour and health professionals among others, to jointly discuss a co-ordinated approach in the fight against the deadly virus.

Surgical masks in Benin

Benin has been proactive in preventing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Instituted measures include:

• Setting-up of an ad hoc inter-ministerial committee for the management of the health emergency

associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and a committee of experts on the coronavirus; • Activation of the National Health Crisis Committee (CNCS) and the strengthening of health

surveillance at all points of entry to the country, particularly at Cotonou Airport and Port; • Thirty-million surgical masks were acquired by the government during the period and made available to the population at subsidised pharmacy prices. In addition, public transport operators were implored to provide their employees and passengers with appropriate masks or bibs;

• The government has authorised the provision of chloroquine at a subsidised price to pharmacies throughout the country and to the essential drug dispensing units of public health facilities, with a view to optimising therapeutic care in the best safety and control conditions. This therapy has been recommended on the basis of scientific evidence and evidence-based findings by the government-appointed expert medical committee;

• A decision was taken to systematically screen communities at risk, in particular medical and paramedical personnel, security and defence forces personnel and the prison community, effective since 27 April 2020.