Lockdown: Suspend utility bills for 90 days - Oscar Doe to Akufo-Addo

In the likely event of a lockdown on Ghana following the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus, businessman and philanthropist, Oscar Yao Doe is drawing the attention of President Nana Akufo-Addo to swiftly put in place measures to support the less privileged individuals in the country.

In an open letter to the President which was sighted by GhanaWeb, Mr Doe says the measures, if placed well, would support and reduce “the anxiety, panic and excessive stress Ghanaians are currently going through.”

Mr Doe enlists, among other measures, six key steps he says government must take in this regard:

1. The suspension of all electricity bills payment to all households across Ghana for 90 days.

2. The suspension of water bills payment for all households across Ghana for 90 days. Government should also sponsor water tankers to supply water to the most vulnerable communities across Ghana on a daily basis or at least thrice weekly.

3. Halve all utility bills (Water & Electricity) to all businesses across Ghana for 90 days.

4. Issue GH¢1,000 in cash or direct transfer payment to all Public Sector workers across Ghana, as well as guarantee full salary payment to all Public Sector workers for 90 days.

5. Inject direct financial support to all districts, metropolitan & municipal assemblies relative to their sizes.

6. Provide direct extra cash allowance to all frontline workers battling the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and take care of medical bills and feeding of Ghanaians who catch the virus.

Additionally, Oscar Doe is asking for the Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang to seek and immediate approval from the Presidency, through the Ministry of Finance to protect Ghanaian pensioners.

“SSNIT ought to issue direct cash or direct transfers of between GH¢1,000 up to GH¢2,000 based on salary grades as a Special Emergency Package to cushion pensioners across Ghana for 90 days.”

“This gesture could go a long way to reduce Fear, Panic and Anxiety”, he added.