June 4, 2020.  The Chairperson of the National Engineering Coordinating Team (NECT), Dr. Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey has noted with concern the disruption in the services by Mobile Telecommunication companies as well as other utility service providers due to the activities of road construction engineers, other utility contractors and consultants.

He said, the National Engineering Coordinating Team with membership of all the agencies is notifying all Road and other Utilities Contactors/Supervising Engineers/Consultants the incessant destruction of utility (telecommunication, Electricity and Water) infrastructure within the road reservation and the need for swift action to correct the situation.

“In these trying times of the COVID – 19 Pandemic, the demand for telecommunications, water and and services have reached a crescendo but the ability of the service providers to provide reliable service to the citizenry is being hampered by the activities of some road and utility contractors. It is essential that all utility lines especially that of the telecommunication, ECG and Ghana water industry is functioning at optimum capacity” said Mr. Ashigbey.

We entreat that you contact the NECT prior to the commencement of any road project to facilitate an inspection of the project with all utility agencies to locate or otherwise their infrastructure and also prepare for relocation.

About the NECT

The National Engineering Coordinating Team (NECT) was established to help coordinate the activities of players in the ROAD RESERVATIONS to ensure development and construction are done in a way that supports the stakeholders and reduces disruption in services by the agencies.

The NECT has representation from both public and private sector players as well as professional institutions that offer critical expert advisory services to the NECT.

NECT aims at;

1. Achieving encroachment free highways and arterial roads by 2022. (To ensure road safety, reduce travel time, guarantee efficient movement of goods and people to facilitate national development)
2. Enhancing communication and coordination between Member Agencies to prevent damages caused to utility and road infrastructure  (In order to protect the huge investment made in the road reservations).
3. Supporting Member Agencies to build strong Institutions.(To discharge their established mandate professionally without fear or favour)

You can contact the NECT on the following numbers for clarification and assistance;

Ing. Alex Kwadwo Asamoah       -        0244-278529

Mrs. Akua Sakyibea Vander-Pallen -   0246-380380

Signed

Alex Kwadwo Asamoah

Executive Secretary, NECT

To offer effective protection against COVID-19, masks must be used in combination with frequent hand washing with soap under running water, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer and physical distancing. They must be worn properly and changed frequently.

• Do not try on masks when buying
• Do not take off masks when talking.
• When drinking or eating, remove the mask appropriately and wear it afterwards correctly
• Carry extra clean masks for possible changes in the day.

Procedures for wearing a mask:

• First wash hands with soap under running water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Place the mask over the bridge of your nose
• Fit tightly but comfortably against the side of the face
• Then place the elastic bands behind your ears or tie the ropes around your head
• Stretch the mask downwards to cover your chin
• Allow for breathing without restriction
• Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash your hands with soap under running water
• Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is wet and wash after each use.
Remember; using masks is only effective if proper hand-washing and social distancing is ensured.

Removing and Care for Cloth Masks:

Remove the elastic bands or untie the ropes from behind (do not touch the front of mask)

How to Care for Cloth Mask

• Cloth masks should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use.
• Remove mask and put in a bowl of warm soapy water
• Wash it well until clean, rinsed under running water and dry the mask in open sun
• Iron mask and seal it in plastic bag ready for use
• If you notice any damage or change in shape, it is time to change it

Don’ts

• Do not use the same mask for more than 12 hours at a time
• Do not re-use single surgical masks more than twice or N95 masks more than three times

Source: Ghana Health Service

Accra, 14th April 2020: The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT) wishes to highlight interventions rolled out by its members to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the general public while supporting our collective efforts as a Nation in dealing with the pandemic.

Accra, 2 April 2020: The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT) has issued  these recommendations for the fair, responsible and rational use of telecommunications networks and the internet, during this period of the coronavirus crisis.