The Ghana Union of Traders Association, GUTA, has advised business travelers to China to put their travel plans on hold.
The caution follows the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus in China which has so far killed over a hundred people and infected more than four thousand others.
The General Secretary of GUTA, Alpha Shaban, in a Citi Business News interview stressed the need for his members to suspend their trips to China until the situation is brought under control.
“When we heard of the outbreak, we have been monitoring and also following what the health authorities have been saying, and we think it is necessary to advise our members who intend going to China during the outbreak to hold on until a time when the situation is brought under control,” he said.
Mr. Shaban further encouraged members of GUTA who may have pressing engagements with business counterparts to resort to the internet for communication where necessary.
“We have asked our members who may have to do business transactions, to resort to electronic means to communicate with their business counterparts in China,” he added.
Ghana’s Ministry of Health has announced the creation of health centres to take care of any reported case of the deadly disease.
The Ghana Immigration Service has also introduced a screening system to check immigrants from China into Ghana at the airport.
So far, two African countries; Kenya and Cote d’Ivoire have had separate cases of reported incidents of the disease.
Meanwhile, Mr. Shaban has suggested to colleague businessmen and women to seek immediate health assistance when they detect any unusual changes in their bodies.
“We have also advised that all those who recently returned from China, should also be on the lookout for any signs and symptoms of the Coronavirus, to report immediately to the health centre for early diagnosis and treatment.”