Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo has extended the ban on public gatherings by two more weeks to contain the spread of coronavirus.

The directive came into effect at 01:00 local time on Monday.

Last week, the president lifted a three-week lockdown that had been imposed on various parts of the country.

Schools and borders remain closed and the president has urged all Muslims to pray at home during the month of Ramadan.

The country has confirmed 1,550 coronavirus cases and 11 deaths. Some 155 patients have recovered from Covid-19.

President Akufo-Addo said that the country will build over 80 hospitals nationwide and three infectious disease centres in the coastal, central and northern regions of the country.

Ghana’s ministry of health has also issued a directive for Ghanaians to wear masks in public places to prevent the spread of the virus.

The country has enhanced its testing capacity and has received additional test kits from the US government. (BBC)