Ghana MPs want parliament to close over virus fears

A number of Ghanaian opposition lawmakers want parliament to be temporarily closed.

The West African country has so far confirmed about 7,000 cases and 34 deaths.

Speaker Mike Oquaye last week told Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff to be tested for the virus before sittings resumed.

There are fears that MPs could be exposed to infections and some lawmakers have proposed the introduction of virtual parliamentary proceedings as a stop-gap measure.

The country has conducted over 200,000 tests and health officials say new data suggests a downward trend in infections.