COVID-19: Ghana to re-open borders by September 1 if ...

Enoch Darfah Frimpong Aug - 16 - 2020 , 20:18

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said the government was working to re-open Ghana's borders depending on the readiness and ability to ensure that every passenger who arrives in Ghana is tested for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Consequently, he said the government was hoping that by September 1, 2020, the assessment of the readiness to test all passengers would have been completed to enable the borders to re-open.

In his 15th national address on measures being taken against the spread of COVID-19 on Sunday night [August 16, 2020], President Akufo-Addo said the re-opening of the borders will depend on the assessment.

"I know many still ask whether our borders, especially our international airport, Kotoka International Airport will be opened.

"Under my instructions the Ministry of Aviation, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) have been working with the Ministry of Health and its agencies to ascertain our readiness to re-open our airport."

"I want to ensure that we are in a position to test every single passenger who arrives in the country to avoid the spread of the virus. The outcome of that exercise will show us the way and determine when we can re-open our border by air.

"I'm hoping that by God's grace we will be ready to do so by the 1st of September [2020]. Until further notice, our borders by air, land and sea remain closed to human traffic," President Akufo-Addo said.

"Beaches, pubs, cinemas and night clubs are still to remain closed until further notice", President Akufo-Addo said.

He reiterated that the limit on the numbers of persons who can attend conferences, workshops and award events, has not been lifted, subject to the maintenance of social distancing amongst participants, fresh air ventilation of the premises, and a two-hour limit for each session.