Economy will recover fully as airport resumes its operations- Prof. Quartey

Director of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), Professor Peter Quartey has conveyed his optimism over the recuperation of economic activities, which he believes will fully bounce back before the end of the year following the reopening of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

In an interaction with journalists in Accra, he revealed that revenues will trickle in “when some level of imports and exports is done through air cargo and some are through the airports”.

“So you will find out that we have Ghana Revenue Authority even stationed at the Airport; the essence is that they collect revenue. So that is likely to bring in revenue for the country. Then of course, the hospitality industry, the hotels et cetera. When foreigners come, conferences are held, others come and stay for tourism and many other things, and certainly they will be spending money.

“The hotels and other activities generate revenue, people get employed and of course they also pay tax as well. These are all means by which income is generated, tax revenue is generated, and then the airport itself gets revenue to run its operations.”

He also noted that the reopening of KIA will lead to a resuscitation of the economy between now and December 2020.

Pro. Quartey further urged all to observe Covid-19 safety protocols in order to avoid the country recording high numbers.

The KIA was reopened for business on Tuesday, September 1 after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said on Sunday that it was safe to do so.

Meanwhile, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, has revealed that government has generated a total of $37,050 from Covid-19 testing of travellers coming into Ghana since reopening the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on September 1.

According to him, the Airport Health officials have so far conducted a total of 247 Covid-19 tests since the re-opening of the airport to travellers.

Giving the breakdown, Dr. Kuma-Aboagye said 217 tests were conducted on day one of the reopening and 30 tests the following day.

Dr. Kuma-Aboagye made the disclosure during a press conference by the Information Ministry on the status of Covid-19 cases in the country.

He, however, stated that none of the travellers have tested positive for Covid-19.

Speaking on the status of the country’s Covid-19, the GHS Director-General said the country’s active cases have drastically reduced to 856.

The total case count is currently 44, 713 with 43,557 recoveries and 280 deaths.