The ongoing COVID-19 tests on passengers at the Kotoka International Airport has been lauded by the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah as a celebratory feat.
Commending frontline workers, the sector minister expressed satisfaction over the conduct of the testing and the private company contracted to undertake them.
Speaking at a press encounter in Accra, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah noted that the service is playing a critical role in protecting the health of 30 million Ghanaians in the country adding that government has no plans of suspending the tests at the airport, changing the company or suspending the contract.
“We are very satisfied with their tests which have helped prevent 50 [COVID-19] cases from getting into the general population as of the end of September 2020. It will be irresponsible of us to tinker with the successes being achieved so far”.
Preceding his comments, the minority in parliament had registered their dissatisfaction over the deal with the private company, calling for its suspension as it lacks transparency and breaches the procurement laws of the country.
Addressing the media in parliament, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Ranking Member on the Health Committee, had requested that the COVID-19 testing agreement between government and Frontiers Health Care Limited for COVID-19 testing at the Kotoka International Airport be cancelled and contracted to Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
“We in the Minority have suggested to the government to utilise the services of Noguchi who have spearheaded the testing of COVID-19 cases in our country since this pandemic took its course instead of contracting a private institution whose charges are higher.”
He further complained that the government “is more interested in creating avenues for its families and friends to take advantage of the situation to exploit Ghanaians rather than considering the plight of the people.”
Arguing on the premise of credibility, he called for a “full-scale investigation into this unconscionable, corrupt and cruel self-enriching scheme so that all those behind this stinking plot can be brought to justice.”
Riding on the principle of a potential win come the December election, Mr. Akandoh intimated that the NDC will “abrogate the contract but also go after all those who have conspired to perpetuate this grand scheme of wicked extortion of the good people of Ghana”.
However, the Ofoase Ayirebi legislator rubbished claims, saying that Health Frontiers are credible and have so far performed to the satisfaction of government.
“Their services were well procured, their standards meet global requirements, and we have no qualms with them. If indeed the minority wants answers to questions, they know the appropriate place to file those questions as parliament resumes.”
The COVID-19 airport testing regime commenced on September 1, 2020, when Ghana reopened its international air borders.
Each arriving passenger is required to pay $150 for a PCR COVID-19 test that is administered by Frontiers Health Care Limited, a private company.
The test being used has been backed by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) which it says met the requirements of not less than 99.0 percent concordance.
