Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye, has disclosed that, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) will be responsible for the certification and registration of any COVID-19 vaccines before its deployment and usage.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, he indicated that, the country has applied for the COVAS facility, from the Global Alliance of Vaccine Initiative (GAVI) to be able to deploy vaccines effectively.
Touching on the readiness of his outfit towards the preparation for vaccine deployment, he revealed that, currently, there is a technical team preparing for the deployment adding that, the team is reviewing the target group which needs the vaccine.
Commenting on the Christmas festivities and what the Ministry’s plans are to ensure that the spread of the virus is mitigated, he urged citizens to be careful especially during the 31st night celebrations where there are usually scenes of large crowds.
He advised that, the place of worship should be well ventilated and must ensure that social distancing protocols are observed. Dr. Kuma Aboagye also tasked religious leaders to ensure facilities make available items to enable handwashing and sanitizing of hands in churches and other places of worship.
He added that, the wearing of face mask must be adhered to help curb the spread and to also prevent the surge of new cases.
Giving an update on the case counts with regards to travelers coming into the country, he stated that, currently the cases in the last few weeks since the reopening of the airport, stands at 103,720 with 556 recorded positive cases from the Airport as at 21st December 2020, and 384 isolated cases.
Additionally, he said some 172 people from the airport testing are being monitored at home and currently, no deaths have been recorded.
He attributed the high numbers in the positive results as a result of high positivity rate of the virus in the countries these travelers are originating from. He further indicated that, that most of the people coming into the country are Ghanaians with the rest being foreigners.
As a result of the new strain of the coronavirus which has led to the closing of borders and restriction in air travels, Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, on this, said that, for Ghana, every individual that arrives at the airport goes through two stages of testing, adding that it reduces the risk levels.
According to him, these stages of the test is to reduce the possibility of the entrance of new cases into the country.
On the reopening of schools by government, the Information Minister disclosed that, cabinet will be meeting in the 30th of December to decide when schools will be ideal to open.
He said, the President is still reviewing reports from the initial reopening and an agreement will be reached when cabinet meets.
The President in his 20th Update on the measures taken against COVID-19 assured that, Ghana will not be left behind in getting access to the vaccines.
He stated that, he was aware of the anxieties relating to the safety and efficacy of newly-developed vaccines and as a result, government will ensure that the COVID-19 vaccines to be deployed in the country are effective and are safe.
“To this end, I have put together a team of experts, from the relevant institutions and agencies, who are working assiduously towards the procurement and deployment of the vaccines in Ghana.”
