Accra, March 21, GNA – Former President John Dramani Mahama, has urged the Government to review the COVID-19 procedures and protocols.
The former President in a statement also appealed to the Government to stop the $50 compulsory COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for travellers who had been vaccinated.
He recalled that during his travel last month to London, UK on British Airways, he was pleasantly surprised when he was informed that he did not require a COVID-19 PCR test to board the flight.
“While I was still required to fill a locator form, no further tests were required of me for the 12 days I stayed in the UK,” he said.
“Imagine my shock when British Airways informed me that I would be required to take a PCR test before I am allowed to board my return flight home.”
He noted that the British Airways Authorities explained that this was because of regulations in Ghana.
“It cost £90 to have the test done. I was also informed that I would not be checked in for the flight back unless I filled an online form and paid a fee of $50,” the former President said.
“From my recent experience with PCR testing and COVID regulations at our airport, I think it is time for Government to review the procedures and protocols, It is an inconvenience, a financial burden and actually unfair to compell our citizens, who we encouraged to take COVID-19 vaccinations, with some taking the boosters, to pay as much as £90 to a foreign clinic for a PCR test before they are allowed to board flights coming back home,” he said.
“And even more ridiculous, they must book another $50 PCR test to be conducted on arrival in Accra.”
He said the UK government considers the Ghanaian COVID-19 vaccination card internationally accepted and allows entry once one had the card without any testing.
“It is a most unfortunate situation that Ghanaians who have valid vaccination certificates cannot board flights back home without a £90 PCR test, and an additional $50 PCR test booking in Accra,” former President Mahama said.
“Government must stop the $50 compulsory PCR test for travellers who have been vaccinated”.
He urged the Government to also stop the demand for originating PCR tests before the same category of travellers were allowed to board flights to Ghana.
He said the reason for UK rolling back its COVID-19 restrictions was that deaths were down and severe cases requiring intensive care were down, and besides they believed it was time to learn to live with COVID; saying, “I think it is time for us in Ghana to do same”.
He reiterated that the long border closures had devastated the economy of Ghana’s border communities.
He said Government’s announcement that it was deliberating at Cabinet about a possible opening of nation’s land borders was long overdue.
“Let’s open the land borders now!” Former President Mahama said.
GNA