Coronavirus: No decision taken on repatriation of Ghanaians from abroad – Oppong Nkrumah

Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has said the government has not taken a general decision on returning Ghanaian citizens from foreign countries as Ghana gradually eases coronavirus restrictions.

The Minister said this at a press briefing on Friday to announce a decision by the government to allow some categories of Ghanaians into Ghana.

He said on Saturday, May 23, 2020, some 245 Ghanaians will be deported from Kuwait to Ghana, becoming the first cohort of Ghanaian nationals to return to Ghana after the coronavirus pandemic forced the government to review its travel protocol.

“As at now, no firm decision has been made in a blanket manner,” he said.

“We are examining on a cohort by cohort basis…what the situation is and what the feasibilities are. For example in this particular case, 245 persons from Kuwait will be deported to Ghana…the government of Ghana believes we are able to receive them and contain these persons and the risks associated with it.

“In line with the immigration regulation in handling of deportees and our COVID-19 response programme, we believe we are able to do it. And that is why that permission has been granted,” the Minister stated.

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said this in an answer to a question about what the government’s plan was about Ghanaians in other countries who want to return to Ghana.

“Other cohorts from other parts of Africa, other parts of Europe, other parts of the Americas will also be examined on a case-by-case basis and the appropriate determination will be made,” he said.

Latest coronavirus update

Ghana’s COVID-19 case count has risen to 6,486 from the 6,269 announced last Wednesday.

The latest update according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) represents 217 new cases confirmed in the country.

The update also indicates that 53 more persons have recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 1,951.

As of Friday, May 22, 2020, the death toll remains at 31.

The total active cases of COVID-19 in Ghana is now at 4,504.

The Greater Accra region is still leading the chart with 4,699 cases, followed by the Ashanti region with 988 cases.

The cases in the Western and Central regions have increased to 195 and 287 respectively.

Savannah, Ahafo, and Bono East regions remain the three regions out of the 16 regions in Ghana yet to record a case of the novel Coronavirus.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com