GENERAL NEWS

First Batch Of Passengers Arrive After Airport Reopening

The Kotoka International Airport on Tuesday, September 1 received its first batch of international commercial passengers after six months of closure due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The facility was closed down in March as part of measures to curtail the spread of the virus through importation at Ghana’s borders.

It was however reopened following an announcement by President Akufo-Addo last Sunday.

Management of the airport has prepared the facility to allow travellers to adhere to all COVID 19 protocols including mandatory testing on arrival at a fee.

Citi News’ Nana Tuffour Boateng who was at the facility to find out if these protocols are being effectively implemented, reported that passengers are satisfied with the level of compliance so far.

“We are residents of Ghana but have had to stay out for this long because of border closures. So it is great news that we are coming back. We have subjected ourselves to immigration and port health officials for the necessary protocols. We were tested before we came but we are still going to quarantine,” one passenger said.

The government decided to re-open the airport because public health officials can now conduct rapid tests within 30 minutes to enable the isolation of passengers who might arrive in the country with the novel coronavirus.

Management of the Ghana Airport Company says passengers arriving in Ghana will pay a $150 fee for a 30-minute PCR COVID-19 test.

Many have however questioned how the company will deal with the overflow of passengers and accurate and swift COVID-19 testing.

The Managing Director of Ghana Airport Company Limited, Yaw Kwakwa, however, allayed such fears, and noted that 480 tests could be conducted within 15 minutes.

He also assured that his outfit that it has the capacity for any overflow of passengers.

“Within 15 minutes we can test about 480 people. So taking into consideration all the odds of the maximum number of passengers we can have at a time and other factors, we have more than enough capacity.”

But some concerned individuals have raised concerns indicating that the fee is too high and must be reviewed.

Deputy Health Minister Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye who explained the-150-dollar fee, noted that the amount was reasonable.

He also explained that the new arrangement was very prudent as compared to the previous arrangement where travellers had to pay for accommodation for two weeks to enable them quarantine for the period while awaiting their results.

 

—citinewsroom

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

Related Articles

Back to top button