‘Coronavirus measures are fairly in place’ – Aviation Minister on safety at KIA’s cargo section

Minister of Aviation, Joseph Kofi Adda says he is enthused with the measures put in place by various cargo operators at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to prevent the possible spread of the novel coronavirus that erupted globally.

This follows the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) reviewing its cargo handling systems at the country’s ports as part of efforts to avoid a possible spread of the COVID-19.

Joseph Kofi Adda speaking to reporters after touring three cargo facilities at the KIA stated that industry players in the aviation space should join together to support government's efforts in setting place measures to restrict the entry of goods and persons that will undermine Ghana’s efforts in combating the spread of the virus.

“Measures are fairly in place with the manner that we expect them to be, and I am particularly happy with the employee education programmes and what they should do before they get in. I am a little unhappy about the crowding as we have been told that there shouldn’t be overcrowding with not more than twenty-five people that can congregate in a particular location,” he noted.

“Everything about personal protective equipment, public education programmes, sanitizers, among others, including even the cargo that is coming in, is really comforting to know that nothing has been detected so far as the port health officials are working with the cargo handlers to ensure everything is under control,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Immigration Service yesterday prevented 24 Chinese nationals from entering into the country at the Kotoka International Airport.

The Chinese nationals who were on board Ethiopian Airline were all turned away in compliance with the new travel advisory issued by president Nana Akufo-Addo in an effort to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

"Yesterday 17th of March, 24 Chinese were refused entry, and also one German. All under the same circumstances," the Deputy Comptroller-General in-charge of command post and operations, Mr. Laud Kwasi Afrifa revealed this update.

Mr Afrifa added that only foreigners with valid resident's permit will be allowed into the country.

"We are only admitting foreigners who have residents permit and even that their details are being taken and being shared with the Ghana Health Service response team".

The action of the joint operation by the Ghana Immigration Service and the airport authorities is in line with the government's travel advisory issued on Sunday, banning travels from epicentres of Covid-19.

The directive became necessary after all cases recorded in Ghana were imported from foreign countries.

As at Thursday, March 19, 2020, Ghana had recorded a total of 11 cases of the COVID-19.