COVID-19 testing fees at Kotoka International Airport illegal – Minority Leader

The Minority in Parliament has described as illegal, the $150 being charged for COVID-19 testing at the Kotoka International Airport.

According to the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, the fee has not been approved by Parliament in accordance with Ghanaian laws.

Addressing the press in Parliament on matters related to the management of coronavirus pandemic, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu demanded transparency with regard to the utilization of COVID-19 funds.

“Give us the legal basis for those charges. If we have to do something, it has to be supported by legislation. It is illegal and exploitative.”

“We are not a banana republic as this is a country governed by law. It is not just exploitative but it is unlawful, and we are demanding that to what use the money collected has been put to. Government is not set up for profit,” he said.

All passengers coming to Ghana by air are required to pay $150 for a 30-minute PCR COVID-19 test administered by Frontiers Health Care Limited.

This began after the Kotoka International Airport was opened to international traffic on September 1, 2020, after being closed in March 2020 because of the pandemic.

The test being used has been backed by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).

President Akufo-Addo has said over 30,000 individuals have so far been tested at the Kotoka International Airport since September 1, 2020.

Several individuals have however raised concerns over the testing fees.

Kofi Kapito threatens lawsuit over detention of Ghanaians unable to pay COVID-19 testing fees

The Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Protection Agency, Kofi Kapito last week said the government and its agencies responsible for COVID-19 testing at the Kotoka International Airport must desist from detaining people who are unable to pay the testing fees at the airport.

In a statement copied to Citi News, Mr. Kapito said such detentions are “unlawful” and “tantamount to kidnapping.”

Kofi Kapito said it is unacceptable for anybody to be detained as Ghana’s laws do not deem a debtor to be a criminal that should be detained.

He further threatened that the Consumer Protection Agency will be forced to take legal actions over the matter should be supposed debtors continue to be held at the airport.