The Presidential Advisor on Health, Anthony Nsiah Asare, says the government is currently considering ways of containing the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana before reopening land borders.
Speaking on Point Blank on Eyewitness News, Mr. Nsiah Asare said the majority of the populace would have to be vaccinated before the reopening of land borders can take effect.
“We are looking at the data, we are looking at the science and everything that is happening.. The President is more concerned about the economic devastation brought by the pandemic.”
“The way to curb this pandemic, apart from the protocols is to ensure that a lot of people are immunized. Once you get a lot of people vaccinated it means the vulnerable people in the country become less and no amount of importation will cause a devastating effect,” said Nsiah Asare.
Residents of Ketu South in the Volta Region and Elubo in the Western Region have protested to demand the re-opening of land borders.
Like in Aflao, the residents of Elubo have complained that the continuous closure of the land borders is negatively affecting their livelihoods.
There have been claims that some persons have been bypassing restrictions at the land borders via corrupt means.
Mr. Nsiah Asare condemned the act, saying “If people are paying and moving illegally I am not aware of it, but if this is true then it is bad and we should all condemn it.”
President Nana Akufo-Addo in March 2020 ordered the closure of the country’s borders as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The land borders have only been allowing the passage of cargo.
Officials at the Presidency have said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will soon announce a decision on the current closure of the country’s borders after consultations with the COVID-19 National Response Team.
