The Ketu South MP in the Volta Region, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, wants to kill the perception that Ghana’s land borders are closed following demands for reopening of the Aflao border in her constituency.
Speaking on Eyewitness News, the MP said people were bypassing restrictions via corrupt means.
“The borders are open to those who have the economic power to pay to cross the border,” Mrs. Gomashie said.
Ghana’s borders were closed in March 2020 on the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Whilst air borders were reopened in September 2020, land borders have remained closed.
Having taken part in the protest demanding the opening of the Aflao border on Friday, she argued that monitoring arrivals would be easier if the restrictions were lifted.
“If you open the borders, then you put in protocols that allow the people to move. Everybody goes through the same procedure. You cut out that situation where people are sneaking in with the Covid you are afraid of.”
Organizers of the demonstration ended the protest with a petition presented to the Chief Executive of the Ketu South Municipality.
In their petition, the protestors want the government to in the interim provide support for businesses and households at border towns even as they recover from the pandemic and the closure of borders.
They also want similar COVID-19 measures put in place at the airports to be replicated at the various borders.
