The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) says the agreement it has with Frontiers Health Services contains information that cannot be disclosed.

Managing Director Pamela Djamson-Tettey explained that the said information is exempted under Section 10 of the Right to Information Act, 2019, Act 989.

Section 10 of Act 989 provides as follows;

“Information is exempt from disclosure prior to official publication where

(a) the information contains trade secrets or financial, commercial, scientific or technical information that belongs to the State or public institution and the information has monetary or a potential monetary value;

(b) the disclosure of the information can reasonably be expected to affect the integrity or stability of the financial system or, damage the financial interests of the State or public institution or the ability of the State to manage the national economy;

(c) the disclosure of the information can reasonably be expected to cause a disruption of business or trade in the country;

(d) the disclosure of the information can unduly benefit or be injurious to a person because it provides prior information about future economic or financial measures to be introduced by the Government or public institution;

(e) the information contains criterion, procedure, position or instruction that relates to negotiations being carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the State or public institution, the disclosure of which shall be injurious to national security and economic development; or

(f) the information contains questions or methodology to be used in an examination, recruitment or selection process and the release is likely to jeopardise the integrity of that examination, recruitment or selection process”

Mrs Djamson-Tettey also says the company is not in possession of information pertaining to the “ chronology of the processes that led to the selection of an award to Frontiers Health Services…”

This is her response to an RTI request sent to the company by the Head of Research at Joynews Raymond Acquah.

In addition to the above information, Mr Acquah also wanted information on the following;

“The reason(s) for the selection and award of the contract specified above to Frontiers Health Services.

The total amount of money generated from the Covid-19 testing at the airport from the inception of this agreement with frontiers to date.

The total amount of money that has been made by frontiers health services from the covid-19 testing at the airport from the inception of the contract with frontiers to date.

The total amount of money that has been made by the government of Ghana from the covid-19 testing at the airport from the inception of the contract with frontiers till date.”

The company replied that passengers arriving in the country paid directly to Frontiers.

“GACL is unable to confirm the amount of money derived from the covid-19 testing because passengers paid directly to Frontiers Healthcare, providers of the service.”

Frontiers were tasked to undertake covid-19 test at the Kotoka International Airport.

The deal came under intense scrutiny following allegations of corruption levelled by some civil society organisations and opposition MPs.

Transport Minister Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, however, explained to Parliament that the Ghana Airports Company complied fully with the procurement laws.