As part of measures to ensure the safe reopening of all regional borders and various sectors of the economy, government is set to deploy a digital platform in addition to the existing GhCovid19 app.

PanaBIOS is an African Union (AU) platform designed to provide “pandemic digital vigilance in a box”.

This platform is designed to identify hotspot and monitor hotspot events attended by users. They are expected to check in and out of these places using a USSD code, the PanaBIOS or the GhCovid19 app.

This was revealed in a press statement signed by the Minister of Communication, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.

 “Government is currently working to ensure the safe restoration of all sectors of the country as well as ensure the seamless re-opening of regional borders. To facilitate this endeavour, Government intends to leverage its digital infrastructure to become a pioneer in implementing the African Union (AU) platform – PanaBIOS (www.panabios.org), in addition to the GhCovid19 app which is available on both the App Store and Google Playstore," the Minister stated.

All public spaces and places of congregation such as conferences, churches, hotel etc.. will be required to digitally log in all visitors. This information helps to trace contacts in case any of the attendees test positive after the event.

Another feature of the app includes the digitization of Covid-19 test results by transferring data to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) via the app.

“To test this model, returnees on repatriation flights shall commence the use of digital clearance forms generated on PanaBIOS.org to replace current manual and paper based processes.”

“In line with emerging pre-travel health clearance rules; cargo crew and other embarking passengers from Ghana shall be required to undergo Coronavirus testing and electronically append their digital test results in the citizen version of the app for Port Health Screening ahead of boarding and departure,” the statement explained.

In addition to these, the app allows the digital validation of Yellow Fever Vaccination Books by the Ghana Port Health officers.

Meanwhile, the Ministry indicated that wearable monitoring devices may be introduced to keep track of individuals undergoing self-quarantine as well as frontline health workers coming from Covid-19 hotspots.

Details on how to use the app are contained here:

This development is under government’s policy framework; “Transforming Covid-19 from crises to opportunity through technology”.