The Covid-19 testing capacity of Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research (KCCR) is set to increase, with the receipt of mobile laboratory vans.

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) handed the equipment following an arrangement with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Assistant Commissioner at the customs laboratory of Ghana Revenue Authority Phyllis Sakyi Gyan who read the Commissioner of Customs Divisions of GRA.

Kwadwo Damoah (Rtd)'s speech at the short handing over ceremony explained the gesture is towards "increasing Ghana's capabilities to test for SARS-COV-2 infections".

Mrs Sakyi Gyan further explained that the GRA intervention follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between GRA, KCCR, and GIZ.

"Under the MOU, the Authority is providing two mobile laboratory vans, two chemists and two drivers to support the operation while GIZ provides logistics for the collaboration. KCCR which is in charge of the operation provides experts to conduct the tests," she added.

Until now, the results of Covid-19 tests take up to four days to be released.
But with the introduction of the mobile laboratory van Covid-19 tests will be ready in just one and a half hours

The laboratory vans will be able to move to Covid-19 hotspot areas for mandatory and random testing.

Scientific Director at KCCR, Prof Odame Philips, is confident Ghana’s Covid-19 fight will improve, with two mobile vans.

"I am very confident that our testing capabilities will increase with the addition of these two mobile laboratory vans".

He added, "our test usually takes four days to be ready but these vans with the special equipment installed will ensure faster results of Covid-19 tests as we also move to hinterlands and hotspots to conduct Covid-19 tests.

"Approach to controlling the pandemic is testing; tracing ad treatment. Pooling available resources to combat Covid-19 is the way to go."

Prof Philips added, "GRA's intervention will augment government’s effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus."