President Akufo-Addo says until health experts are certain that reopening of land borders will not pose problems for the country, it is not advisable to do so.
According to him, the country is still not out of the woods as regards the Covid-19 pandemic, thus reopening land borders would come with a huge risk and associated challenges. This includes, controlling human contacts, testing, putting in place health measures among others.
Speaking during a radio interview in the Western Region, President Akufo-Addo said Ghana was named as one of the best countries as far as management of Covid-19 was concerned, because of some of the extensive measures taken, such as closing of borders.
President Akufo-Addo explained, “the land borders pose a different kind of problem. You have got unauthorised ways of coming into the country, controlling that is still difficult. It is doubtful the system of testing at the borders can be as rigorous as they are at Kotoka."
"There are lots of our people who are doing this coming and going on a daily basis [at land borders], how are we going to test people? Until we are sure that we have strong control over it, we need to be careful."
He explained that the airports are able to operate because a first-class system is in place to regulate movement, contacts among others.
He stated that the measures at the airport give room for controlling the movement of people into and out of the country and to prevent situations that can increase the country’s Covid-19 cases.
President Akufo-Addo’s statement comes after hundreds of residents of Elubo in the Western Region, protested the continued closure of the border between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.
They are demanding the reopening of the border to ensure that the livelihoods of the citizens in the town and its surrounding communities, are restored.
Dubbed, ‘Open Our Land Border Now’ demonstration, members of the group, clad in red and black attire, were seen chanting war songs and hoisting placards, hoping that government heeds their call.
President Akufo-Addo announced the closure of land borders in March, 2020, as part of measures to help curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
But over a year and a half after the closure, the people of Elubo say the move has outlived its purpose.
However, President Akufo-Addo believes that there is a horrendous set of problems that could follow if the land borders are reopened.
“Are you going to insist everyone who comes [through the border and back] is vaccinated? Are you going to persist to enforce that? How many of our people have we been able to vaccinate?.”
The President pleaded with the people to exercise patience, stating that the pandemic has had adverse effects not just on them but many people across the country.
But, until the country is able to eradicate issues that could come as a result of reopening the border, it is safe to keep them closed, he added.
Latest Stories
-
Illegal miners have invaded my concession – Asantehene decries as he calls for extensive measure to curb menace
7 minutes -
Help save Nana Kwame in his battle against acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML)
13 minutes -
GCPS, partners launch Stop-NCD campaign to strengthen healthcare systems
29 minutes -
Nose surgery: ‘I didn’t pay for the procedure’ – Nigerian Comedian Zicsaloma
33 minutes -
We established a pre-engineering programme during the NPP government – Yaw Adutwum
34 minutes -
Newsfile: Ken Ofori-Atta a fugitive? Mahama now Chief Clearing Agent? How about the 11th-hour recruitment?
40 minutes -
New York City Mayor denies deal with Trump administration to drop his criminal case
49 minutes -
Armed conflict in DRC impacts responsible sourcing of minerals, says group
50 minutes -
Lydia Contraceptives excites new mothers in Kumasi with donations on Valentine’s Day
55 minutes -
Otumfuo pledges support for gov’ts renewed galamsey fight; lauds Lands Minister’s reforms for mining sector
59 minutes -
226% surge in heartbreak music: Spotify data unveils Ghana’s emotional Valentine’s Day story
2 hours -
Scores of children raped by armed men in eastern DRC, UNICEF says
2 hours -
ECG installs high-capacity transformer to deal with power supply shortfalls in Greater Kumasi
2 hours -
Bono Region MPs pay courtesy call on Ag NEIP CEO Eric Adjei
2 hours -
Part II: My Lord! To be or not to be….
2 hours