The Minister of Aviation, Joseph Kofi Adda, he is satisfied with the measures put in place by various cargo operators at the Kotoka International Airport to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus.
He has however indicated that there would be sustained regular monitoring by the Ministry to enhance the necessary safety mechanisms.
Already, the GPHA has reviewed its cargo handling systems at the country’s ports in a bid to avoid a possible spread of the COVID-19.
The Minister was speaking to the media after touring three cargo facilities at the KIA.
The facilities were, the Swissport, McDan Aviation and Aviance.
“Everything about personal protective equipment, public education programmes, sanitizers, among others, including even the cargo that is coming in, is really comforting to know that nothing has been detected so far as the port health officials are working with the cargo handlers to ensure everything is under control.”
Mr. Adda further said he is confident the aviation industry players will support the government’s efforts to restrict the entry of goods and persons that will undermine Ghana’s internal efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
“Measures are fairly in place with the manner that we expect them to be, and I am particularly happy with the employee education programmes and what they should do before they get in. I am a little unhappy about the crowding as we have been told that there shouldn’t be overcrowding with not more than twenty-five people that can congregate in a particular location,” he observed.
As at Thursday, March 19, 2020, Ghana had recorded a total of 11 cases of the COVID-19.
The country’s statistics adds to the over 200,000 cases recorded globally, with over 8,000 deaths.
The move has prompted the government to institute some strict travel protocol as almost all cases have been identified as imported ones.
The Cargo Manager at Aviance, Richard Baah, touted their efforts at ensuring that no shipment leaves or enters the country unchecked.
“What is happening now is a global issue, and I do not think any country will allow a contaminated shipment to leave, and every country is cautious about which goods go out and which one comes in. As far as our operations here are concerned and with our partners assisting us, for the goods that come in here, we are safe,” he said.
On his part, Manager at McDan Shipping, Julian Nii Lartey, said the outfit which serves as a transit for US military officers, has since ceased to accommodate them when Ghana begun the strict enforcement of its travel ban on some affected countries.
“This is the US Military hub station and the passengers that come through here are the military staff that are on attachment or other assignment. They mostly use this place as a transit point and as of last week, they have stopped coming through here.”
The Country Manager for Swissport, Chris Goodsir, indicated that there have been stringent measures to protect staff and all other patrons of the facility.
“We are taking every precaution that we can to make sure that our staff our fully covered and protected and hopefully with a full job satisfaction,” he indicated.
by Pius Amihere Eduku
