NDC MPS demands the opening of land borders, 2 years after government shut the borders
The Minority caucus in Ghana’s legislature is demanding the opening of the land borders for easy passage of goods and persons among neighbouring West African countries and the world at large.
“I will call on the President, supported by his Ministers for Health, and Interior, to take urgent practical steps for the re-opening of Ghana’s land borders to allow for free flow of persons and goods across ECOWAS and around the world,” said the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu.
Interacting with the media on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu, urged the government to take urgent steps to open up the borders giving access to people who trade via the land borders.
Despite the fact that the world is not out of the woods yet, he appealed that at least normalcy should be restored with the movement of goods and services through land borders.
He reiterated that the government has no excuse for the continued closure of land borders.
“Post Covid-19, we are not out of the woods yet, but we want to see a return to normalcy with the movement of goods and services through or borders, and therefore no matter what the proactive measures government wants to take, there can be no justification for the continues closure of the land borders.”
“Therefore, we, as Minority, call on the President as chair of ECOWAS to do the needful, giving meaning to the resolution he so cheered for.”
The legislator for Tamale South also complained about the Covid-19 test fee charged Ghanaians and international travellers at the Kotoka International Airports by Frontiers calling it a rip-off and should be reviewed, and made free for Ghanaian citizens.
“There is no way anybody pays $150 dollars for a Covid-19 test in the world. The least you pay is $50 and $100 maximum. For non-Ghanaians to be compelled to pay an amount of $150 in the name of Covid test in which its procurement is questionable, and raises eyebrows on the fact that Covid is being used as a caveat to make money instead of combating a pandemic, we do not think that persons travelling to Ghana from abroad be made to pay $150.”
“We consider this a rip-off and too high. Even $50 dollars for Ghanaian citizens is too much. It should be free for Ghanaians. I would lead a motion very soon, supported by the Hon. Ablakwa and the Hon. Akandoh to demand accountability from Frontiers, in order to account for all the $150 dollars they charge travellers.”
Since 2020 when covid struck, the land borders have been closed as part of measures to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, just like other countries did.
Unfortunately, two years down the line, the borders are still closed while other restrictive measures are eased up.
Some restrictions were placed on the number of people to attend public events such as weddings and funerals; the time for church services was reduced, and social distancing was strictly enforced.
These restrictions have, however, been eased with the exception of land borders.
