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President Akufo-Addo in his 16th address on COVID-19, Sunday, announced the reopening of the Kotoka International Airport for resumption of international flights.

“I am glad to announce that KIA will reopen and resume operations from Tuesday, September 1, 2020. This decision has been communicated to international airlines across the world. After weeks of thorough work, I am satisfied that it is safe to do so,” he said.

He then revealed measures that have been taken to resume flights, and some of these include the fact that passengers upon disembarking from the aeroplane will undergo a mandatory Covid-19 test at the airport terminal, at a fee to be borne by the passenger. The test result will be available within 30 minutes.

Information available indicates that the fee for instant testing will be $150 (GHC864.71).

Renowned journalist and host of Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo' had the hint while hosting Monday's edition of the show and it was subsequently confirmed by some government officials.





The mandatory testing, which is to be conducted for all passengers coming into the country forms part of directives outlined by the Ministry of Aviation and Health to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus and ensure that the deadly disease is not imported into the country.

Speaking during a press conference to update the nation on measures taken ahead of the reopening of the airport on September 1, the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, Yaw Kwakwa said the accuracy of the test is around 99 to 100 percent.

Defending the $150 fee for the testing, the Deputy Minister for Health Dr Benard Oko-Boye described it as a good bargain since “nothing is more expensive than contracting Covid-19 itself”.

He also argued that the decision was taken after assessing charges by other countries.

“The cost of the test will not put unnecessary difficulty or burden on the passenger. We looked at what is being charged across the globe so when you go to a place like Zimbabwe you pay about $210 for a test.

“In China, you pay about $150 for a test and they are even doing PCR which is a very good test that identifies the virus itself. But in China after paying $150 you have to wait for about 6 hours average before you get results.

“Also remember that anyone coming into Ghana must have a negative PCR test and on the average, in Europe, if you enter a lab to do that, it is about 100 euros.

The Deputy Minister also added that a percentage of the revenue generated from the testing will go into the development and maintenance of the airport.