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President Akufo-Addo in his 16th address to the nation on measures taken to fight the coronavirus pandemic announced the reopening of the Kotoka International Airport for international flights.

As part of measures for the reopening, travellers arriving in the country are expected to pay US$150 for a mandatory COVID-19 test. 

This fee has however been criticized. A few have suggested that it should be reduced for Ghanaian travellers.

But Kweku Baako says it will be strange to be able to bear the cost of travelling outside the country and not be able to pay $150.

"We are a nation of too many talkatives but we prefer that to a culture of silence. The 150 is too much so what should we do? too much? should it be free? Already there are too many free things. If I’ve travelled abroad and can’t pay 150; it will be very strange. Making all sorts of comparisons and we’ve been invited to come and talk, too much talking," he said on Peace FM morning show 'Kokrokoo'.

He says "the leaders have been elected and given the mandate to lead" and that "had Nkrumah listened to everyone, he couldn’t have developed this nation the way he did".

Justification

According to Mr Baako, the decision to fix the testing fee at $150 was well thought through by professionals.

"Those in charge, the executive; political leadership in collaboration with the management team which has been set not just politicals but professionals who determined and decided that KIA be opened 1 September; they didn't have to go for a referendum; that’s why we have a leadership," he added.




Meanwhile, Deputy Health Minister, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye has justified the amount saying it is less compared to other countries.

“With the turnaround time and accuracy of the test assured, we had to decide whether the $150 was enough to cover all the expenses. We finally agreed to peg it at that for now . . . when you go to a place like Zimbabwe you will pay about $210 for the test. In China, you will pay about $150 for the test. In Togo and Benin you will pay about 150 euros and in Nigeria, it is 130 dollars but you will have to go to a hotel and lodge till the results are ready".