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Tag: Kotoka International Airport

  • NACOC seizes drugs at Kotoka International Airport, Woe

    Officers of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) have intercepted substances suspected to be narcotics in separate operations in Accra and Woe in the Volta Region.

    The first interception was made at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), where a 46-year-old woman who was travelling with a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine on her was arrested.

    The other was the seizure of 162 sacks of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis, after NACOC officers had raided a stash house at Woe, a town near Keta in the Anlo District in the Volta Region.

    Cocaine at KIA

    The arrest made at the KIA last Saturday involved a woman identified as Margret Wolo Maikplay, a Liberian, who was transiting through Ghana aboard an Asky Airline and was to fly to Doha-Bangkok via Qatar Airline.

    The suspect was picked up as she went through pre-transit formalities after it was detected that she had 30 thumb-size pellets of a whitish substance concealed under her breasts and in her private parts.

    According to NACOC officials, the substance intercepted, weighing 0.36kg, tested positive for cocaine after an initial field test on the day of the arrest

    Briefing the Daily Graphic on the arrests, the Manager of the Public Affairs and International Relations Department of NACOC, Francis Opoku Amoah, said during an initial interrogation, Ms Maikplay confessed having inserted some substance in her genitals.

    “She said she was contacted by one Oratha, a Liberian resident in Monrovia, who sponsored her travelling expenses to Thailand to deliver the drug to an unknown person in Thailand,” Mr Amoah explained.

    He also explained that the exhibit would be forwarded to the Ghana Standards Authority for further analytical examination, as part of further investigations, while the suspect would be arraigned.

    Illegal

    Mr Amoah stressed that trafficking in illicit drugs continued to be illegal in Ghana, and that NACOC remained resolute 1n its mandate and would work with other relevant state agencies to make it unprofitable to deal in drugs.

    He further warned that people who were arrested for breaching the law would be prosecuted according to the law.

    Woe raid, arrest warrant

    He said the raid at Woe was as a result of intelligence and surveillance work conducted by the commission.

    He explained that while the sacks of dried leaves, which weighed grossly 7153.51kg, were successfully seized, NACOC officials were still pursuing one Gideon Yao Kudzinawo, believed to be the owner of the consignment, and that a warrant had been issued to that effect.

    He encouraged the police to apprehend the said suspect and produce him before the Accra High Court.

    “Since March 15, NACOC has been pursuing Kudzinawo but it has not been successful.

    “A warrant has, therefore, been issued for his arrest for the possession and exportation of a narcotic substance, contrary to sections 36 and 37 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020, Act 1019, and we continue to lay surveillance at the crime scene to ensure that the suspect is apprehended and brought to face the law,” Mr Amoah emphasised.

    Source: Graphic Online

  • KIA ‘bomb scare’ incident: Five things we know, what we don’t know

    The Ghana Airports Company Limited, GACL, on December 29, 2021, officially confirmed an incident at Terminal 3 of the Kotoka International Airport, KIA, in Accra. 

    GACL gave some details of an incident that had earlier started gaining currency on social media as the case of a bomb blast at the arrival hall of the airport.

    GhanaWeb looks briefly at five major outcomes that we know about the incident this far.

    When the incident happened

    The incident according to the GACL statement happened on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at around 9pm.

    The bare facts of the case 

    The incident according to the statement involved an unattended bag that was sighted at the arrival hall of the KIA terminal.

    “Management of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) can confirm that on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at around 9pm, an unattended bag was sighted at the arrival hall of Terminal 3, Kotoka International Airport,” relevant portions of the GACL statement read.

    Role of the Military 

    Officials of the Ghana Armed Forces’ Base Ammunition Depot Unit were invited to deal with the bag in question. The bomb squad are said to have conducted preliminary assessment of the bag.

    Photos from the scene

    Photos shared by pro-government Asaase Radio showed the abandoned backpack on one of the seats in the hall.

    A fully suited officer of the bomb squad and another military officer are also seen in one of the photos whiles another photo shows the opened bag displaying some contents.

    There is also a photo shared by Joy FM in which a police officer is seen with a sniffer dog at the arrival hall.

    FDA takes over 

    The GACL statement notes that after preliminary assessment, “the bag was subsequently taken away for further investigations.”

    Asaase Radio reported that after the Base Ammunition Depot Unit of GAF opened the bag and assessed its content, “it has been sent to the FDA for lab evaluation.” 

    What we don’t know about the incident

    The GACL statement notes that more information will be made available on the issue as and when available.

    Among other questions begging for answers:

    Has the owner of the said bag been identified? 

    When was the last time safety drills were run at the facility?

    Earlier, several users on Twitter had shared a video showing what was claimed to have been a suspected bomb detonation at the airport.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • KLM blocks Ghanaian couple from travelling over meat protest

    A Ghanaian-Dutch couple has allegedly been blocked from flying to Amsterdam, Holland on board a KLM plane.

    In an exclusive interview with African Entertainment, Nico van Staalduinen, the Honorary Consul for Bulgaria in Ghana, says he and his Ghanaian-Togolese wife, Kay Djifa Sodatonou, had boarded KLM at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra and were destined for Amsterdam, Holland.

    But he alleged that they were asked to disembark the plane.

    According to him, they had registered their opposition to KLM’s attempt to stop serving meat from their economy class flights meals worldwide except for destinations such as Argentina and Texas.

    In protest for the attempted cancellation of meat which might affect travellers from Ghana, Mr van Staalduinen said he and his wife took onboard the KLM banners urging other passengers oppose the cancellation of meat from meals.

    “We were seated and had 2 banners on board. Purser asked if we were the ones spreading flyers. We said yes because we had the best intentions for KLM and wanted to warn them that they could lose passengers with serving only vegetarian meals,” he told African Entertainment exclusively via telephone.

    According to him, “She [Purser] asked what our rolled-up posters were for. I answered we wanted to take a picture before flying.”

    He added that “She said she can’t allow that and asked me to give the banner. I said no problem but tomorrow when landing in Amsterdam I will alert the Dutch press that we were not allowed to take a picture of my wife with the banner.”

    He noted that “She called the captain and told him we threatened her. I said absolutely not. Other passengers also said we didn’t. The captain said he wouldn’t go into discussion with us we had to leave the flight. I didn’t protest and left.”

    Asked whether they were able to fly on another airline to Holland, the hotelier and Honorary Consul says no, adding that “We are still in Accra trying to book another airline.”

    The incident occurred on Wednesday night, September 15, 2021, leaving the couple stranded.

    A flyer shared with African Entertainment by the aggrieved couple read in part: “Respect Ghana and Africa and our choices by giving us our meals with meat!

    “KLM view of saving the global environment by excluding meat in our meals is flawed as it is perceived that they are solely doing that to save cost and increase profit as the populace think,” the flyer reads.

    Source: Tarlue Melvin, Contributor

    Source: Tarlue Melvin, Contributor

  • Airport workers demand payment of 13-month welfare, SSNIT arrears

    Workers of Ghana Airport Company are demanding the immediate release of their locked up deductions for Staff Welfare, Insurance, Credit union, and SSNIT benefits.

    The demand follows a physical assault of a worker by the Managing Director for the company, Yaw Kwakwa, during a staff meeting over their 13-month arrears.

    The said assault which was captured on video in possession of Starr News has heightened the agitations from the workers who have been demanding the removal of Mr. Kwakwa over mismanagement for a while now.

    SSNIT has, however, sued the Ghana Airport Company over its failure to pay the contribution of workers.

    Speaking to Starr News about the development, the chairman for the local chapter of the Public Services Workers Union, Abdul Isaka Bamba described the physical assault on the worker as unfortunate.

    SSNIT has, however, sued the Ghana Airport Company over its failure to pay the contribution of workers.

    Speaking to Starr News about the development, the chairman for the local chapter of the Public Services Workers Union, Abdul Isaka Bamba described the physical assault on the worker as unfortunate.

    According to Mr. Bamba failure to release the funds has brought untold hardship on staff who are unable to access loans from their credit union.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Government rejects plans by British Airways to move Ghana services from Heathrow to Gatwick Airport

    The Government of Ghana says it has rejected plans by airline operator, British Airways, to change its London-Accra-London flight origination and termination point.

    The Ministry of Aviation in a statement said it had received notification from the management of British Airways that the airline had decided to operate its British Airways Ghana Services from Gatwick Airport instead of Heathrow Airport.

    This, according to a statement by the Ministry, means that all London-Accra-London bound British Airways flights would originate and terminate at Gatwick Airport instead of Heathrow Airport.

    The new plan according to the notification received by the Ministry of Aviation was to start in the forthcoming summer.

    The Ministry says it convened a meeting at the instance of the then Minister, Joseph Kofi Ada upon receipt of the notification to discuss the matter and register its displeasure about the way and manner the decision was being taken without due consultations with Ghanaian authorities.

    The British Airways team are said to have promised to provide further information and data to support its reasons for the changes at the said meeting but has, however, failed to fulfill the promise.

    “Consequently, the Ministry, in a letter to the BA Authorities, rejected the changes and categorically informed British Airways that For the avoidance of doubt, we are unable to accept the change in the London-Accra-London flights originating from Gatwick Airport,” the Ministry said in its release.

    The Aviation Ministry in assuring the public added that the government of Ghana does not support the stance of BA and that it is engaging authorities of the airline to rescind their decision and respect the position of the Government to uphold the mutual interest of Britain and Ghana.

    Read full statement below:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • COVID-19: KIA releases revised protocols for passengers travelling to Ghana

    The management of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) has revised the Coronavirus-induced safety protocols for passengers travelling to Ghana amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.

    The new safety protocols, which take effect from Monday, November 16, 2020, require passengers arriving in Ghana to pay the $150 for the PCR test online at https://myfrontierhealthcare.com/Home/Ghana.

    A statement issued by the KIA to highlight the guidelines stated that passengers must not have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 including body temperature >38 degrees Celsius.

    Also, passengers must possess a COVID-19 negative PCR test from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin and airlines who bring in travellers who have not paid for the test online would be fined $3,500 per passenger.

    As of November 11, 2020, 56,123 tests have been conducted on passengers who arrived in Ghana via the KIA, out of which 190 tested positive.

    Below is the new safety protocols:

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Airlines to face $3,500 fine for each passenger flown in without PCR test

    The management of Kotoka International Airport has stated that airlines that break the COVID-19 protocols by bringing in passengers without PCR tests would be fined.

    “Airlines who board passengers without PCR tests results or transport and disembark passengers with positive PCR test result into Accra will be fined US$ 3,500 per passenger,” KIA noted in a statement.

    The Kotoka International Airport received its first batch of international commercial passengers after six months of closure due to COVID-19 on Tuesday, September 1, 2020.

    Management of the Ghana Airport Company stated that passengers arriving in Ghana will pay a $150 fee for a 30-minute PCR COVID-19 test.

    The new guidelines, which begins today, Monday, November 16, 2020, requires passengers arriving in Ghana to pay the $150 for the PCR test online at https://myfrontierhealthcare.com/Home/Ghana.

    Read the full statement below.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Airlines which flout PCR testing for coronavirus will be sanctioned – Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Sunday said airlines which flout the directive for Polymerized Chain Reaction (PCR) testing for COVID-19 will be sanctioned.

    “The airport authorities will continue to demand that passengers arriving in the country should be in possession of a 72-hour old negative PCR test, and we will continue to sanction airlines that flout this directive,” President Akufo-Addo said in his 19th update on Ghana’s enhanced response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

    “With the imposition of stringent testing measures at the airport, we have, so far, been able to detect 172 positive cases amongst some 54,000 arriving international passengers.”

    He noted that the health authorities would intensify the follow up process of arriving passengers, even when they had tested negative to help ensure we have ruled out any possible infection that might have occurred during the period of embarkation and disembarkation.

    “In the area of testing, I have tasked the Ministry of Health, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), to liaise with all laboratories and testing facilities across the country to ensure that reporting procedures are ironed out and adhered to,” he said.

    “In as much as our hospitalisation rates are very low, care for the sick and the provision of treatment remain an important aspect of our strategy.”

    He said to this end, the one hundred-bed Ghana Infectious Diseases Centre, located at the Ga East Hospital, would be opened in the next few days, under the management of the GHS.

    The President said the provision of adequate medicines, equipment, and personal protective equipment to enable health workers attend to home-based patients had also been guaranteed.

    He said the Government, in trying to mitigate against the effects of the pandemic, had put in place a number of measures to cushion ordinary Ghanaians and businesses.

    He said the Government had extended the policy of free access to water for all households across the country until December, as well as fully absorbing electricity bills for one million active lifeline customers for the same period.

    President Akufo-Addo said the Communication Service Tax had also been reduced from nine per cent to five per cent, effective September.

    Source: GNA

  • US$150 coronavirus testing fee at KIA reasonable – Anyidoho

    Former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho, has reacted to the $150 price for the COVID-19 test at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

    According to him, he had always criticised the fee until he travelled to Guinea and missed his flight because of the delay of the COVID-19 test, a situation he described as very uncomfortable.

    His statement follows massive backlash and the subsequent presentation of a petition by a cross-section of Ghanaians to the government to reconsider the amount.

    But, reacting to the development on his Twitter page, the Founder of the Atta Mills Institute, said though the $150 is high it can produce COVID results in less than 30 minutes.

    He wrote: “Honestly, I was a critic of the $150 COVID test @ KIA till I travelled to Guinea; missed flights bcos COVID test results over there took days to be completed. $150 is high but if it can produce COVID results in less than 30 minutes; the time value of money becomes key.”

    Source: Peace FM

  • Coronavirus: Ghana records two more deaths, KIA positive cases reach 100

    Ghana has recorded two more COVID-19 deaths, which has taken the death toll to 316, according to the latest figures released by the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

    Forty-one new cases have been recorded taking the cumulative figure to 47,690.

    The active cases have increased to 487 with 46,887 patients recovered/discharged.

    Meanwhile, the number of positive cases from international travellers at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) has reached 100.

    Out of this figure, 53 have recovered and or been discharged.

    Regional breakdown below:

    Greater Accra Region – 24,826

    Ashanti Region – 11,002

    Western Region – 2,974

    Eastern Region – 2,421

    Central Region – 1,931

    Bono East Region – 784

    Volta Region – 681

    Western North Region – 646

    Northern Region – 547

    Ahafo Region – 528

    Bono Region – 514

    Upper East Region – 323

    Oti Region – 242

    Upper West Region – 90

    Savannah Region – 62

    North East Region – 19

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ghana Airports Company reacts to passengers sleeping on benches at KIA

    The Ghana Airports Company Limited has reiterated that all passengers who refuse to pay for the COVID-19 test will be handed over to the state security agencies and quarantined at a designated location.

    The GACL in a statement reacting to concerns of some persons who alleged they were being treated inhumanely said the measures are to ensure the safety and protection of the Ghanaian populace.

    The undated video which has been circulated on social media shows several persons including a toddler sleeping on benches.

    According to the amateur videographer who catalogues the experience of the passengers, they have been held because they do not have $150 to pay for the service.

    However, the GACL says the video was “taken by disgruntled passengers who refused to pay for the test on arrival and were waiting to be transported by State Security Agencies”.

    “As operators of the airport, GACL’s utmost responsibility is to ensure a smooth facilitation process of passengers, especially during this COVID-19 era.

    “It is worth noting that the measures put in place, as published in the guidelines, are to ensure the safety and protection of the Ghanaian populace. The travelling public is therefore kindly encouraged to strictly adhere to the published guidelines in the interest of health and safety of all Ghanaians”.

    It will be recalled that as part of updated measures for the reopening of the KIA which took effect on September 22, all arriving passengers are subjected to a mandatory COVID-19 test at the airport terminal at a cost of $150 to be borne by the passenger.

    Any passenger who refuses to undergo the test is subjected to his passport being seized and handed over to the security agencies. The passenger will also be taken into a 14-day quarantine at a designated location at the passenger’s cost.

    Read the entire statement below;

    STATEMENT ON ALLEGED MALTREATMENT AT KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

    The attention of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has been drawn to a video circulating on social media regarding an alleged maltreatment of some passengers who refused to pay for the COVID-19 test on arrival at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

    Management wishes to emphasize that the guidelines for arriving passengers state that, passengers who refuse to pay for the COVID-19 test will be handed over to State Security Agencies and taken into quarantine at a designated location.

    The video in circulation was taken by disgruntled passengers who refused to pay for the test on arrival and were waiting to be transported by State Security Agencies. As operators of the airport, GACL’s utmost responsibility is to ensure a smooth facilitation process of passengers especially during this COVID-19 era.

    It is worth noting that the measures put in place, as published in the guidelines, are to ensure the safety and protection of the Ghanaian populace.

    The travelling public is therefore kindly encouraged to strictly adhere to the published guidelines in the interest of health and safety of all Ghanaians.

    ISSUED BY MANAGEMENT

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Stranded passengers who slept on benches refused to pay Coronavirus test GACL reacts

    The Ghana Airports Company Limited has reacted to a video gone viral on social media showing some travellers, including babies sleeping on benches at the Kotoka International Airport.

    According to the GACL, those seen in the video were passengers who refused to pay for the COVID-19 test upon arrival and were waiting to be transported by state security agencies to be quarantined at a designated location.

    Management, in a press release, pointed out that, “The video in circulation was taken by disgruntled passengers who refused to pay for the test on arrival and were waiting to be transported by State Security Agencies. As operators of the airport, GACL’s utmost responsibility is to ensure a smooth facilitation process of passengers especially during this COVID-19 era”.

    The aviation company therefore urged travellers to comply with the directives put in place to facilitate the smooth running of services at KIA.

    “It is worth noting that the measures put in place, as published in the guidelines, are to ensure the safety and protection of the Ghanaian populace. The travelling public is therefore kindly encouraged to strictly adhere to the published guidelines in the interest of health and safety of all Ghanaians”.

    Read below Ghana Airports Company’s release below.

    STATEMENT ON ALLEGED MALTREATMENT AT KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

    The attention of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has been drawn to a video circulating on social media regarding an alleged maltreatment of some passengers who refused to pay for the COVID-19 test on arrival at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

    Management wishes to emphasize that the guidelines for arriving passengers state that, passengers who refuse to pay for the COVID-19 test will be handed over to State Security Agencies and taken into quarantine at a designated location.

    The video in circulation was taken by disgruntled passengers who refused to pay for the test on arrival and were waiting to be transported by State Security Agencies. As operators of the airport, GACL’s utmost responsibility is to ensure a smooth facilitation process of passengers especially during this COVID-19 era.

    It is worth noting that the measures put in place, as published in the guidelines, are to ensure the safety and protection of the Ghanaian populace.

    The travelling public is therefore kindly encouraged to strictly adhere to the published guidelines in the interest of health and safety of all Ghanaians.

    ISSUED BY MANAGEMENT

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Kotoka International Airport boosts rating with robust coronavirus prevention protocols

    Standard COVID-19 prevention protocols observed at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), have made the airport more attractive to the international community.

    Mr. Joseph Kofi Adda, Minister of Aviation, said this on Tuesday in Accra, when Qater Airways launched its flight operations into the country, with a Boeng 787 aircraft.

    “This is coming in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, an indication of the preparedness of the KIA, with regards to laid down protocols on the prevention of the spread of covid-19,” he said.

    Mr. Adda wooed the airline’s management to see Ghana as a convenient place to do business, and said there were a number of other investment potentials that they could explore, to the mutual gain of the two countries.

    Mr. Charles Owiredu, Deputy Minister, Foreign Affairs and Regional integration, recalled that in the year 2017, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, led a delegation to Qatar during which a memorandum of understanding to foster bilateral corporation between the two countries was signed.

    He said the launch was thus a fruition of that initiative, adding, “The government would give Qatar Airways all the support it needs to succeed.”

    Mr. Yofi Grant, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC), described the event as a milestone in the history of the two countries, adding that it served as a door opener for further cooperation between the two countries.

    The GIPC CEO said he was of the firm belief that Qatar Airways would soon become one of the leading airlines in the country.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: 16 cases detected at KIA so far

    Sixteen COVID-19 positive cases have been detected at the Kotoka International Airport out of the total of 6,976 tests which have been carried out at the facility since it’s reopening on 1 September 2020.

    Information Minister Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah disclosed this at a news conference in Accra on Wednesday, 16 September 2020.

    He noted that although 54 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded, Ghana’s active case counts stand at 564.

    He, therefore, urged the general public to continue to keep up with the safety protocols instituted by the Ghana Health Service to keep them safe from the virus.

    On the issue of the new cases confirmed at the KIA, the minister revealed that six persons have been admitted at the hospital while other cases are being treated at home.

    So far, a total of 45,655 cases have been confirmed nationwide.

    Regional breakdown:

    Greater Accra Region 23,117

    Ashanti Region 10,933

    Western Region 2,963

    Eastern Region 2,394

    Central Region 1,904

    Bono East Region 781

    Volta Region 668

    Western North Region 638

    Northern Region 528

    Ahafo Region 524

    Bono Region 511

    Upper East Region 285

    Oti Region 238

    Upper West Region 90

    Savannah Region 62

    North East Region 19


    Source: Class FM

  • Coronavirus: No positive cases recorded following airport reopening – GHS

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has said no positive cases of COVID-19 have been recorded among passengers arriving through Ghana’s main airport, Kotota International Airport (KIA).

    According to the Director-General of the GHS, Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye, 217 passengers were tested on the first day of the reopening of the airport to international AIR traffic while 30 passengers were tested on the second day.

    Speaking at a press briefing on September 3, 2020, Dr. Kuma-Aboayge said this was a result of the accuracy of the antigen tests which are being conducted on passengers entering the country.

    “So far no positive cases of COVID-19 have been recorded following the reopening of the airport. We had three separate flights on the first day and all passengers aboard that flight have tested negative”

    Meanwhile, passengers entering Ghana will be required to pay an amount of US$150 for COVID-19 tests to be conducted.

    Passengers will then proceed to the sampling cubicle for their samples to be taken before descending to the main arrival hall.

    The Deputy Health Minister, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye at a press briefing on Monday, August 31 justified the cost of the testing as a ‘good bargain’.

    He added that arriving passengers who test negative will proceed to the immigration area and onto baggage claim for their luggage and then exit the terminal while persons who test positive will receive further clinical assessment and treatment.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Cost of testing for travellers outrageous, make it free – NDC Communicator

    A communication team member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Eric Sosu has described as outrageous the cost of COVID-19 test for travellers who are returning to Ghana.

    According to him, the cost is not only outrageous but a fleece on the travellers who have been hit by the economic challenges of the coronavirus.

    Travellers coming to Ghana by air are supposed to pay $150 (¢868) for Covid-19 testing, the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, Yaw Kwakwa disclosed at a press conference on Monday, August 31, 2020.

    The directive he explained 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.

    “It takes a maximum of 30 minutes for a particular passenger to go through the entire process and get his or her results.

    “This system is so convenient that passengers will practically go through our terminal building with only a fraction of time added to what they used to do before,” he added.

    He added: “It is mandatory for any airline coming to Ghana to ensure that passengers have a face mask on but we know that some of our people will be travelling from afar.

    “When you are coming from London, you will probably travel like six hours and so when you land at the KIA and you come through the passenger door and get to the edge of the terminal building, we will give you a fresh face mask.

    “There is a service provider that we are using to do all of this. So we give you the face mask and you start going through the process. When you enter you go to the far end of the upper part of arrivals and you queue to go through the testing centre.

    “But one convenience is that there is no country that you can go through the process and be able to get the results within 30 minutes and if you are negative the health professionals take over from there,” he said.

    But Mr. Sosu insits the cost is outrageous and called on the government to make it free for Ghanaians and charge foreigners coming to Ghana.

    ”Ghanaians who are returning home should not be charged. They have been stranded for months and upon returning, you are charging them $150 for a test. This is ridiculous. The government should use the COVID-19 relief fund to pay the cost of the test. If the returnees are unable to pay for the test, it means, they will be kept at the airport.”

    Meanwhile, Oliver Ofori Baah, a communication team member of the NPP has disagreed saying the cost is far cheaper than what is being charged here.

    He said the cost is reasonable and the government should be commended.

    Source: rainbownradioonline.com

  • Airport reopening: KIA disinfected ahead of international flights resumption

    Ghana’s main airport, the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) is being disinfected less than 24 hours ahead of an international flight resumption.

    This comes after KIA was closed to international traffic in the wake of the Coronavirus in March 2020.

    Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his 16th address to the nation on Sunday, August 30 announced the reopening of Ghana’s air borders to international traffic.

    The president explained, the decision comes after a thorough work done by the Aviation Ministry, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, (GCAA), the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health.

    “I am glad to announce that the Kotoka International Airport will resume operations on Tuesday, September 1, 2020. This has been communicated to all international airlines,” the president said.

    The disinfection exercise, which is currently ongoing at the Departure Area of the KIA Terminal 3 is being conducted by the Zoomlion Ghana Limited and authorised by the Ghana Airport Company Limited, (GACL).

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Kotoka International Airport is ‘not for sale’ – Ghana Airports

    The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has reiterated its earlier explanation that the Kotoka International Airport is “not for sale or being privatised” as alleged by former President John Dramani Mahama.

    Rather, the Ghana Airports Company Limited says “an unsolicited proposal has been received from a Turkish Consortium which is yet to be considered. It is rather unfortunate that certain figures from the proposal are being used to peddle untruths,” the GACL said in a statement in reaction a claim made by former President John Dramani Mahama in a television interview with Woezor.

    Mr Mahama during the television interview at the weekend argued that giving 66 percent shares of the Kotoka Airport to a private firm was wrong.

    He said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was against attempts by the government to hand over 66 percent shares of the Airport to TAM-SUMMA Consortium, a Turkish company.

    According to him, such moves by the government were wrong and must be stopped.

    The former President said while the NDC administration was in power, its valuation report showed that the airport was valued at about GH¢5 billion and so it is strange that the government intends to cede 66 percent of its control of the airport to the private company in exchange for $70 million.

    “When we were in office, a valuation study of the Kotoka Airport was done and it was valued at over GH¢ 5 billion. It also had an insured value in the region of GH¢3 to GH¢4 billion because a lot of money had been invested in the airport and it had become one of the five best airports in Africa.”

    “[Now we are seeing] a strange development where a Turkish company is being given the airport; to take over the airport and run it. For $70 million we are giving 66 percent of the airport to a Turkish company. We are against it. It is wrong,” John Mahama said.

    Airport company’s response

    But reacting the Ghana Airport Company Limited said the claim by the former President was not true.

    It assured the “general public that Kotoka International Airport is NOT FOR SALE. The vision of making Ghana the Preferred Aviation Hub and leader in Airport Business in West Africa remains a priority.”

    It said the claim by Mr Mahama that an investment of $600 million was made at Kotoka is “incorrect.”

    “The amount may be in reference to funding of projects in all airports including $130 million Runway project at Tamale Airport and $25 million new airport in Ho.”

    It also said the claim that the GACL has been unable to service the syndicated loan facility is “untrue.” “To dare, GACL has met its repayment obligations under the loan facility,” the statement said.

    Below is a copy of the full reaction by the GACL 

    Kotoka Airport Not for Sale by The Independent Ghana on Scribd


    Source: graphic.com.gh