Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampam Constituency, Hon. Samuel Nartey George has commended government’s directive that persons flying in and out of the country are to be fully vaccinated.
Ghana Health Services has directed that effective Tuesday, December 14, 2021, persons flying in and out of the country are to be fully vaccinated and to strictly follow stipulated guidelines for both self-preservation and the protection of the larger society.
They also warned that Airlines which bring in passengers to the Kotoka International Airport who are not fully vaccinated shall be surcharged U$3,500 per passenger; and Airlines which board passengers without PCR test results, or transport and disembark passengers with Positive PCR test results into Accra will also be fined US$3,500 per passenger.
While non-Ghanaians who fall into this category may be denied entry and returned to the point of embarkation at a cost to the Airline, Ghanaian passengers will be allowed entry but subject to 14 days of mandatory quarantine at a designated facility.
This directive has since sparked debate in the media.
Nana Akomea, Managing Director of Intercity STC had warned of legal ramifications if Ghana Health Service and Ghana Airport Company goes ahead with its directive to vaccinate passengers at the Airport.
On his part, the Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress had also vowed to go every legal length to stop government from implementing the directive.
But in a series of tweets, the outspoken legislator, Sam George described the directive as sound and a very good step by the government.
‘’Compulsory vaccination upon entry to the Republic? Infringement of rights or public health policy? This is sound public health policy and a very good step by govt. I support it and hope it is implemented vigorously. Public health considerations supersede personal liberties,’’ he stated.
‘’As a Member of Parliament, I am guided in my public positions on issues by the 1992 Constitution, Parliament’s Standing Orders and Acts of Parliament. Section 22 of the Public Health Act 2012, Act 851 is clear. The State can mandate vaccination when required,’’ he further noted.
The Ghana health Service in an earlier release said it has had to adopt these stringent measures on both airlines and their passengers because of the increasing cases of the omicron variant in the country.