Ablakwa backs call for temporary opening of Ghana’s borders

The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has backed calls for a temporal opening of Ghana’s borders.

This, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said would allow Ghanaians stuck abroad to return home.
“I appeal to President Akufo-Addo to grant our fellow citizens a narrow window of return & be quarantined,” the North Tongu MP wrote on Facebook.

He said he has received calls from Ghanaians who are stranded in other countries appealing for the intervention so they can come home.
President Akufo-Addo ordered a closure of the country’s borders on March 21. By then, the country had recorded 21 cases of the Covid-19 pandemic with one fatality.
The President said the reason was to stop importation of the virus into Ghana.

All arrivals on the evening of the closure were mandatorily quarantined.

Of the over 1000 persons held, more than 100 tested positive for the new coronavirus, justifying the president’s decision.
But it has been six weeks since the borders were closed and some Ghanaians who are affected by the closure have grown weary.

Two weeks ago, two-time BET Award winner, Sarkodie, who is also stuck abroad implored Akufo-Addo to open the borders.

“Mr. president you’ve done so well with how you handling this pandemic, we appreciate your effort but please can we open the borders for at least a day or two in-between times for citizens stuck outside to get back pls,” Sarkodie wrote.

Mr president @NAkufoAddo you’ve done so well with how you handling this pandemic , we appreciate your effort  But please can we open the boarders for at least a day or two in between time for citizens stuck outside to get back pls

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However, it appears the pleas have not convinced the President.

In his May Day address, Akufo-Addo extended the border closure by a month.
He said the extension is to enable the country to contain the coronavirus pandemic which is wreaking havoc across the world.