The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has indicated that its seaports cannot be an avenue for the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
According to management of GPHA, COVID-19 protocols are being implemented at the seaports since March 2020, hence, the assertion of the spread of the disease through the ports was unfathomable.
To prove this, the authority has released data of the number of crew members who were taken through COVID-19 tests before they could transact business with the port.
The data showed that from March 2020 until yesterday, a total of 768 crew disembarked at its premises.
Out of this number, 754 tested negatives, while 14 tested positive. Those who tested positive were treated at designated isolation treatment centers, and subsequently discharged, management said.
These comments from the GPHA stem from a publication authored by the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, which was published on some online news portals.
In the said publication, Mr Akandoh stated that no tests were being conducted at the seaports to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
But the GPHA says the publication was factually inaccurate and insisted that protocols were observed.
Throwing light on the protocols, the statement indicated that a multi-stakeholder COVID-19 committee was instituted at the beginning of the year 2020 when news of the then epidemic started, even before it became a pandemic, and national protocols were put in place.
The committee comprised stakeholders in the maritime and port community, namely, the GPHA, Port Health, Immigration, Navy, National Security, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Meridian Port Services, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and a representative from the Ghana Health Service.
This committee has consistently operated to provide the regulations to the port community, even before the first partial lockdown was imposed, management of the port said.
They indicated that the work done by the committee brought into existence various rules and regulations to guard members of the port community against the pandemic.
Some of the rules were that ship crews either embarking or disembarking vessels go through stated COVID-19 protocols.
“Crews wishing to embark are made to write a letter to Immigration, Port Health, the Harbour Master and Head of Health Services GPHA, with supporting documents from Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), requesting for embarkation approval with requisite crew lists, crew bio data and other related documents. This is required 48-72 hours before the expected date for crew change.
“But for crew arriving by air, embarkation is facilitated after all COVID-19 protocols at the Ghanaian Airport are met. All arriving crew members must also possess COVID-19 negative, PCR test results from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin.”
For disembarkation, Port Authority, Immigration, and Port health must be updated on the categories of vessels approaching the country’s waters one week before arrival.
The vessels fill and submit electronic health declaration forms showing the crews health status on Covid-19, and other diseases, with subsequent updates daily until the vessel arrive, management stated.
“Per these arrangements, and many more that were instituted by the Port Authority in liaison with the other maritime stakeholders, there is limited possibility for spread of COVID-19 in the country through the seaports.
“It is unfortunate that information on COVID-19 protocols, which are enforced in all the Ghana sea ports and terminals, taking into cognisance the national regulations and Ghana airport protocols was not sought from the port authority and its stakeholder community,” they said.
The GPHA said that the port authority and the port community is resolved to ensuring that Ghana’s seaports, as gateways, remain safe and secure for port users, and Ghana as a whole.
The post GPHA replies NDC MP: Yes, we observed COVID-19 protocols appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS