While Ghana prepared to begin the disinfection of all imports and exports at the ports on March 1, 2018, players in the international trade arena were hoping that the country was on its way to gaining more acceptability and credibility in terms of guaranteeing safety and security of imports and exports.
The disinfection is aimed at arresting and preventing bio-hazardous infectious diseases from entering the country.
LCB Worldwide Ghana Limited, a wholly owned Ghanaian company with expertise in crisis management and prevention, has been contracted by government to undertake the project at the various ports and points of entry.
But industry watchers are worried about the exclusion of Kotoka International Airport from the disinfection exercise as it plays a major role in international trade arena.
They argue that it is imperative to ensure total and absolute coverage of all seaports, airports and points of entry and exit to ensure the maximisation of the benefits of the project.
According to members of key business associations, any delays in extending the project to Ghana’s only international airport, which receives huge cargo volumes every year, will defeat the purpose for which the disinfection exercise is being carried out.
They want the powers that be to act speedily to ensure the total coverage of the country as far as the prevention of bio hazardous infectious diseases is concerned.
A member of one of the business associations, pleading anonymity, said: “We understand the company that has been contracted to undertake the exercise is pre-financing it and this comes at no cost to government so why are they leaving out the Kotoka International Airport? Are they trying to find someone else to do it at additional/inflated cost to the country?
“Government should get the company to start mounting its tunnels in the airport so that we can ensure absolute safety and security in terms of preventing infectious diseases from entering the country.’’
