Friday , March 29 2024

Coronavirus: Porous Borders Poses Threat To Ghana- Health Director

The Bia East District Director of Health Service Dr Timothy Kobbina Ofori, has called on government to urgently keep eyes on porous entry points in order to prevent entry of persons who may be carrying Coronavirus into the country.

He was speaking in an interview with Pinknews’ Kwaku Narh who toured the various border towns in the district.

According to the reporter, Ghanaian immigration officers were present at Plywood and Ahemakrom borders ensuring that persons who entered the country were free of the deadly disease.

However, the well known and main entry point into the district from neighboring Côte d’Ivoire had the presence of immigration officers of the neighboring countries only.

According to Kwaku Narh, the Ghanaian officers according to what was gathered by him have abandoned post from the Maasakrom border for sometime now.

The border is indicated with just a piece of wood on top of some cement blocks.

Commenting on the development, Dr Ofori called on government to intensify security at those borders and also support the immigration staff with adequate PPE’s and testing kits.

He applauded the Bia East District Assembly for donating to the directorate a Nissan pick-up vehicle,hand gloves,sanitizers,infrared thermometers to help in determining Coronavirus patients.

Dr. Ofori, also observed that a joint team comprising of health workers and immigration officers have been formed to serve as a response team and that the members have been trained enough to detect and deal with suspected cases.

He added that  members of Churches, Mosques, Schools, Market Women have been sensitized on the Pandemic.

An Immigration Officer at Ahema Krom R.O Atta Boakye Isaac, said though they do the necessary checks they need Port health to carry out Medical screening at the border towns.

Some residents in Maasakrom and Ahema however told Pinknews that they are living in fear over the disease and called on government to put in place stronger measures to prevent the disease from spreading intervention.

Story: Kwaku Narh/Pinknews

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