MFA Forges “Stringent Measures” To Make Way For Ghanaians Travelling To UAE

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has introduced “draconian” measures as a way of convincing the government of the United Arab Emirate (UAE) into reconsidering the travel ban imposed on Ghana.

This comes after the UAE announced a travel ban on Ghana and other African countries.

Emirate says travelers from Ghana, Guinea, Rwanda, and Uganda must present a valid negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate with a QR code for a test conducted at an approved facility within 48 hours of departure. Validity must be calculated from the time the sample was collected. Travelers must also present a valid negative COVID‑19 Rapid or Real-Time PCR test certificate with a QR code for a test conducted at the departure airport within 06 hours of departure, must undergo a COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival, and must remain in self-quarantine until they receive the test result.

Bowing to the demands of the UAE, the MFA has ordered airlines that ply Accra-Dubai routes to look out for test results from only five approved laboratories including LEDING, FRONTIERS, AIRPORT CLINIC, AKAI HOUSE, MDS LANCET from passengers seeking to travel to the UAE.

“Travelers to UAE from Accra would have to show a 24-hour negative test result, obtained within 24-hours before the scheduled departure time (validity must be calculated from time sample was taken and only hard copies of such negative results with barcodes for verification would be accepted).

“Passengers will additionally be required to present a negative COVID-19 rapid or rare time PCR test certificate with QR code for a test conducted at the airport within 6-hours of departing from LEDING and FRONTIERS.

Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said the measures “has all the trappings of a grotesque betrayal of the Ghanaian people”.

He wishes the government of Ghana had rather called the bluff of the UAE authorities and stood up for the Ghanaian people who elected him, instead of shamefully throwing Ghanaians to the wolves.

“We must rise and reject these measures outrightly. If the government cannot stop grovelling before foreign powers and stand up for its citizens then that government is not worth its mandate”, he stated.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini