Following the 58th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, held via video conferencing on Saturday, January 23, 2021, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says testing for COVID-19 for all ECOWAS nationals has been capped at $50.
Nana Akufo-Addo stated in a national broadcast on Sunday, January 31, 2021, that the cost for other nationals outside the sub-region will remain at $150.
“At the 58th Summit of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, held virtually, it was agreed that the cost of the COVID-19 test for inbound ECOWAS nationals at the Kotoka International Airport should be set at fifty United States dollars ($50). The cost of the COVID test for non-ECOWAS nationals at Kotoka International Airport remains one hundred and fifty dollars ($150),” President Akufo-Addo stated.
Prior to his announcement, Ghana charged all visitors from outside the country $150 for the COVID-19 test.
Following the ECOWAS meeting, a communiqué was issued that stated, “The Authority approves the harmonised ECOWAS Protocol for cross-border movement of persons and goods during the pandemic and caps the cost of COVID-19 PCR test for travel within the region by ECOWAS nationals at a maximum of US$50.”
Also read: COVID-19: Reintroduce restrictions on transport industry
Residents in some member countries have complained about the high cost of the test when travelling to neighbouring countries, particularly at ports of entry.
Ghana has confirmed 1,117 positive COVID-19 cases among visitors arriving at Kotoka International Airport.
841 of them have made a full recovery. There are 276 active cases in this population.
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