The MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has praised the government’s decision to evacuate Ghanaians left stranded in other countries by the coronavirus disease.
The outspoken legislator has been advocating that Ghanaians caught abroad who want to return home be evacuated.
He argues that making the move to bring stranded Ghanaian nationals back home is the mark of a responsive government.
“Government must always be responsive to the plight of citizens. Better late than never,” Ablakwa wrote on Facebook.
Ghana’s borders still closed
In his tenth address to the nation on Sunday 31 April 2020, President Akufo-Addo announced the first phase of easing restrictions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Religious groupings such as churches and mosques can now return to fellowship, he said, but must accommodate not more than 100 people at a time and also adhere to all social distancing protocols.
While efforts are being made to bring home Ghanaian nationals stranded abroad, the President said, the country’s borders will remain closed to human traffic.
“Our border, by air, land and sea, remains closed until further notice for human traffic. However, given that there are Ghanaian residents stranded abroad, special dispensation is going to be given for their evacuation back to Ghana, where they will be subjected to the mandatory quarantine and safety protocols,” the president said.
Ablakwa applauds Akufo-Addo
Ablakwa praised President Akufo-Addo, however, for his decision to evacuate stranded Ghanaians abroad.
He suggested that it was the duty of the government to evacuate any Ghanaian who wishes to return home but is stranded in another country.
The National Democratic Congress MP said that, as such, he was delighted by the president’s decision finally to heed to people like him who have advocated a move of this sort since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease.
“I am glad President Akufo-Addo has finally given the green light for the evacuation of stranded Ghanaians, as I have long advocated,” the MP added.
Ghana receives returnees from Kuwait
On Sunday 23 May, 231 Ghanaians landed in the country after being repatriated from Kuwait.
All of the returnees were subsequently placed in 14-day quarantine after touching down at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra.
The Ghana Health Service later revealed that 35 of the returnees have tested positive for COVID-19 since their arrival.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s coronavirus case count has risen to 8,548, with 3,132 recoveries and 38 deaths.
E A Alanore
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