Secretary General of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Professor Vincent Nmehielle, has described as exorbitant the cost of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Covid-19 test at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
According to Mr Nmehielle, the cost of the mandatory testing at the nation’s airport has the potential to affect free movement into the country.
“I had to pay $150 at KIA and that was scary for me and I think it’s going to affect alot of movement into the country especially given the fact that Ghana is the host nation of the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA),” he averred.
“For me I think the cost is exorbitant and needs to be relooked at, because in South Africa I had the test for less than $10,” he added.
Mr Nmehielle made the assertion at a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony with the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, to allow Ghana host the 2021AfDB Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Accra.
The meeting slated for May 24 to 28, 2021 would provide a unique opportunity to discuss challenges and ways to advance the continent’s regional integration agenda, the energy sector, food security, climate change, and among others.
The $150 PCR Covid test has already been described by stakeholders as a disincentive to businesses and tourists that want to travel into the country.
