Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery cutting the tape to the new facility
THE MINISTER for the Interior, Ambrose Dery, has commissioned a COVID-19 testing facility at the headquarters of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) in Accra.
On Friday morning, the Interior Minister, accompanied by some officials from his outfit and the Comptroller General and other officers of the GIS officially commissioned the new testing facility.
The facility, which was set up in partnership with V-Check Health Solutions, is expected to among others be used in testing officers of the Service as they go about their official duties since they deal mainly with foreigners.
In his welcome address, the Comptroller General of the GIS, Kwame Asuah Takyi, described the facility as a dream come true and timely intervention considering the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, especially as Ghana battles the Delta strain variant of the virus.
He noted that the facility was a combination of hard work, determination, perseverance as well as lengthy discussions with partners; all with the aim of ensuring that the pandemic is truncated at the work place, saying management was mindful of the health of its officers and staff as well as visitors who visit the GIS premises.
Mr. Takyi stressed that the GIS was committed to supporting in every possible way, government’s efforts in curbing the effects of the pandemic in the country.
Director of the GIS Medical Centre, Dr. Prince Opoku Boateng said with the emergence of the Delta strain of the virus, “the facility had come at a good time to help us fight it.”
“We will do our utmost best to provide the best health care to all officers of the Service,” he assured.
On his part, the Minister of the Interior, Ambrose Dery, commended the GIS for the initiative saying they are responsive to the health protocols.
He disclosed that while Ghana was still looking forward to receiving more vaccines, government was also putting in place programmes to build local capacities for the production of vaccines.
The Interior Minister was subsequently tested following his inspection of the facility.
He said he was impressed with the overall setup and output of the place and conduct of the GIS and medical officers.
By Nii Adjei Mensahfio