Ghana’s Mandatory Health Declaration Takes Effect for All Arrivals

Ghana’s mandatory online health declaration takes effect on November 12 for all travellers arriving in the country. The Ghana Health Service says passengers must complete the form before beginning their journey to Ghana, with airlines and travel agencies asked to inform travellers ahead of departure. In its November 7 announcement, signed by Director-General Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the service said passengers must complete the declaration “before embarking on their journey to Ghana.” It said the requirement is intended to strengthen surveillance and preparedness, improve monitoring of potential public-health risks and safeguard residents and visitors. South Korea’s embassy in Ghana set out passenger instructions in a November 10 advisory. It said the rule covers Ghanaian and foreign passengers on all flights arriving from November 12. Travellers should complete the online declaration before boarding at their departure airport and present the resulting QR code to the quarantine officer on arrival. Guardians may complete the form for children under 12. The health service described preparations in an October 29 article about training its Port Health staff at Accra International Airport on the electronic declaration system following Ebola outbreaks elsewhere on the continent. Staff practised completing and processing declarations so they could assist passengers. Dr Dennis Laryea, deputy director of the Public Health Division, urged personnel to monitor affected countries and check travellers’ histories.