|
 All Ghanaians leaving the country will also be required to show
proof of vaccination, health service director general Patrick
Kuma-Aboagye said in a statement, citing as reasons a rise in
COVID-19 cases and detection of the Omicron variant.
Ghana has so far administered vaccines to cover roughly 5.7% of its
population of 30 million, data compiled by Reuters showed.
Its newly announced vaccination requirements are among the strictest
in Africa, where vaccine uptake has been slow due to lack of supply
and logistical challenges.
"The current increase in cases, together with the detection of the
Omicron variant among international arrivals and the expected
increase during the festive season, calls for urgent actions to
prevent a major surge in COVID-19 cases in Ghana," Kuma-Aboagye said
in his statement, released late on Thursday.
Ghana is holding a vaccination drive this month, and from Jan. 22
the vaccine will become mandatory for targeted groups including
government employees, health workers and students.
[to top of second column] |
 From January proof of
vaccination will also be needed to access night
clubs, beaches, sports stadiums and restaurants.
Over the last two weeks, COVID-19 cases recorded at
the Kotoka International Airport in the capital Accra accounted for
about 60% of total infections in the country, said Kuma-Aboagye.
Data from the airport showed that people who tested positive were
three times more likely to be unvaccinated, he said. Among 34 cases
where the Omicron variant was detected, 75% of them were
unvaccinated.
Ghana's health service has recorded 131,246 cases and 1,228 deaths
from COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
(Reporting by Christian Akorlie; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing
by Gareth Jones)
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