Member of Parliament of Tamale Central has called out the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) for saying it is unaware of Frontiers’ proceeds from Covid-19 testing.
The company was tasked by government to undertake an assessment of travellers at the airport as part of measures to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus.
This GACL in responding to a request made by JoyNews’ Research Desk indicated that “it is unable to confirm the amount of money derived from the covid-19 testing.”
In a September 19 letter justifying this position, GACL Managing Director Pamela Djamson-Tettey explained that this was “because passengers paid directly to Frontiers Healthcare, providers of the service.”
But the Tamale Central legislator will have none of that.
“That is absolute nonsense,” he told Emefa Apawu.
Speaking on Joy FM‘s Midday News, Murtala Mohammed explained that the GACL was entitled to a percentage of each test conducted for which reason it is untenable to feign ignorance.
“Ghana Airport Company had $2 from every $150. How did they calculate the $2?… so they can easily provide the information. Assuming that three people came through the airport, so you multiply $150 by three. That will give you $450. And out of the %450, you get $6,” he added.
For him, the GACL is hiding something and withholding information for that matter.
“Simply, they are unwilling to provide that information.”
The application also contained a request for a copy of the agreement between government and the healthcare service provider.
In that regard, the MD said she cannot disclose that in accordance with Section 10 of the Right to Information Act, 2019, Act 989.
The desk also sought the modalities that led to Frontiers’ selection action for the activity.
But the GACL says it “is not in possession of the chronology of the processes that led to the selection and award to Frontiers Health Services to provide the COVID-19 testing at the Airport.”
The Frontiers deal came under intense scrutiny following allegations of corruption levelled by some civil society organisations and opposition MPs.
Transport Minister Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, however, explained to Parliament that the Ghana Airports Company complied fully with the procurement laws.
