Former General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Atik Mohammed has strongly criticized Frontiers Healthcare Services (FHS), the organization in charge of the Airport COVID-19 testing project, for their response to allegations of misconduct made against them during their operation of the COVID-19 testing project at Kotoka International Airport.

Member of Parliament (MP) for the North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa accused the FHS of being involved in some alleged corrupt activities while it undertook the COVID-19 testing project.

In response to these allegations, FHS, in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 24, highlighted the significance of setting the record straight in light of the various accusations made by the MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Labeling these allegations as “false, baseless, and a complete fabrication", Frontier Healthcare Services stressed that "the reopening of the country's air borders in the midst of the pandemic was made possible by the introduction of this innovative system focused on arresting the potential inflow and onward transmission of the virus to the resident population of Ghana".

"It is rather unfortunate that what ought to be hailed as one of the greatest achievements of our nation during the pandemic has rather been wrought with so much controversy and negative press owing to the politically polarized nature of our dear nation," the institution added.

Frontiers Healthcare Services further explained that "the arrangement between FHS and the Government of Ghana was regulated by a duly negotiated, executed contract robustly negotiated by world-class professionals on either side. There was a global pandemic that was killing people at an alarming rate and destroying the nation’s economy.

"It would be wrong for the government to, at the moment, be aiming at making money off screening travelers coming into the country. The government’s responsibility and goal at that time was to facilitate easy and affordable international travel to get the economy back on track."

But in an interview with Peace FM, Atik said that the rejoinder has done more damage than good.

He stated that the company did not adequately address the pertinent issues, especially those related to the contractual agreement between them and the government to provide their services. Instead, they engaged in ad hominem attacks.

"They've not been able to indicate to us that indeed there was a contract signed between Frontiers Healthcare Services and the government and who the signatories were. All they have said is that, in the face of this COVID-19 and the government's desire to do the testing, they submitted a proposal to Ghana Airport Company Ltd., and Airport Company Ltd. approved that proposal, and then they deployed machines to the borders," he said.

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