5TH MAY, 2021

PRESS RELEASE
RE: SHIP CREWS ARRIVING AT GHANA’S SEA PORTS MUST GO THROUGH
TESTING:
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has taken note of a publication in the media
alleged to be authored by the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on
Health, the Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh with regards to the above-mentioned subject. In the
said publication, the author stated that no tests were conducted at the Seaports to prevent the
spread of the COVID-19 Virus. Please note that the statements in the referenced publication on
GhanaWeb is factually inaccurate. We would like to clarify the following:
1. A multi-stakeholder Covid 19 committee was instituted at the beginning of the year 2020
when news of the then epidemic started even before it became a pandemic and national
protocols were put in place. The committee comprises of Stakeholders in the Maritime
and Port Community began with Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Port
Health, Immigration, Navy, National Security, Ministry of Food and Agriculture,
Meridian Port Services and Customs Division of GRA. This was later expanded to
include a representative from Ghana Health Service. The committee has consistently
operated to provide the regulations to the Port Community even before the first partial
lockdown was imposed.

2. Based on the work of the committee, the Port Authority has from the onset of the
Pandemic outlined and issued clear regulations to the business and general public with
regards to Covid 19 protocols covering the various activities in the country’s Ports and
Terminals. These regulations were communicated through letters, media houses and one-
on-one education and sensitization programmes.

There are very clear and mandatory procedures for the reception of vessels and handling
of crew embarkation and disembarkation in Ghana, which all shipping lines and the Port
Community is apprised of and are adhering to. In this regard ship crew either embarking
or disembarking vessels go through stated Covid 19 protocols. These protocols have long

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 been in force since March 2020 and have been updated when required based on
presidential directives.

Please note the regulations and industry procedures for embarkation and disembarkation.
EMBARKATION (ON SIGNERS)
 The local Shipping Agent officially writes to Immigration, Port Health, the Harbour
Master and Head of Health Services GPHA, with supporting documents from Ghana
Maritime Authority (GMA), requesting for embarkation approval with requisite crew
lists, crew bio data and other related documents. This is required 48-72 hours before the
expected date for crew change.
 For crew arriving by air, Embarkation is facilitated after all COVID19 protocols at the
Ghanaian Airport are met.
 All arriving crew members must also possess COVID-19 negative PCR test results from
an accredited laboratory in the country of origin.
 GPHA Health Services facilitates crew change subject to the following as applicable:
1. Supporting COVID-19 clearance documents from the Ghana Airports, if the crew
is joining from overseas. However, if the overseas crew extends their stay in
Ghana and the airport PCR test expires, they are mandated to take and submit the
results of new tests before Port entry and embarkation is allowed.
2. Requisite health and COVID-19 clearance certificates if the crew is locally based.
 Based on the above test results, the approved lists of the cleared crew members are
circulated to the Harbour Master, Immigration and GPHA Security by GPHA Health
Services for embarkation to proceed.
 Cleared crew members are subsequently given passes by Immigration to embark.
 The crew members are then transported to the vessel (if in port) or to join the vessel at the
anchorage via a service boat arranged by the shipping Agent.

DISEMBARKATION (OFF SIGNERS)

a. The disembarkation procedures ensure that the Port Authority, Immigration, and
Port health are updated on the categories of vessels approaching the country’s
waters one week before arrival. The vessels fill and submit electronic Health
declaration forms showing the crews health status on Covid-19 and other
diseases; with subsequent updates daily until the vessel arrives.
b. The procedures ensure that the health status of all crew members who arrive in the
country’s shores are reported, and all crew have the requisite health clearance
documentation.
c. All Vessels whether from high-risk origins or not, whose crew members have
symptoms of COVID-19 or any other illness remain at the designated quarantine
anchorage (QA) which is three (3) nautical miles away from the port; for Port
Health and Medical Services personnel to retrieve samples for the required
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 testing. If the test results are positive, a Covid-19 protocol is immediately
activated where the patients are isolated in their cabins while still at anchorage.
The GPHA Head of Health Services immediately notifies the Tema Metro Health
Directorate and the Tema West Municipal Health Directorate who determine the
requisite treatment or isolation centre based on the condition of the patient.
d. Per these arrangements and many more that were instituted by the Port Authority
in liaison with the other maritime stakeholders, there is limited possibility for
spread of COVID-19 in the country through the Seaports.
e. Please see below Covid-19 testing statistics from May 2020 to 5:00pm on
Tuesday 4th May 2021. Samples taken from disembarking (Off Signing) crew
members total 754 Negative and 14 Positive results. The Positive crew were
treated at designated isolation and treatment centres and subsequently discharged.

Total Off Signing Crew Covid 19 Test

Statistics
May 2020 To 5th May 2021
No Indicator Number
1 Samples taken from crew members 768
2 Total Negative 754
3 Total Confirmed/Positive 14

It is unfortunate that information on Covid-19 protocols which are enforced in all the Ghana Sea
Ports and terminals taking into cognizance the National regulations and Ghana Airport protocols,
was not sought from the Port Authority and its stakeholder community. These protocols have
been in implementation since March 2020 and are also in sync with the European Union (EU)
guidelines and standard operating procedures for Seaports.
We reiterate that the Port Authority and the Port Community is resolved to ensuring that our
Seaports as gateways remain safe and secure for Port users and Ghana as a whole.
For future related information needs or enquiries you are welcome to contact Dr Vitus Anaab-
Bisi the GPHA Head of Health Services and the Incident Commander of the Port Community
Covid19 Committee on +233 244 329 093.

SIGNED

ESTHER GYEBI-DONKOR (MRS.)

GENERAL MANAGER, MARKETING AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS
GHANA PORTS AND HARBOURS AUTHORITY (GPHA)

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