The National Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi has dragged the Attorney-General (A-G) and two others to court over the mandatory vaccinations policy at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
The government in stemming the further spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19 issued new strict guidelines at the Airport including the compulsory vaccination of travelers into the country.
In a statement announcing new plans, the authorities said effective Tuesday, December 14, 2021, persons flying in and out of the country are to be fully vaccinated and to strictly follow stipulated guidelines for both self-preservation and the protection of the larger society.
The authorities had also warned that Airlines which bring in passengers to the Kotoka International Airport who are not fully vaccinated shall be surcharged U$3,500 per passenger; and Airlines which board passengers without PCR test results, or transport and disembark passengers with Positive PCR test results into Accra will also be fined US$3,500 per passenger.
But the NDC’s Communicator and three other applicants- Bernard Ackah Blah, Mawuko K. Kwame and Berys Ama Sarpong are in court challenging the legality of the mandatory vaccination stressing that the policy violates the fundamental human rights of Ghanaians.
The other Respondents in the suit are the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and Ghana Airport Company.
Mr Gyamfi also a legal practitioner and the other applicants said the directive is an affront to the 1992 Constitution and as a result want the court to order the Ghana Health Service and authorities at the KIA to put a stop to the directive.
“That I am advised by Counsel and verily believe same to be true that in view of this, no institution, body, agency or department has the power to impose any restriction on the freedom of movement provided for by Article 21(1)(g) unless those restrictions are contained in the exceptions provided under Article 21(4) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.”
They are also demanding “a declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents (GHS) contravene medical ethics and best practices that govern Covid-19 vaccine administration.”
They also demand “a declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents violated Section 2(1) of the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (ACT 1012) and Sections 21, 22 and 30 of the Public Health Act, 2012 (ACT 851) and therefore illegal.”
The 89-paragraph affidavit in support of the motion among others further demand a declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents contravene the guidelines of the Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana on the administration of Emergency Use Authorized medical products and same are unreasonable.
The applicants also want a declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents contravene the guidelines of the World Health Organization regarding proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international travelers, and that same is unreasonable.
They also seek a declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents contravene medical ethics and best practices that govern COVID-19 vaccine administration.
source :mypublisher24.com