It said the barriers and snap checkpoints were frustrating impediments to commuters and the explanation to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and entry of terrorists was unsatisfactory and asked the government to remove them.

Ambrose Dery, the Minister for the Interior’s explanation of barriers and extra check points to prevent spread of COVID-19 pandemic and entry of terrorists while answering questions from Dzifa Gomashie, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu South in the Volta Region, on the number of approved security barriers on the highway as unsatisfactory.

Sorkpa Agbleze, the Volta Regional NDC Communication Officer, said the party found the position of the minister as “ridiculous, unscientific and an attempt to frustrate motorists and commuters using the highways”.

He noted that strengthening of porous borders was rather prudent and not increasing the number of check points and called on MrDery for the quick removal of the 14 discriminatory snap check points and barriers on the Aflao-Accra, Ho-Accra Highways, because they constituted frustrating impediment to the free movement of citizens rather than providing any form of security for them.

“The many barriers and snap check points on the Aflao-Accra, Ho-Accra Highways make no security sense when our borders are porous and lessons across the sub-region prove this is not the best strategy in preventing COVID-19 pandemic and terrorists from entering the country.

‘The party also considers the position of the minister for residents of border districts to take advantage of ‘Ghana Cares Obaatanpa’ programme to enhance fortunes of their businesses until the border is reopened as not being in touch with reality since most of the people whose livelihood have been impacted do not qualify to access funds from the programme.

“The NDC in the Volta Region affirms its belief in removal of discriminatory and frustrating barriers and snap check points on the Accra to Aflao Highway and quick and unconditional re-opening of the Aflao Border in accordance with time table given by leaders of Economic Community of West Africa States because majority of the people along the border are suffering from acute starvation and loss of their livelihoods,” Mr Agbleze lamented.