The Covid-19 testing capacity of Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) is set to increase, with the receipt of mobile laboratory vans.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) handed the equipment following an arrangement with the German Technical Institute, GIZ.
Assistant Commissioner at the customs laboratory of the GRA, Mrs Phyllis Sakyi Gyan, who read the Commissioner of Customs Divisions of GRA, Col. Kwadwo Damoah’s (Rtd) speech at the short handing over ceremony explained the gesture was towards “increasing Ghana’s capabilities to test for SARS-COV-2 infections.”
Mrs Gyan further explained that the GRA’s intervention was a result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between GRA, KCCR, and GIZ.
“Under the MOU, the GRA is providing two mobile laboratory vans, two Chemists and two drivers to support the operation whilst GIZ provides logistics for the collaboration and KCCR who are in charge of the operation; provides experts to conduct the tests,” she added.
Coronavirus has mutated into a new, more infectious strain, scientists warn
Until now, the results of Covid-19 tests take up to four days to be released.
But with the introduction of the mobile laboratory van Covid-19 tests will be ready in just one and a half hours.
The laboratory vans will be able to move to Covid-19 hotspot areas for mandatory and random testing.
Scientific Director at KCCR, Prof Odame Philips, was confident Ghana’s Covid-19 fight would improve, with two mobile vans.
“I am very confident that our testing capabilities will increase with the addition of these two mobile laboratory vans,” he said.
He added that “our test usually takes four days to be ready but these vans with the special equipment installed will ensure faster results of Covid-19 tests as we also move to hinterlands and hot-spots to conduct Covid-19 tests.”
“Approach to controlling the pandemic is testing; tracing ad treatment, putting available resources to combat Covid-19 is the way to go,” he said.
He added that the “GRA’s intervention will augment government’s effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus.”
The GRA team took journalists and KCCR personnel at the short ceremony into the van to appreciate the technology being used to fight the Covid-19.