Stakeholders in Ghana’s Shipping, Trade, and Logistics sectors have
unanimously called for the expansion of the Disinfection Health Service
operated by the Ghana Health Service through its Crisis Management partner, LCB
Worldwide Ghana Limited.
This call was made during a stakeholder meeting on the Ghana Health
Service’s Disinfection Health Service held in Accra on Wednesday, December 3,
2025.
Representatives from key industry associations including the Ghana
Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Customs Brokers Association of Ghana
(CUBAG), Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Freight Forwarders
Association of Ghana (FFAG), Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana
(IEAG), Food and Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG), Exim Frozen Foods
Association of Ghana (EFFAG), Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG), Association
of Customs House Agents Ghana (ACHAG), and the Joint Association of Port
Transport Unions (JAPTU) commended the effectiveness of LCB Worldwide’s
operations at the ports and points of entry.
They expressed satisfaction with the disinfection process, emphasizing
that it causes no delays in the clearance chain and has significantly
strengthened Ghana’s preparedness for pandemics and public health emergencies.
A key highlight of the meeting was a presentation by Dr. Raphael John
Marfo, international public health and biosecurity expert at LCB Worldwide, and
former Director of Port Health at the Ghana Health Service.
Dr. Marfo elaborated on the concept of biosecurity and
its critical importance to Ghana’s maritime operations. He noted that Ghana has
taken a continental lead in implementing the World Health Organisation’s
International Health Regulations (IHR) through the disinfection of cargo at the
ports and points of entry.
He added that Tanzania and Nigeria have begun studying Ghana’s model
implemented jointly by the Ghana Health Service and LCB Worldwide, with the aim
of replicating it. Dr. Marfo cited increased port-entry efficiency, enhanced
shipping and travel safety, improved international credibility, and reduced
operational costs as key benefits of the program.
In a presentation on sustaining Ghana’s biosecurity, Fiifi
Buabeng-Baiden, Lead for Partnerships and Programs at LCB Worldwide Ghana,
outlined the hidden dangers of global trade and highlighted the necessity of
WHO-endorsed biosecurity interventions, such as disinfection at designated
points of entry.
He revealed that, unlike Ghana which implements the program at no cost
to the government, other countries spend significant amounts annually on
similar interventions:
· Belarus:
USD 5–10 million
· China:
USD 10–20 million
· Japan:
USD 25–30 million
· Russia:
USD 5–10 million
Mr. Buabeng-Baiden added that key aspects of Ghana’s approach is
benchmarked against countries such as the United States, Australia, Kenya, and
South Africa.
Mr. Bernard Brown, Deputy Director in charge of External Health at the
Ministry of Health, commended LCB Worldwide Ghana Limited for its excellent
work at ports and points of entry. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to
protecting the country from pandemics and diseases through ongoing fumigation
and disinfection efforts.
Chairing the engagement, Dr. Joseph Obeng, Former President and Council
Member of GUTA, pledged his continuous support for the program and backed calls
for its expansion across the country. He urged the government to assess the
program’s benefits, noting that it has positioned Ghana as a regional safe
haven in terms of health security.
Dr. Obeng recalled earlier in the
year when LCB met stakeholders and they agreed that they put on hold an
increment of their fees because of the exchange rate volatility. This, to him,
demonstrated the company’s sensitivity to the plight of the Ghanaian trader and
the general public.
An executive member of the Food and Beverage Association of Ghana
(FABAG), Mr. Samuel Aggrey, on his part, touted the implementation of the
International Health Regulations at the ports as the key and major policy
initiative of the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, and called
for its expansion.
Head of Research and Public Relations, Ms. Esinam Adukpo, expressed
profound appreciation to stakeholders for their overwhelming support and
continued collaboration. She assured them of the company’s unwavering
commitment to serving Ghana diligently and efficiently. She further assured
that improved equipment, upgraded monitoring systems, and strengthened
protocols are being implemented to keep Ghana’s disinfection regime at points
of entry responsive to evolving threats. She reiterated the commitment
of the company to continue to undertake its Corporate Social Responsibility of
fumigating and disinfecting market centers and schools across the country in
partnership with government and stakeholders.
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