Bernard Okoe-Boye
The government has allocated GH¢7,429,694.39 to the Ministry of Health to clear locked-up Global Fund commodities currently held at the Port.
A statement issued and signed on Thursday, June 13, 2024 by the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Health said it “has now received an amount of GH¢7,429,694.39 from the Ministry of Finance for the payment of demurrage for the clearance of all Global Fund outstanding containers at the Tema Port.”
It said a total of 283 containers of various commodities from the Global Fund through the Tema Port included 272 containers of mosquito nets, two containers of pharmaceuticals, (ARVs, HIV RDTs and ACTs), one container of TB medication and eight containers of medical devices and equipment (TB cartridges).
“In accordance with the above, the Ministry of Health, with the assistance of the Ministry of Finance, secured auction chits for the clearance of 219 containers, leaving an outstanding 64 containers without chits,” the statement added.
It, however, said that the Ministry’s inability to clear the commodities at the port was as a result of third-party charges amounting to GH¢7,429,694.39.
It indicated that following the development, a request letter was sent to the Ministry of Finance to assist them to secure auction chits for the outstanding 64 containers which comprises of one TB medication container, the remaining mosquito nets and the outstanding third party charges.
According to the ministry, following the release of the funds from the Ministry of Finance, all outstanding containers are expected to be cleared by June, 2024.
It, therefore, urged Ghanaians and all stakeholders to continue to exercise patience as it works to clear and deliver those essential commodities for the good of public health while reaffirming its commitment to promoting the interest and wellbeing of all Ghanaians through the provision of high-quality programmes and policies.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah