Julie Essiam
Acting Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Julie Essiam, has given assurance to prioritise consistent and meaningful engagement with clients.
The commitment came during a meeting to resolve an impasse at the Tema Port regarding the seizure of essential medications for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Earlier this year, it came out that $45 million worth of pharmaceutical products procured through the Global Fund were stuck at the port. The impasse arose from unpaid third party charges on the medications, essential in the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. This delay threatened to exacerbate existing stock shortages and raised concerns from the public and healthcare professionals.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), in a statement last month, expressed its concerns about the potential consequences.
Dr. Samuel Kow Donkoh, President of the PSGH, stated, “The deadlock imperils the health and well-being of numerous Ghanaians grappling with HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria.”
Recognising the urgency of the situation, Ms. Essiam, upon assuming her new role, convened a meeting with the Country Coordinating Mechanism of the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, (CCM-Ghana) to seek a speedy resolution.
“It is unfortunate that whilst an exemption had been granted for the products, outstanding third party clearance fees resulted in demurrage and other penalties,” Ms. Essiam explained. However, she emphasised, “the GRA will prioritise constant engagement with our clients in order to avoid such delays in the future.”
The meeting between the GRA and the CCM-Ghana yielded positive results, with Ms. Essiam highlighting the importance of open communication and collaboration. “I am committed to engaging consistently and meaningfully with stakeholders from all sectors,” she declared. “This will ensure transparency in our processes and foster a collaborative environment where we can work together to find solutions to the issues that affect all of us.”
She added, “It is my priority to ensure that the GRA serves the needs of our clients not only with integrity and fairness but also with empathy.”
She said this approach would foster communication, trust and collaboration with stakeholders, and help address and resolve challenges speedily.
It is expected that following the intervention of Commissioner-General Essiam, the first batch of 12 bills of lading of pharmaceutical products will leave the ports by the close of this week, for onward distribution in Ghana’s fight against HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria.
By Samuel Boadi