The Ghanaian government has allocated GHC7.4 million to the Ministry of Health for the clearance of essential medical supplies from the Global Fund, which have been detained at the Tema port for over a year. The announcement came shortly after the Minority Caucus in Parliament demanded immediate action to release the commodities.
The Global Fund for Community Foundation had generously donated these medical supplies to Ghana at no cost. However, the government’s delay in settling the required taxes, levies, and port charges, estimated at US$3.6 million, resulted in the prolonged holdup of these life-saving drugs.
In a statement released on Thursday, June 13, 2024, by the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, it was revealed that the Ministry had received a total of 283 containers of “various commodities,” including tuberculosis medication, through the Tema port.
With the newly acquired funds, the Ministry of Health expressed its commitment to clearing all outstanding containers by the end of June 2024. The amount of GHC7,429,694.39 provided by the Ministry of Finance is set to cover the payment demurrage and complement the payment of third-party charges.
This development is a significant step towards addressing the healthcare needs of the Ghanaian population and ensuring the availability of critical medications. The full statement from the Health Ministry underscores the government’s resolve to expedite the clearance process and mitigate any further delays in the distribution of these vital drugs.
Source : sankofaonline.com
