The Ministry of Health has announced that it has received funds from the Ministry of Finance to clear about 64 Global Fund outstanding containers at the Tema Port.
In a press release issued on June 13, the Ministry stated that it had received an amount of GH₵7,429,694.39, which would enable it to handle the payment of demurrage and third-party charges for the containers.
The release indicated that the remaining containers include one containing TB medication and the rest containing mosquito nets.
The Ministry urged the public to exercise patience as it works to ensure the clearance and delivery of these essential commodities for the good of public health.
This update comes in the wake of concerns raised by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) about a possible shortage of essential drugs by the end of June. According to the GMA, some facilities are already relying on others for important medications.
The Global Fund had previously issued a final warning demanding the immediate clearance of tuberculosis (TB) and malaria medications that arrived in the country last October.
In response to these concerns, the Minority in Parliament issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the government to clear all Global Fund consignments from the port. Ranking Member on the Health Committee, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, described the situation as “unprecedented,” criticizing the government for its handling of the issue.
He highlighted challenges with counterpart funding, stating that Ghana currently owes $33 million in counterpart funding to the Global Fund.
Mr Akandoh criticized the government for failing to utilize the funds provided by the Global Fund for clearing the commodities from the port, citing increased port charges as a reason for the delay.