Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, has vowed to expedite the clearance of numerous containers packed with essential medical supplies donated by the Global Fund.
These supplies, valued at approximately $40 million, are crucial for Ghana’s fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.
Of the 182 containers sent to Ghana, only 14 have been cleared by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The remaining containers are stuck at Tema Port due to unpaid third-party fees, creating a significant bottleneck in the distribution of these vital supplies.
During a visit to La General Hospital on June 13, 2024, Dr. Okoe-Boye expressed his frustration and commitment to resolving the issue.
“In two weeks, I myself will not be encouraged if there are one or two more containers still left at the port. If by two weeks, we still have containers at the port, you will not see me here; I’ll be sitting right at the port with them until everything comes out,” he stated.
Dr. Okoe-Boye underscored his determination to cut through bureaucratic red tape to ensure the swift release of these medical supplies.
“We are committed to getting the containers in, and for me, personally, irrespective of the bureaucracies involved with government and all that, I have given myself two weeks,” he asserted.
The delay in clearing these supplies has persisted for over two years, primarily because the government was unable to waive taxes on the goods. Despite clearing 14 containers this year, the government has been unable to clear the remaining 168 containers due to accumulating fees.
This situation has raised alarm among civil society organizations in the health sector, who have announced plans for a street protest on June 25, 2024, to demand the expedited clearance of the supplies.