Locked up Global Fund supplies: Government goofed a little – NPP MP admits

Dr. Dickson Adomako Kissi, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Anyaa-Sowutuom, has conceded that there were lapses in Ghana's management of medical supplies, which have been detained at the Tema port for over a year.

These supplies, provided by the Global Fund, are crucial to the nation's health infrastructure.

During a Channel One interview on Saturday, June 16, Dr. Adomako Kissi discussed the significant delays in clearing medical supplies, donated by international organizations such as the Global Fund and GAVI, and the impact of these delays on healthcare services.

He expressed remorse for the mismanagement and stressed the need for a more effective system to handle health-related imports.

Dr. Adomako Kissi pointed out that with better coordination and oversight, Ghana could have avoided these issues, which are detrimental to the healthcare system.

“…I think that we’ve goofed a little in all honesty…let me admit that our finances in the country are quite challenging…So our priorities will shift and the availability will also be a problem.

“So I wouldn’t say that we haven’t had a misstep. We’ve had a misstep and it is unfortunate that items that are very useful in terms of our health prevention activities have suffered.”

The MP highlighted the necessity for prompt and efficient distribution of donated medical supplies and called for increased accountability and transparency in the management of health resources. He urged the government to take lessons from these mistakes to prevent recurrence.

Dr. Adomako Kissi also touched on the country's vaccine challenges earlier in the year, attributing them to the expectation that Ghana would take on responsibilities previously managed by international aid.

He admitted that the country's financial difficulties have led to a shift in priorities and availability issues, affecting the distribution of essential health prevention items.

“…Our vaccine issues earlier this year were also as a result of the expectation that Ghana should muscle up, or you know, gear up for taking over many things that were provided to us at no cost.

“So in re-calibrating or readjusting as a nation, to be able to manage our affairs with regards to getting items from GAVI and all these other world organisations, these are some of the challenges that I think will happen,” the MP said.

Recent reports indicated that numerous containers of medical supplies from the Global Fund had been stuck at Tema Port.

The supplies, valued at around $40 million, were donated to the Ministry of Health by the Fund to assist in Ghana's battle against HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.

Reports indicate that out of some 182 containers of medical supplies sent to Ghana, only 14 had been cleared by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), leaving the rest detained at Tema port due to unpaid third-party fees.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance following public outcry have since made efforts to ensure the containers are cleared.

GA/SARA

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