Commentary, News

Government’s Failure to Clear Locked-Up Health Commodities

By Selasi Korshe-Tse Wornameh, a Student at the GBC Training College

The government of Ghana suffered near humiliation at the 77th World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland on May 29, 2024. In a side meeting with Ghana’s delegation, The Global Fund reprimanded Ghana for its conduct with respect to the locked-up health items at the ports.

The delegation led by the Health Minister, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, officials of the Global Fund was unhappy and described the current situation as an “existential threat” to the relations between the Fund and Ghana. Without mincing words, the Fund called for an explicated solution of the matter.

The Global Fund indicated that in its history, they have never witnessed anything like what is currently happening in Ghana. It would be recalled that, on April 8, 2024, a coalition of some civil society organizations held a press conference and drew government’s attention to forty-five million US dollars worth of essential medication donated by the Fund to government meant for the treatment of HIV\AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which were locked-up at the port of Tema for months, getting close to a year.

The items comprise GeneXpert Cartridges, Artemisinin-Based combination therapy (Acts) for the treatment of malaria, insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and rapid diagnostic test (RDTs) kits. Coming on the heels of that news conference by the CSOs, government and for that matter, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry Of Health hurriedly issued a statement exonerating itself by quickly clearing 62 out of the 182 containers leaving 120 to be cleared within a few days amidst juicy Promises.

Though some people described the swift clearance of the 62 containers as a typical P.R and political gimmick, months down the line, these skeptics have been proven right. As of now the 120 containers are still at the mercy of the weather at the port, while CSO’s threaten a massive demonstration if government fails to do the the needful. The Global Fund, which is the brainchild of one of our own, the late UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan of blessed memory, is threatening to alienate Ghana, should government continue on this path regarding the drugs at the port. Ghana is on record to have been the first country to sign a grant with the Global Fund and has so far received about 1.3 billion dollars.

This is expected to hit 1.6 billion dollars in about three years, because the Fund currently has a 248 million dollars grant agreement with the Ghana to support the fight against some selected diseases, with additional 100 million dollars for health system strengthening, spanning 2024 and 2026. The health needs every country is paramount and governments must make it a priority to do all they can to support.

This indeed is not good and an embarrassment to the government and people of Ghana. This must never be repeated in whatever sector of the economy. Ghana directly or indirectly contributes to the Fund and must benefit. There is the need to do everything in her power to act in a manner that is encouraging. Global Fund is a very strategic partner for Ghana and we need to desist from actions and inactions, that jeopardize our relations with the Fund.