Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, has justified government’s procurement of Sputnik-V vaccines despite concerns about the cost involved.
Government has come under pressure following its decision to use intermediaries to secure more than three million Sputnik-V vaccines at a cost of 19 dollars instead of 10 dollars on the international market.
The Minister of Health came under public criticism for the procurement, with the Minority threatening to drag him before Parliament for securing the vaccines above-standard price.
Member of Parliament for Juaboso in the Western North Region, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who is also the Ranking Member on the Health Committee said action would be taken because the Ministry’s justification for securing the vaccines at an above-standard price is unacceptable and very difficult to believe.
Reacting to the issue, Mr. Agyeman-Manu, said Ghana had no choice but to procure the vaccines at an overpriced value.
He explained that the procurement was due to the second wave of COVID-19 which had already claimed many lives.
Mr. Agyeman Manu was speaking to journalists at the sidelines of the launch of the Pest and Vector Control Association of Ghana in Accra.