Chairman of Parliament’s Health Committee has dismissed claims by a Norwegian newspaper that the country is procuring Sputnik V vaccines from Russia at almost 100 per cent the original price.
This comes amid calls by the Minority for a bipartisan parliamentary probe into reports.
The newspaper, VG is reporting that Ghana is buying Sputnik vaccines that cost $10 per dose at $19 per dose.
The paper also alleges one of the intermediaries negotiating the deal is wanted by Norwegian Police for alleged financial crimes
Lead investigator at VG newspaper, Markus Tobiassen says numbers put out by government on the procurement do not add up.
Ranking member on Parliament's Health Committee, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh alleges some government officials are trying to profit from the Covid-19 pandemic.
He says he will summon the Health Minister to Parliament over the revelation in the Norwegian press.
"As a Minority group, we have to satisfy ourselves to get to know the truth of the matter. So, we will call for the agreement. And then, if we are not satisfied, we'll call for an independent investigation into the matter. Because the minister himself is complicit in this matter and is a very serious issue. If it turns out to be true, is a serious matter because it borders on the health of the people, it borders on a pandemic. And it breaches most of our rules and regulations in this country.
But, Chairman of the Health Committee, Dr. Ayew Afriyie denies any wrongdoing.
He urged the critics to approach the Ministry of Health for the appropriate figures as the ones currently in the public domain as reported by the media
"As far as the people would want to investigate, they should get the sides of the story, go to the ministry now they can give you, agreement of about four or five companies. The lowest they have, and I wish I could mention the name of the company, is $10 plus the supplier's commission of $2," he said.
Dr Afriyie further described the allegations as baseless.
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