The Ministry of Health says it has received funds from the Finance Ministry to clear about 64 Global Fund outstanding containers at the Tema Port.

In a press release, the ministry stated that the amount of GH₵7,429,694.39 received would enable the Health Ministry to handle the payment of demurrage and third-party charges.

“The Ministry of Health, has now received an amount of GH₵7,429,694.39 from the Ministry of Finance for the payment of demurrage for the clearance of all Global Fund outstanding containers at the Tema Port. This amount is expected to complement the payment of third-party charges as outlined above,” the June 13 release read.

The Ministry said the remaining containers include one TB medication container and the rest contain mosquito nets.

The release also urged the public to continue to "exercise patience as we work to ensure the clearance and delivery of these essential commodities for the good of public health.”

• Read also: TB, other drugs shortage crisis imminent if Global Fund medications aren’t cleared by end of June

The update follows Ghana Medical Association (GMA)'s revelation that the country is likely to face a significant shortage of some essential drugs by the end of June.

According to the GMA some facilities are already relying on others for important medications.

This follows a final warning by Global Fund demanding immediate clearance of tuberculosis (TB) and malaria medications that arrived in the country last October.

Also, the Minority in Parliament issued a 24-hour ultimatum to government to clear all Global Fund consignments from the port.

• Read also: Your level of irresponsibility unprecedented – Minority gives government 24 hours to clear Global Fund consignment

Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday, Ranking Member on the Health Committee, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, said Ghana currently owes $33 million in counterpart funding.

He described "this level of irresponsibility" as "unprecedented, to say the least."

"Even when the Global Fund was shipping these commodities to Ghana, they added something for clearing, and per my calculation, they added not less than $2 million and Ghana government gets back to them and he tells them that look, we have increased our port charges and therefore, the money you have given us is not enough to clear these commodities from the ports. Who does this?

"Even the counterpart funding we are supposed to pay - and this counterpart funding it is not money that must be paid to Global Fund is 'show me evidence of procurement, whatever you need, 15% of the money I'm giving you. So the 15% of the 248 go and buy whatever you need as a country and come and show me the evidence and I'll continue to give you whatever you need. And even with that counterpart funding is a tug of war. As I speak to you now, we are owing in excess of US$33 million," the MP said.

Read full release:

GOVERNMENT ALLOCATES FUNDS FOR THE CLEARANCE OF LOCKED-UP GLOBAL FUND COMMODITIES AT THE PORT

The Ministry of Health is pleased to announce it has received funds for clearance of locked-up Global Fund commodities currently held at the port including TB medication.

The Ministry of Health received a total of 283 containers of various commodities from the Global Fund through the Tema port with the breakdown as follows.

Item Description	Number of containers
Mosquito Nets (ITNs)	272
Pharmaceuticals (ARVs, HIV RDTs, and ACTs,)	2
TB Medication	1
Medical Devices and Equipment (TB cartridges)	8
Total number of containers	283

In accordance with the above, the Ministry of Health with the assistance of the Ministry of Finance secured auction chits for the clearance of 219 containers, leaving an outstanding 64 containers without chits. However, the Ministry’s inability to clear the commodities at the port was as a result of third-party charges amounting to GHC 7,429,694.39

Further to the above, a request letter was sent to the Ministry of Finance to assist in the securing of auction chits for the outstanding 64 containers which comprises of one TB medication container the remaining mosquito nets and the outstanding third-party charges.

The Ministry of Health, has now received an amount of GHC7,429,694.39 from the Ministry of Finance for the payment demurrage for the clearance of all Global Fund outstanding containers at the Tema Port. This amount is expected to complement the payment of third-party charges as outlined above.

It is expected that with the funds received, all outstanding containers will be cleared by the end of June 2024.

We therefore urge the people of Ghana and our stakeholders to continue to exercise patience as we work to ensure the clearance and delivery of these essential commodities for the good of public health.

The Ministry of Health reaffirms its unwavering commitment to promoting the interests and well-being of all Ghanaians through the provision of high-quality services, programmes and policies.

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MINISTRY OF HEALTH