The Ministry of Health (MoH) has provided assurances that the backlog of critical medical supplies currently held at the port will be cleared within the next two weeks. 

This commitment follows mounting pressure from health-focused Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) regarding the delayed release of medicines funded by the Global Fund, essential for treating diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV.

According to reports, these medical supplies have been detained at the ports since May 2023, significantly affecting their timely distribution and availability in healthcare facilities across the country. 

The government attributes the delay to new processes for exemption bill payments and additional charges imposed during clearance procedures.

Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, the Minister overseeing the health sector, reaffirmed the government's commitment to addressing this issue promptly. 

Speaking to journalists in Accra on Thursday, June 13, Dr Okoe Boye assured that efforts are underway to expedite the clearance of these essential supplies within the specified time-frame of two weeks.

The Minister's statement comes amidst planned demonstrations by health-focused CSOs advocating for the immediate release of the Global Fund medicines. 

These organisations have expressed concerns over the potential impact of the delayed supplies on public health outcomes, particularly in managing infectious diseases prevalent in Ghana.

Dr Okoe Boye acknowledged the urgency of the situation and emphasised the Ministry's proactive measures to ensure that healthcare facilities receive the necessary medications without further delay. 

He underscored the government's commitment to streamlining the clearance processes and addressing any bureaucratic challenges hindering the timely distribution of medical supplies critical to combating prevalent diseases in the country.

“We are committed to getting the containers out and for me personally, irrespective of the bureaucracies involved with government and all that I have given myself two weeks. In two weeks, I myself will not be encouraged if there are two more or one more containers left at the port.

“In fact, and this one you can take it from me. If by two weeks we still have containers at the port, you will not see me, I will be sitting rather at the port. I will sit at the port with them until everything comes out,” he assured.