- Global Fund threatens to cut ties with Ghana over delayed clearance of health commodities.
- Delay has lasted over a year, causing drug shortages at health facilities.
- Government's inability to pay levies on drugs is the main cause of delay.
- Global Fund warns of wasted resources if medications expire due to delay.
The Global Fund has expressed its disappointment and frustration with the delayed clearance of essential health commodities at Ghana’s port, which has been ongoing for over a year. The fund threatened to sever ties with Ghana if the situation is not resolved urgently, during the recent World Health Summit in Geneva.
The Ghanaian delegation, including the Minister of Health, Director General of the Ghana Health Service, CEO of the NHIA, and members of the Country Coordinating Mechanism, were warned that the fund may reevaluate its relationship with the country.
The delay in clearing the medications, worth $40 million, is attributed to the government’s inability to cover ECOWAS and African Union levies on the drugs. The commodities, aimed at supporting HIV and Aids, TB, and Malaria programs, have been at the port since May last year, causing concern among civil society organizations and stakeholders.
The country is already experiencing shortages of TB and HIV drugs at health facilities, and the situation may worsen if the challenges in clearing donor commodities persist. According to Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin, interim Chairman of the Country Coordinating Mechanisms, the Global Fund is worried and has threatened to take drastic action.
Ortsin explained that the situation is unprecedented in the history of the Global Fund and may lead to the expiration of medications, which would be a waste of resources. Despite government claims that the containers have been cleared, the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism disputes this, citing outstanding third-party charges.
Presidential Advisor on Health Dr. Anthony Nsiah Asare has reassured of the government’s commitment to clear the commodities, but no timeline has been provided, leaving the situation uncertain.
