The Minority in Parliament has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Akufo-Addo government to clear the remaining containers of essential medical commodities stuck at the Tema port.
The Ministry of Health has so far received only 14 out of the 182 containers, which contain crucial medications for antiretroviral, Tuberculosis (TB), and malaria treatments donated by the Global Fund. These drugs have been held at the port for nearly a year due to the government’s inability to settle third-party fees.
Addressing journalists in Accra on Wednesday, June 12, the Ranking Member on the Health Committee of Parliament, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, criticized the government’s delay, calling it an unprecedented act of irresponsibility.
“We are calling on the president and his Vice. Ghanaians are suffering, and these medications are running out of stock. The Ghana Medical Association has indicated that soon we will run out of most of these medications”, Mintah Akandoh stated.
He urged the president to uphold the right to healthcare as enshrined in the 1992 constitution and to prevent further disgrace to the nation.
“Therefore, Mr. President, at least the right to health care is enshrined in the 1992 constitution and you should not continue to disgrace Ghana like you continue to do. So, we expect that within the next 24 hours, we must hear something positive with regard to the clearing of containers with the drugs at the port”, he emphasized.
