Delayed medication clearance: Global Fund threatens termination of support to Ghana

The Global Fund has issued a warning to Ghana demanding immediate clearance of tuberculosis (TB) and malaria medications that arrived in the country in October 2023.

It has threatened termination of support to the country if clearance is not made for the medications.

According to Global Fund, despite the government’s assurances, a portion of the shipments remain stuck at the port, which could expire.

In April this year, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) announced it had secured the tax waivers to enable it to clear the drugs after months of delay.

However, demurrages and third-party charges totalling seven million cedis must be paid.

Due to this debt, more than 118 containers are stuck at the port.

Samuel Hackman, the Global Fund Coordinating Mechanism Secretariat, stated that it not only affects the $45 million worth of commodities but also strains Ghana’s relationship with the Global Fund.

“It is as bad as it was two months ago because the issue has not been fully resolved. This issue we are referring to is part of the $45 million commodities that were procured by the Global Fund under the GC Six Ghana, and part of it has still been held at the port. It’s very worrying. And it’s also denting the relationship that we have with the Global Fund as a country.”

“They have stated categorically to us that they would have done that earlier, but for the long-standing relationship they would want to hold on and see the promises that we have put on the table and whether we will be able to fulfil them or not, and it is within a specified time that we need to do that or count ourselves out.

The Global Fund needs to explain this to its donors and the management of the fund need to explain this to their boss. And so nobody wants to find himself doing this kind of communication which does not bring anything, so I can assure you that if these commodities are not taken out of the port in time and in time means now, then communication will be received from the Global Fund.”

Meanwhile, hospitals across the country are facing critical shortages of essential drugs, particularly TB medications, due to the backlog at the port.