The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has handed over 14 out of the 182 containers of pharmaceutical products locked up at the Tema Port to the Ministry of Health (MoH).
The life-saving medications, including antimalarial and tuberculosis (TB) drugs, had been locked up at the Tema Port for nearly eight months, hampering the nation’s ability to combat pressing health challenges.
The handing over follows the resolution of challenges among the Ministries of Health and Finance, the GRA and other stakeholders relating to the clearance of health commodities at all points of entry.
While all the 182 containers had been cleared to leave the port, the 14 which contained essential Malaria and TB medications, were transported from the port last Friday. The Chief Director of MoH, Alhaji Hafis Adam, said the remaining 168 containers, holding only insecticide treated mosquito nets, would be lifted this week.
The cleared medical supplies are slated for transportation to Ghana Health Service (GHS) warehouses by April 19, this year. Beyond the resolution, a collaborative roadmap has been drawn to ensure that such delays in the clearance of health commodities do not recur.
Addressing stakeholders at a ceremony at the Tema Port Reefer Terminal last Friday to hand over the containers, the Deputy Commissioner of the Customs Division of GRA, Emmanuel Ohene, emphasised the critical role of the released drugs in healthcare.
“These drugs are vital for the survival of our fellow citizens and I am glad that they are now in the hands of those who will put it to very good use,” he said. He urged collaborative efforts among ministries and stakeholders to capitalise on new exemption laws to avoid port charges and penalties, thereby expediting the clearance process for essential goods.
The Director of the Revenue Policy Division of the Ministry of Finance, George Winful, said the government had earlier paid GH¢40 million for the medications, but third-party levy led to delay in the release of the containers.
He also acknowledged challenges in understanding exemption arrangements which led to delays. Mr Winful explained that the new exemption arrangement was not known by several health sector stakeholders, which added to the delay in clearing the items.
He said a committee made of representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the GRA, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and the MoH had been formed to address future delays.