Six CSOs threaten mass protest over $40 million health commodities locked-up at Tema Port

Six major Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Ghana have threatened to stage a demonstration if the government fails to address concerns over $40 million worth of health commodities locked up at the Tema Port.

Addressing a press conference at its Secretariat in Accra on Monday, April 8, the leadership of the Coalition of CSO Networks in HIV, TB and Malaria expressed concern over the continued delays in clearing the medicines which have been stuck at the port since May last year.

The commodities comprise Antiretrovirals (ARV) for HIV treatment, TB and malaria medicines among others.

According to the CSOs, the situation has created severe shortages across health facilities putting lives at risk.

The Global Fund has supported Ghana's national response against HIV, TB and Malaria since 2002 to the tune of more than US$1.2 billion in funding provided in three-year grant cycles.

The last cycle GC6 from 2020-2023 was worth around US$250 million.

Between May and August 2023, as part of GC6 commitments, Global Fund shipped HIV, TB and malaria commodities worth approximately US$40 million into Ghana.

As per regular practice, Global Fund made US$400,000 available for procurement and supply management (PSM) costs, being 1% of the commodity value.

However, Ghana's government stated the US$400,000 would not be enough due to increases in port charges, and that clearance would require US$3.6 million covering taxes, levies and charges.

Global Fund, according to the CSOs, opposed paying these extra charges, citing their framework agreement with Ghana's health and finance ministries which exempts donated commodities from such taxes. This disagreement has led to the ongoing impasse.

Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin, Lead Convenor and President of the Ghana HIV and AIDS Network who addressed the presser said "The proposed date for the demonstration is Wednesday, April 17, 2024 and the convergence point is Obra Spot, Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange, at 7am."

He is demanding urgent action from the Presidency and Parliament to address the issue which also risks Ghana losing its entire Global Fund support.

Elsie Ayeh, President of the Network of Persons Living with HIV lamented that the leadership of the country do not care about HIV patients over the fact that it will demand huge sums of money before it will clear medicines donated by an organization outside the country.

Cecilia Lodonu-Senoo, a member of the Global Fund and Executive Director of Hope for Future Generations said "It's so disheartening to see that the government of Ghana has not been able to clear these health commodities for over a year now.”