The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has successfully released 14 containers of essential pharmaceutical products to the Ministry of Health.
These products are urgently needed in the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. The antiretroviral drugs for HIV patients were among the items that were stuck at the Tema port for almost a year due to outstanding third-party fees.
Global Fund had threatened to suspend the shipment of crucial medical supplies to Ghana due to delays in clearing previous donations at the Tema Port. However, the Deputy Commissioner of the Customs Division of GRA, Emmanuel Ohene, confirmed that the first batch of cleared drugs will now be distributed to various health centers across the country.
He emphasized the importance of these drugs for healthcare delivery and the survival of citizens.
Mr. Ohene urged ministries and stakeholders to collaborate with GRA to take advantage of the new exemption law to clear eligible goods and avoid charges and penalties at the port. He highlighted that although the drugs were eligible for exemption, outstanding liabilities and third-party clearance fees led to their delay in clearance.
On the part of the Ministry of Finance, Director of the Revenue and Policy Division, George Winful, mentioned that special provisions had been made to cover transnational taxes, but there was still an outstanding third-party levy. He acknowledged that a lack of understanding of the exemption arrangement by some health delivery chain players contributed to the delay in clearing the goods. To resolve the issue, the Ministry of Finance collaborated with the Ministry of Health, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, and GRA.
An inter-governmental committee has been established to address similar matters swiftly in the future.
The committee includes representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority, and GRA. The recently cleared drugs are expected to reach Ghana Health Service warehouses by April 19.
Despite this progress, there are still 185 containers waiting to be cleared at the Tema Port and Kotoka International Airport.
The government and relevant agencies are working to ensure timely clearance of these essential medical supplies to support healthcare delivery in the country.
