The Minority in Parliament has demanded that the Akufo-Addo administration clear the remaining containers of vital medical supplies currently held at the Tema port within 24 hours.

Following public backlash two months ago, the Ministry of Health managed to retrieve only 14 out of 182 containers at the port. These containers allegedly hold essential antiretroviral, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria treatments donated by the Global Fund. 

The drugs had been stuck at the port for nearly a year due to the government’s failure to pay third-party fees.

Addressing the media in Accra on Wednesday, June 12, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Ranking Member on the Health Committee of Parliament, criticised the government’s inaction as grossly irresponsible.

The delay in clearing the remaining containers, Mr Akandoh insisted, shows an unprecedented level of irresponsibility. 

He asserted that Ghanaians are suffering, and stocks of these critical medications are running low. 

The Ghana Medical Association, he noted, has warned that Ghaba will soon face shortages of many of these essential drugs.

Mr Akandoh emphasised the constitutional right to healthcare and urged the president and vice president to act swiftly.

"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 demanded.