55 CSOs call on gov’t to clear essential family planning medical products stuck at the Tema Port

By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH

A coalition of 55 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working in reproductive health in Ghana, is urgently calling on the government and the Ministry of Health to clear essential Family Planning (FP) commodities, and other medical products, stuck at the Tema Port for well over seven (7) months.

According to the group, immediate clearance of those locked-up products is critical to prevent a shortage of the commodities which could significantly increase the rate of unintended pregnancies, leading to unsafe abortions and maternal mortality.

The call by the 55 CSOs was contained in a statement issued in Accra on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

“The FP commodities valued at $1,610,563 donated to Ghana by the West Africa Health Organization (WAHO) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), among other medical products, have not been cleared from the port since February 2024.

The delay in clearance, caused by unpaid duties and subsequent demurrage fees, has led to critical shortages of key contraceptive supplies at the central and regional medical stores and health facilities across the country.” Portions of the statement read.

Below is the full statement from the 55 CSOs

For Immediate Release

Urgent Call to Clear Family Planning Commodities Stuck at Tema Port for more than Seven Months

Accra, Ghana—23rd October 2024: A coalition of 55 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working in reproductive health in Ghana, is urgently calling on the government to clear essential Family Planning (FP) commodities, and other medical products, stuck at the Tema Port for over seven (7) months. This action is critical to prevent a shortage of these commodities which could significantly increase the rate of unintended pregnancies, leading to unsafe abortions and maternal mortality.

The FP commodities valued at $1,610,563 donated to Ghana by the West Africa Health Organization (WAHO) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), among other medical products, have not been cleared from the port since February 2024. According to the Coalition, the delay in clearance, caused by unpaid duties and subsequent demurrage fees, has led to critical shortages of key contraceptive supplies at the central and regional medical stores and health facilities across the country.

The stockout of these essential supplies has a significant impact on national efforts to improve the health outcomes of Ghanaians, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancies and undermining efforts to improve maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes in Ghana. The Coalition, using MSI’s impact calculator, states that these FP commodities, when used by women, are estimated to avert 2,514 child deaths, 255 maternal deaths, 62,728 unsafe abortions, and 199,182 unintended pregnancies and save the government of Ghana more than two hundred million Ghana cedis in direct healthcare costs.

Ghana recently launched the Ghana Family Planning Costed Implementation Plan (GFPCIP), reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring that by 2030, all persons of reproductive age have equitable and timely access to quality FP information, commodities, and services in line with global FP2030 goals. However, delays in clearing essential FP commodities, leading to stockouts, cast doubt on this pledge, the African Union Agenda 2063, and the larger Sustainable Development Goals. The government’s inconsistent management of donated supplies not only undermines Ghana’s commitment to these national and global goals, but also risks damaging its international reputation and future partnerships.

Call to Action

● The Coalition is asking the government to immediately clear the FP commodities by paying the duties and accrued demurrage.

● The Coalition is urging the government to take decisive and proactive measures to prevent any future occurrence of similar delays and potential loss of donated commodities.

● The Coalition demands that a quality control assessment of the commodities be conducted once they are cleared from the port. This assessment is crucial to ensure that the use of these commodities is not detrimental to users’ health.

In conclusion, the Coalition is asking the government to prioritize the improvement of health outcomes for Ghanaians, particularly in the area of reproductive health. The Coalition is committed to working with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that the country meets its FP commitments.

For media inquiries, please contact:

● Esi Asare Prah, Advocacy Manager, MSI Ghana on 0541230140 /esi.prah@mariestopes.org.gh

● Doris Ampong, Communications Manager, ARHR on 0242259638/ d.ampong@arhr.org.gh

● Patricia Ampomah, FP2030 Youth Focal Point on 057 272 3921

-ENDORSED BY-

1. Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights (ARHR)
2. Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG)
3. MSI Reproductive Choices Ghana
4. African Institute for Population and Development
5. Savana Signatures
6. Muslim Family Counselling Services (MFCS)⁠
7. Rights and Responsibilities Initiative (RRIG)
8. Hope for Future Generations (HFFG)
9. NORSAAC
10. DKT International
11. Ghana CSOs Platform on the SDGs
12. Total Family Health Organisation
13. Dynamic Works Foundation
14. Send Ghana
15. Hope for Future Generations
16. Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC)
17. Young and Lonely Foundation
18. Centre for Community Studies, Action and Development
19. Curious Minds, Ghana
20. Ghana NCD Alliance (GhNCDA)
21. Vision for Alternative Development (VALD)
22. World Vision, Ghana
23. Roots Link Africa
24. ClikGold Association, Ghana
25. Network For Health And Relief Foundation
26. Real Opportunity Network
27. Mission of Grace Ministries
28. Youth Advocacy on Rights and Opportunities
29. Bimobas Literacy and Farmers Co-operatives Association
30. Integrated Rural Development Centre
31. Ghana Developing Communities Association
32. Divine Group International
33. MindFreedom Ghana
34. Youth Harvest Foundation, Ghana
35. Concern Health Education
36. Adolescents Youth and Health International
37. Mental Health Hub Ghana
38. The Young Women’s Christian Association of Ghana (YWCA)
39. Fortitude Child Support Foundation
40. Reprocan Ghana
41. Human Rights Reporters Ghana
42. HealthKeepers Network
43. Community Focus Foundation Ghana
44. Pure Trust Social Investment Foundation
45. Basic Needs- Ghana
46. Youth in Action in Development
47. Youth without Borders Ghana
48. Window of Hope
49. Resource Link Foundation
50. Centre for the Development of People
51. Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana
52. Young Women Christian Association
53. TeensNet Ghana
54. Act for Change
55. The Young Men’s Christian Association of Ghana (YMCA)

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