A Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in reproductive health has urged government to clear medical products, including Family Planning (FP) commodities, stuck at the Tema Port since February 2024.
The FP commodities valued at $1,610,563 was donated to Ghana by the West Africa Health Organization (WAHO) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The 55-member coalition said a delay in clearance, caused by unpaid duties and subsequent demurrage fees, had led to critical shortages of key contraceptive supplies at the central and regional medical stores and health facilities across the country.
The release made available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said a shortage of the commodities could significantly increase the rate of unintended pregnancies, leading to unsafe abortions and maternal mortality.
It said the stockout of those essential supplies had 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.
A Marie Stopes International impact calculator, shows 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.
The statement said delays in clearing essential FP commodities, leading to stockouts, cast doubt on the governments pledge on FP, 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.
