The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has stated that the government is expediting the clearance of family planning commodities valued at about $500,000 that have been stuck at Tema Port since August 2024.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, April 13, 2026, he said he had no idea the containers had not been cleared, noting that this was the first time such a situation had occurred since he resumed office.
“You all know my position on those things, since I took office as minister responsible, you can find out, this is the first time you are hearing of a container being locked at the port, uncleared this was since 2024, but unfortunately, this beat my radial. I thought it has already been cleared. But the good news is that the action has been expedited on it for the clearing of it,” he stated.
He disclosed that, as a result of the delay, the officer in charge has been queried for refusing to report back to him after being faced with a hindrance in clearing the goods.
He added that he had already asked the officers to report to him whenever they are assigned responsibilities and encounter difficulties.
He said the ministry would do whatever it takes to clear the commodities and ensure that such a situation does not happen again in the future.
He further called for more donations, stating that the ministry will clear items on time once they are brought to Ghana.
“We want more donations and once they come and it comes to my attention we will clear them on time so any body at all listening to me if you want to bring us Ghana some items you just need to come and consult the ministry and you consign it to the ministry, once you consign it to the ministry and it comes we will clear it,” he said.
Source: Vanessa Elizabeth Nkum
