Oko Boye Says He’ll Picket at Tema Port if Donated Medicines aren’t Cleared in 2 Weeks
The Minister for Health, Bernard Oko Boye says he will move his office from Accra to the Tema Port if the Finance Minister defaults in paying the amount needed to clear some pharmaceutical drugs donated to the country being held at the port.
The containers of antiretroviral, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria drugs donated by Global Fund to Ghana are still locked up at the Tema Port despite assurances of their clearance a few months ago.
The drugs have been at the port for over a year now since their arrival.
Reacting to the development which has once again gained public attention, the Minister for Health revealed he engaged Eva Esselba Mends, the Chief Director at the Ministry of Finance earlier this week.
He is not willing to admit any more excuses from the Ministry and will act to compel the relevant players to release the needed third-party charges.
Oko Boye wants the necessary formalities and payment done for the release of the drugs for Ghanaians before the end of June.
“It is unconscionable that drugs meant for our people stay at the port for a year. We could have done way better than that. I don’t take excuses. Monday God willing I will go and check with her {Eva Esselba Mends}. We have about two weeks to end June,” he stated in an interview on Metro TV.
He vowed to picket daily at the port in demand for the release of the containers.
“I’ve given myself and the state two weeks. The GRA woman {Julie Essiam} will not have peace in her office and Amin and Eva will not sit in the office.”
