CSOs urge gov’t to clear stranded family planning commodities at Tema port

A coalition of 55 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Ghana is calling on the government to urgently clear essential Family Planning (FP) commodities that have been stranded at the Tema Port for over seven months. The supplies, valued at $1.6 million, were donated by the West Africa Health Organization (WAHO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), but have been delayed due to unpaid duties and mounting demurrage fees.

The Coalition warns that this prolonged delay is contributing to a national shortage of contraceptives, which could result in a surge in unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal deaths.

They stress that clearing the FP commodities is crucial for addressing these public health risks.

According to the Coalition, if these commodities are promptly delivered, they could help prevent 62,728 unsafe abortions, avert 2,514 child deaths, and save 255 maternal lives.

Furthermore, the government could save over GHC 200 million in healthcare costs by resolving the issue without further delay.

Despite Ghana’s recent launch of the Family Planning Costed Implementation Plan (GFPCIP) aimed at improving reproductive health, the current stockout threatens the country’s progress towards its 2030 reproductive health goals.

The Coalition is urging the government not only to expedite the clearance of the supplies but also to implement measures to prevent similar delays in the future.

Below is the full statement:

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 /[email protected] Doris Ampong, Communications Manager, ARHR on 0242259638/ [email protected] Patricia Ampomah, FP2030 Youth Focal Point on 057 272 3921

-ENDORSED BY-Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights (ARHR) Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) MSI Reproductive Choices Ghana African Institute for Population and Development Savana Signatures Muslim Family Counselling Services (MFCS)⁠ Rights and Responsibilities Initiative (RRIG) Hope for Future Generations (HFFG) NORSAAC DKT International Ghana CSOs Platform on the SDGs Total Family Health Organisation Dynamic Works Foundation Send Ghana Hope for Future Generations Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) Young and Lonely Foundation Centre for Community Studies, Action and Development Curious Minds, Ghana Ghana NCD Alliance (GhNCDA) Vision for Alternative Development (VALD) World Vision, Ghana Roots Link Africa ClikGold Association, Ghana Network For Health And Relief Foundation Real Opportunity Network Mission of Grace Ministries Youth Advocacy on Rights and Opportunities Bimobas Literacy and Farmers Co-operatives Association Integrated Rural Development Centre Ghana Developing Communities Association Divine Group International MindFreedom Ghana Youth Harvest Foundation, Ghana Concern Health Education Adolescents Youth and Health International Mental Health Hub Ghana The Young Women’s Christian Association of Ghana (YWCA) Fortitude Child Support Foundation Reprocan Ghana Human Rights Reporters Ghana HealthKeepers Network Community Focus Foundation Ghana Pure Trust Social Investment Foundation Basic Needs- Ghana Youth in Action in Development Youth without Borders Ghana Window of Hope  Resource Link Foundation Centre for the Development of People Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana Young Women Christian Association TeensNet Ghana Act for Change The Young Men’s Christian Association of Ghana (YMCA)

Source:classfmonline.com