- "The president should know that we are very angry with what the health minister has done, he has not shown prudence at all and has also shown no sensitivity to how Ghanaians react to issues of money."
Martin Kpebu, a private legal practitioner has called for the dismissal of the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu over the controversial deal surrounding the Sputnik-V vaccines.
Kpebu’s assertion follows a publication by a Norwegian news tabloid (Verdens Gang) alleging that Ghana has begun the process to purchase 3.4 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine at an overpriced cost of $19 per dose through intermediaries instead of the stipulated $10 per dose on the international market.
Kpedu said Agyeman-Manu failed to do due diligence before agreeing to purchase the vaccines at that price for which purpose the president must relieve him of his duties.
“He should know that Ghanaians are very vigilant; so this one, I think the health minister has been too sloppy and the least the president can do is to sack him. The president should know that we are very angry with what the health minister has done, he has not shown prudence at all and has also shown no sensitivity to how Ghanaians react to issues of money,” Kpebu told Accra-based Citi News.
Not a rip off
The Ministry of Health has stated that attempts by government to secure Sputnik V Vaccines at a unit cost of US$19 is not a rip off as being suggested in some quarters.
The explanation follows a Norwegian newspaper (VG) report suggesting that Ghana is buying Sputnik V Vaccines from Russia twice the price.
A statement issued and signed by Kwabena Boadu Oku-Afari, chief director of the Health Ministry, said the US$10 a dose is rather the ex-factory price, which is only obtained from Government-to-Government arrangement.
“The initial price quoted was US$25, but this was negotiated downwards to US$19. This is the result of the cost build up to the ex-factory price of US$10 per dose, taking into account transportation, shipment, insurance, handling and special storage charges, as explained by the seller. These are the factors which led us to agree the final price of US$19 per dose,” the statement said.
It added: “The unit price was negotiated at a meeting held at MoH, with representatives from MoH and Office of Dalmook Al Maktoum, who had travelled to Accra for the purpose. The MoH, after ascertaining the type and nature of the vaccine, through the delivery of 15,000 doses, placed an order for the supply of 300,000 doses of the vaccine at a cost of US$5,700,000.”
Minority’s position on the vaccine purchase
Meanwhile, the minority in Parliament has called on government to cancel the Sputnik V vaccine deal involving middlemen.
Speaking on behalf of the minority, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, a ranking member on the parliamentary select committee on health said government must make conscious effort at employing the right channels to secure the vaccines.
“The minority in Parliament will urge the government to reconsider both terms of this contract with particular emphasis on price and work assiduously through proper diplomatic and approved channels to secure COVID-19 vaccines for Ghanaians,” he said.
Elliot Nuertey
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