Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Health Committee, claims the government is making up unsubstantiated arguments in order to purchase several doses of the Sputnik V vaccine at a higher price.
He claims there is no reason why Ghana should pay $19 per dosage for a vaccination that costs $10 on the international market.
“We must do the right thing so that we do not create a terrible scenario in order to milk the system. What’s stopping Ghana from contracting directly with the manufacturer, joining the AU, or even adopting the COVAX vehicle?” he wondered.
Ghana has requested 3.4 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine from two businessmen who are selling it to Ghana for $19 per dosage instead of the $10 per dosage on the worldwide market, according to Verdens Gang, a Norwegian weekly newspaper.
Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, the Chairman of Parliament’s Health Committee, has said that the study should be ignored since it is “much ado over nothing.”
According to him, the epidemic has created a critical scenario that necessitates Ghana obtaining the vaccine even if the price is higher than the market price.
“We have not been swindled as a State…
Yes, the manufacturing price is US$10, but after it leaves the plant, there are a number of elements to consider, such as profit, commission, and freight to Ghana. So don’t expect a vaccination that costs $10 at the manufacturing to cost the same in Ghana, particularly when a middleman is involved,” he said.
However, Mr. Akandoh, who is also a Member of Parliament for the Juaboso Constituency, told Eyewitness News that the government is attempting to create a dire scenario in order to purchase the pricey vaccine.
“They take advantage of the COVID-19 by claiming that we are in a difficult condition and that we need it, so we will buy it even if it is exorbitant… He said, “I believe the ministry or the Minister must come clean.”
Mr. Akandoh believes that a comprehensive investigation and action are required.
“What the newspaper is stating is that the vaccine’s maker claims that the Sputnik V vaccination should not be sold for more than $10 anywhere in the globe, and that anybody who buys it for more than $10 is buying something suspect. We need a thorough investigation into this problem, and we will not throw it under the rug,” he promised.
Source: CITINEWSROOM
