Attorney-General Godfred Dame says some clauses in the Health Ministry's $64 million contract with Dubai-based businessman Sheik Al-Mahktoum to supply Sputnik V vaccines to Ghana are in breach of FDA regulations, as well as biased and skewed against the state.
In a letter dated April 12, 2021, to the Minister for Health Kwaku Agyemang Manu, the Attorney-General urged the ministry to buy vaccines directly from Russia because other countries are doing that.
The agreement says the Ministry of Health shall not withhold payment for any supply doses of the vaccines over alleged defects unless written notice has been given to the seller.
The Attorney-General observes this clause is biased against Ghana. The agreement says the Ministry shall not initiate undertake any batch recall without the prior consultation with and written documentation with the seller.
The AG said the clause places Ghana at the mercy of the seller because the seller would have to agree before the buyer can initiate or undertake such a contract.
The AG observed that the distributor in the agreement indicates that it is not an agent in the manufacture and therefore would not be liable for any losses under this agreement.
The AG suggested that it would be more prudent for the Ministry to engage directly with manufacturers who can be held liable in case of adverse effect for the procurement of the next badge.
Well, even before the Ministry sent the agreement to the Attorney General for advice, it had already signed the contract.
The contract was, however, terminated by Sheik Al-Mahktoum on 14th July 2021, a day before the Parliamentary Committee investigating the deal began its public probe.
The nine-member parliamentary committee probing the contract is expected to submit its report later this week.
Member of Parliament’s Health Committee, Charles Agbeve says with the revelations that have emerged so far, the Health Minister has no business holding onto his position.
“The probe is fantastic, it’s bringing out the real issues and he’s also being honest about the facts I expect the Minister to jump, he shouldn’t be pushed. You don’t say these in certain countries and go scot-free,” he said.
Latest Stories
-
George Twum-Barimah-Adu pledges inclusive cabinet with Minority and Majority leaders
35 mins -
Labourer jailed 5 years for inflicting cutlass wounds on businessman
36 mins -
Parliament urged to fast-track passage of Road Traffic Amendment Bill
37 mins -
Mr Daniel Kofi Asante aka Electrician
37 mins -
Minerals Commission, Solidaridad unveils forum to tackle child labour in mining sector
42 mins -
Election 2024: Engagement with security services productive – NDC
44 mins -
Retain NPP for the good of Ghana – Rebecca Akufo-Addo
44 mins -
‘Let’s work together to improve sanitation, promote health outcome’ – Sector Minister urges
45 mins -
Ellembelle MP cuts sod for six-unit classroom block at Nkroful Agric SHS
48 mins -
‘I’ll beat the hell out of you if you misbehave on December 7’ – Achiase Commanding Officer
51 mins -
AFPNC leads the charge on World Prematurity Day 2024
57 mins -
Court remands unemployed man over theft of ECG property
1 hour -
Election security rests solely with the police – Central Regional Police Command
1 hour -
NCCE engages political youth activists at Kumbungu on tolerance
1 hour -
‘In Mahama’s era students lacked chalk, but are now receiving tablets’ – Bawumia
1 hour