$500k family planning supplies stuck at Tema Port trigger shortage fears

Civil society organizations (CSOs) have urged the government to take swift action to release a shipment of essential family planning supplies currently held at the Tema Port, cautioning that further delays could lead to a nationwide shortage of contraceptives.

The consignment, valued at around $500,000, was purchased by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the Ministry of Health but has remained uncleared since August 2024.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, April 8, Henrietta Kaakyire Ataah, Advocacy and Youth Coordinator at Marie Stopes International, warned that the delay is already affecting contraceptive availability across the country. She noted that medical stores at both national and regional levels are running low, putting women and girls at greater risk.

The shipment includes vital reproductive health supplies such as pills, implants, injectables, and condoms, which are crucial for preventing unintended pregnancies and reducing unsafe abortions.

Ataah emphasized: “Over $500,000 worth of family planning commodities have been stuck at Tema Port since August 2024. These life-saving supplies are essential for women and girls of reproductive age. The delay is restricting access to reproductive choices and increasing the risk of teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and unsafe abortions.”

She called on the government, particularly the Ministries of Health and Finance, to urgently intervene and ensure the release of the shipment to prevent a potential public health crisis. “We are urging the government to expedite the clearance of these commodities without delay,” she added.