![Ms. Essiam](https://i0.wp.com/thebftonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ms.-Essiam.jpg?resize=696%2C675&ssl=1)
![Ms. Essiam](https://i0.wp.com/thebftonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ms.-Essiam.jpg?resize=696%2C675&ssl=1)
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has committed to working efficiently and empathetically in fulfilling its mandate to mobilize revenue for the country.
GRA Acting Director-General, Ms. Julie Essiam, made this comment during a meeting to secure the release of critical medical supplies worth US$45 million purchased with Ghana’s Global Fund allocation.
Esiam meets with leaders of the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (CCM-Ghana) Country Coordination Mechanism to resolve impasse over $45 million worth of medicines held at the Global Fund did. port.
Earlier this year, news broke that medical supplies procured through the Global Fund were being held up at ports due to unpaid import duties. The impasse threatened to worsen existing shortages of essential goods such as antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and rapid diagnostic test kits (RDTs), which are essential in the fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) last month expressed serious concerns about the potential impact of the delay. PSGH Chairman Dr. Samuel Ko Donko said, “This impasse puts the health and well-being of many Ghanaians at risk as we fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.”
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Ms. Esiam convened a meeting with CCM-Ghana to find a quick solution.
“It is unfortunate that unpaid third-party customs fees have resulted in delinquencies and other penalties, even though exemptions were granted for the goods,” Essiam explained. “However, the GRA is fully aware of the importance of prioritizing medical sectors where lives are at risk, which is why we are intervening to ensure solutions are found quickly,” she continued.
The meeting delivered a positive outcome, with Ms Esiam pledging the GRA’s commitment to working collaboratively with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health to ensure a smooth and efficient release process. “We will ensure that appropriate processes are in place to ensure the prompt release of goods,” she asserted.
Mr. Essiam highlighted the GRA’s commitment to balancing its role in revenue collection with supporting corporate sustainability and public health efforts. “Consistent engagement with stakeholders across all sectors is a priority of mine,” she said. “GRA meets the needs of our clients not only with honesty and fairness, but also with empathy.”
The first batch of medicines is expected to leave ports this week to advance the country’s fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, following the intervention of the Esiam chief.
While the immediate crisis appears to have subsided, stakeholders acknowledge the need for long-term solutions. For example, PSGH is calling for a national dialogue on sustainable financing mechanisms to protect essential health programs.
Meanwhile, the Acting Chairman of CCM-Ghana, Mr. Ernest Amoabeng Olutsin, commended Mr. Esiam’s intervention in ensuring the prompt release of the goods. He thanked her for her solution-oriented approach and said his outfit looked forward to future collaboration with GRA.
The meeting was attended by GRA Director-General, Ms. Julie Esiam. Deputy Commissioner Emmanuel Ohene, Deputy Commissioner for Customs Operations; Kofi Baidoo, Chief Economic Officer, Ministry of Finance; Ernest Amoabeng Olutsin, Acting Chairman, CCM-Ghana; Mr. Samuel Hackman, Executive Director of CCM-Ghana, and Mr. Sydney Kweku Danso, Head of Oversight of the COVID-19 Response Mechanism.