Ghanaian authorities have justified attempts to procure Sputnik V Vaccines at a unit cost of US$19 through intermediaries amid World Health Organization (WHO) warnings.
The government says the move 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.
The report has sparked widespread outrage among members of the public especially the opposition lawmakers.
But in a statement, 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.”
The ministry said government, however, has the option to pull out of the deal if supply condition is not delivered.
“This is yet to be delivered. This undertaking includes an option to opt out of any obligations if supply conditions are not met.”
Read the full statement from the Ministry
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH with additional files from Asaaseradio.com
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