The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu (MP), has reacted to issues surrounding the purchase and acquisition of the SPUTNIK V vaccine from Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum.
The Health Minister was reported to have taken a two-week leave. Sources at the presidency said the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare permitted him.
In a press statement signed by the Minister of Health, the Dormaa Central MP, said he observed the high level of National interest that has greeted the narrative about his role in the purchase and acquisition of the vaccines.
He noted that in his public life as Deputy Minister and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, he has been guided by the mandate to protect public purse at all times and as a Minister of Health to also safeguard Ghanaian lives especially during this pandemic.
Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu confirmed receipt of refund of Two Million Four Hundred and Seventy Dollars (US$ 2,470,000.00) back to the National Treasury by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum for unsupplied vaccines.
He assured the public that the Ministry of Health is working assiduously to access vaccines to enable vaccinations to be administered to the public.
Meanwhile there is pressure mounting on the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, to resign following revelations in the report of the Parliamentary Committee that probed the Sputnik V vaccine contract.
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I have observed the high level of National interest that has greeted the narrative about my role in the purchase and acquisition of the SPUTNIK V vaccine.
In all of my public life as Deputy Minister, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and now as Minister, I have been guided by the mandate to protect public purse at all times and as a Minister of Health to also safeguard Ghanaian lives especially during this pandemic.
Whilst the circumstances surrounding this matter is well known, I am happy to confirm, that pursuant to our mandate to protect the National purse, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum has indeed refunded the sum of Two Million Four Hundred and Seventy Dollars (US$ 2,470,000.00) back to the National Treasury.
The money is now available to the Ministry of Health for the purpose of purchasing much needed vaccines to meet the President’s target of 20 million vaccinations by the end of this year.
I would like to assure the general public that the Ministry of Health is working assiduously to access vaccines to enable vaccinations to be administered to the public. That is the surest way to win the battle against Covid 19.
I wish to thank all Ghanaians for your support in this matter and to assure you that together we will defeat the virus of COVID 19.
May God bless us all.
Kwaku Agyeman-Manu (MP)
Minister for Health
