According to the Auditor General’s report, a shipment of condoms and birth control shots disappeared while in transit from the Temporary Central Medical Stores in Tema to the Regional Medical Stores in the Eastern Region in August 2022.

The Ministry’s driver, Joe Gyaten, failed to deliver three million condoms and other contraceptives to the Regional Medical Stores in the Eastern Region, in August 2022.

During a recent Public Accounts Committee session, Director of Policy Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the Health Ministry, Dr Alberta Biritwum-Naryko revealed that despite the passage of two years, neither the vehicle nor the missing items have been recovered.

“The driver immediately after, had a stroke, was very ill but has also retired. I cannot recollect the reasons why he could not deliver the items but the matter was the items could not be found and he had not also paid as at that time.”

When asked about the whereabouts of the vehicle used for transporting the items, Dr. Biritwum-Naryko said that locating the vehicle would be challenging.

She admitted that while the exact location of the vehicle remains unknown, it is clear that the items did not reach the Eastern Regional Medical Stores.

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According to the report, the National Blood Service conducted procurement activities totalling over GH¢130,000 without adhering to proper procedures, including the failure to solicit alternative quotations.

James Klutse Avedzi, the Chairman of the Committee, announced this decision during the PAC session in Accra on Tuesday.

Avedzi emphasized the severity of the infractions, particularly highlighting the uncompetitive procurement practices observed within the blood service.

Speaking to the committee, he stated, “The next infraction is uncompetitive procurement. So there is a challenge at that office where we are doing restrictive tendering without seeking approval.

“If you want to do procurement, instead of looking for a minimum of three invoices or quotations, that one too, you fail to do and this one we don’t have any option than to refer you to the Attorney General for prosecution.”

He further clarified that the committee’s action aligns with its responsibility to hold accountable those who violate procurement laws.

Mr Avedzi stressed that the referral to the Attorney General reflects the seriousness of the breach and aims to ensure legal consequences for the National Blood Service.

“We are doing our part; you have breached the procurement law, so when you are prosecuted, the judges will take a decision on that,” Avedzi affirmed, underscoring the committee’s commitment to upholding accountability and transparency in public procurement processes.

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