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Sputnik vaccines deal shrouded with secrecy and lack of clarity— Kweku Baako

Sputnik vaccines deal shrouded with secrecy and lack of clarity— Kweku Baako

The Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, Kweku Baako Jnr has called on the government to come clear about its decision to procure a coronavirus vaccine brand called Sputnik vaccines.

According to him, the Sputnik vaccine deals undertaken by the Health Ministry with middlemen are shrouded with secrecy, hence making it difficult for the citizenry to understand the action taken by the government in its quest to help Ghanaians attain better immune system.

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“There is lack of clarity and it means there isn’t much transparency and for that matter, it will be difficult to put things to the test of accountability.

Speaking in a media interview in Accra today, Mr Baako indicated that there were lots of confusion with the purchase of the vaccine and called on the government to become transparent with the citizenry.

“I am not convinced that as of now the approach we have taken is the right one. There is too much confusion, there is lack of clarity, there is controversy so it calls for us to reexamine what we are doing carefully,” he said.

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Mr Baako noted that information present to the public gave the impression that government was engaging with more than one source to procure the vaccines.

“What exactly are we dealing with? Which contract. I have been listening and searching and it appears we are dealing with multiple people.

It doesn’t appear we are dealing with just one group and that must be answered. Who are those we are dealing with? Apart from this Sheikh and partnership between S. L Global Limited and the Ministry of Health.

“When I listen carefully, it appears there are others. All those contracts and agreements must be made public for us to know exactly what we are interrogating and not to mix them up,” he added.

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He stated that the agreement between government and Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum was null and void until it received approval from Parliament.

Despite agreeing to the assertion that “dead citizens cannot help to grow the society,” he chastised the government for ignoring the procurement procedures and regulations just to prevent future deaths.

“It is true we are in an emergency situation of a sort, we want to save our people, we don’t want our people to die, we are seeking herd immunity, but that is no excuse to actually ignore procurement procedures and regulations or even the Public Financial Management Act. It is no excuse, the fact that we are in a hurry to rescue people.

“The procurement regulation has room for urgent procurement and things. I am not convinced at all at this stage that we have been provided convincing information to actually endorse what is before us. There is a need for more information to be provided,” he added

His take followed the Health Ministry’s defense which was earlier this week made to defend the deal it had with businessman Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum to purchase a dose of Sputnik vaccine at a cost of $19 which was earlier being purchased for $26.

According to the government, it sought a businessman rather than seeking to obtain the vaccines on a government-to-government basis because although it is cheaper, it is difficult to push through.

But the Ministry after backlash and condemnation from the Minority amended its decision and has decided to purchase Russia’s Sputnik V vaccines from supplier, S. L. Global Limited at $18.5 per dose.

Source: www.spotonnews.net

Joyceline Natally Cudjoe

An Entertainment Columnist, Content Writer, Blogger, Novelist, Poet, and a Publicist. For business or story tip off, contact me on +233 24 646 6866 or email: [email protected]
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