The Auditor-General of Ghana, has in its recent report revealed that the government spent a colossal amount of $81 million on COVID-19 vaccines but failed to have them delivered.

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The African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) received over $120 million in government funding, but only $38million of that was really delivered, according to the A-G.

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The Chief Director of the Health Ministry has been advised by the Auditor-General to renegotiate and pay the remaining balance.

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According to the A-G, this needs to be rectified with immediate effect in order to guarantee that the state gets its money back.

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“We noted that the Ministry of Health on behalf of the government of Ghana paid an amount of $120,192,379.80 to UNICEF/AVAT for the supply of vaccines.

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“However, 5,109,600.00 doses of vaccines valued at $38,322,000.00 were supplied to the National Cold Room leaving a difference of US$81,870,379.00 with UNICEF/ AVAT.

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“We recommend that the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health should renegotiate with UNICEF/AVAT recover the outstanding amount,” the report read.

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Again, the Auditor-General’s report discovered that only 25% (or $5.5) of the US$2.5 billion in funds raised for the fight against Covid-19 were allocated for health.

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The remaining funds, per the report, were used for government initiatives like LEAP and Free SHS, among others.

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