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Abolish import tariffs onmedical supplies, PPE – Coalition of global think tanks
A coalition of 31 global think tanks has called for immediate abolishment of import tariffs that are applied by many countries on medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE).
According to them, these tariffs are driving up prices and reducing availability.
They also called on global leaders to avoid export bans, which are exacerbating global shortages of essential medical goods by disrupting global manufacturing supply chains.
These were in a statement issued by one of the think tanks, IMANI Africa, on behalf of the coalition in Accra ahead of World Health Assembly, to be attended virtually by member states of the World Health Organisation on May 17, 2020, in Geneva.
According to the think tanks, customs red tape should be reviewed to keep goods crossing borders as quickly as possible and commit to open trade to help tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
The statement noted that innovation was crucial to finding a long-term solution to a newly identified disease like COVID-19, including the invention of new therapeutics and vaccines and their mass manufacture and rapid distribution.
“The think tanks call on governments to support needed innovation by facilitating the cross-border flow of epidemiological and clinical data related to COVID-19. They should also avoid pre-emptively removing intellectual property rights from any new vaccines or treatments that emerge.
The world needs more companies to join the quest for new treatments and vaccines, not policies that send a strong signal to stay away. Intellectual property rights are vital to support coordinated mass manufacturing scale-up and global distribution,” it said.
Franklin Cudjoe, founding president of IMANI Africa, was quoted to have said that, “we are concerned that many countries are looking to the failed ideas of the past to address the crisis.
Barriers are being erected that are deepening shortages of medical supplies, undermining innovation and hampering efforts to beat the disease.
His view as stated by the statement was that the situation was compounded in relatively poor and poor countries, where patients are being failed by the lack of investment in domestic health care infrastructure.
“Now is not the time for countries to look inwards. The crisis will only be resolved, and economies will only recover, if countries are allowed to trade and collaborate freely with each other,” Mr Cudjoe concluded.
BY TIMES REPORTER
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President Mahama thanks Ghanaians for support after helicopter crash tragedy
President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and the government have expressed deep gratitude to Ghanaians and the international community for the support shown following the helicopter crash of August 6, which claimed eight lives, including two ministers of state.
In a message issued by the Presidency on Monday, the President said the nation was moved by the outpouring of condolences, solidarity, and practical assistance offered during the period of mourning.
He noted that the sympathy messages, attendance at the state funeral, and acts of kindness towards the bereaved families brought comfort in a difficult time.
The statement commended individuals, security personnel, and corporate organisations that worked to ensure that the victims were given what it described as a “dignified and befitting Ghanaian burial.”
“As we return to the duties of resetting Ghana and building the Ghana we want, let us remain united in prayer, comfort one another, and continue to support the families affected by this tragedy,” the statement said.
The President in the statement prayed for the souls of the departed to rest in eternal peace.
Following the conclusion of the state funeral and the burial of all eight victims, the Chief of Staff has directed that flags at public buildings, which had been flown at half-mast in mourning, be restored to full mast with immediate effect.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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President Mahama grants 998 prisoners amnesty
President John Dramani Mahama has granted amnesty to 998 prisoners serving various jail terms across prisons in the country.
The gesture is upon the recommendation of the Prisons Service Council and in consultation with the Council of State and in accordance with Article 72(1) of the Constitution.
A statement issued by the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, in Accra yesterday said the number is out of a total of 1,014 recommended.
Per the statement, 87 persons who were sentenced to death will now be commuted to life imprisonment whiles 51 prisoners who were on life sentence will now have to serve 20 years.
First time offenders to be granted pardon are 787, seriously ill, 33, over 70 years irrespective of offence 36, nursing mothers, 2 and petitions, 2.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
