Government is likely to run out of resources in its COVID-19 Trust Funds sooner than later if it does not receive any further donations from the private sector and other volunteers to help combat the deadly coronavirus as the country experiences its third wave of infections.
Data from the Finance Ministry show that as at July 2021, a total of GH¢101.58 million has been mobilized into the COVID-19 Trust Funds which comprises the COVID-19 National Trust Fund and the Private Enterprise Fund.
Of this amount, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, revealed that the government has disbursed GHȼ 96.09 million, representing 94.6% of total funds mobilized since the establishment of the Funds in March last year. This means that the government has only GHȼ5.49 million in the COVID-19 Trust Funds, raising concerns about the sustainability of the Fund.
COVID-19 National Trust Fund
A breakdown shows that as of June 30, 2021, the COVID-19 National Trust Fund, set up under Act 1013 to receive and manage contributions and donations from well-meaning individuals, groups and corporate bodies, had received a total amount of GHȼ57.15 million in cash donations.
Of these amount, the Fund disbursed, for various programs as well as procurement of items, an amount of GH¢52,50 million representing 91.9% of the cash contributions received. This suggests that all things being equal, the National Trust Fund currently has GHȼ4.65 million in its coffers.
These contributions, according to Mr. Ofori-Atta, have been helpful in extending support to most vulnerable persons afflicted or impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as supporting frontline workers leading the effort against the pandemic in Ghana.
Also, since its inception, the Fund has received various in-kind donations for distribution to relevant institutions and facilities. These include personal protective equipment (PPE) and laboratory supplies, fuel coupons, mechanical and solar hand washing basins as well as food items.
Despite the limited resources, Mr. Ofori-Atta assured that going forward, the Trust Fund will continue to provide assistance to health institutions in the different Regions, with regards to supplies of PPEs and related items, and support research undertaken by Ghanaian experts in the medical and public health sector.
“The Trust Fund will continue to identify and fund tangible programs for vulnerable groups and persons impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and consider ways to actively promote the vaccination program”.
Ken Ofori-Atta
Private Enterprise Fund
On the flip side of the coin, the Ghana COVID-19 Private Sector Fund, a private sector-led mechanism to mobilize resources to complement efforts of the Government in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, has so far received both cash and in-kind contributions.
As at December 31, 2020, the Fund received total cash and in-kind donations amounting to GH¢44.05 million and GH¢3.32 million respectively. However, additional GH¢381, 956.00 cash donations have been received as at July 2021, increasing cash donations to GH¢44.43 million.
To date, the Private Sector Fund has disbursed an amount of GH¢43.59 million representing 98.1% of the cash contributions received as at June 30, 2021.
Highlighting the significance of the Private Sector Fund, Mr. Ofori-Atta noted that the resources mobilized have played critical roles in the fight against the pandemic.
“…The dynamism and responsiveness of the private sector in this pandemic has also been felt through the completion and commissioning of the 100-Bed Infectious Disease Centre in the Ga East Municipality in July 2020. Work is currently ongoing to construct another 100-Bed Infectious Disease Centre in Kumasi”.
Ken Ofori-Atta
To sustain the Trust Funds, more voluntary donations will be needed to enable government to be able to implement its targeted projects aimed at battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
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