The AstraZeneca Africa Director, Barbara Nel, has disclosed that a total of 1.6 billion fully funded COVID-19 vaccines would be made available for COVAX dependent countries later this year through to 2022. She mentioned that countries that have successfully vaccinated the vast majority of their populace and still have excess vaccines are donating them for countries that are struggling to effectively vaccinate their people. Speaking in an exclusive interview on Citi TV’s Point of View, the AstraZeneca Africa Director explained that the challenge with AstraZeneca’s distribution of adequate vaccines to African countries was as a result of the deadly second wave that hit India, and subsequently led to a ban in the exportation of AstraZeneca vaccines by the Serum Institute of India, which is one of the world’s leading COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer. Barbara Nel, who did not give a definite time frame for the distribution of the said 1.6 billion doses, however, explained that her company, AstraZeneca, is working closely with COVAX and various governments to ensure the vaccines are rolled out later this year and by 2022. “There has been a significant breakthrough that has happened in the last couple of weeks through a Japan summit … where countries that have an excess of vaccines are essentially donating.” “And what we currently know within the COVAX facility there is commitment around 1.6 billion fully funded doses in 2021, and into 2022. So we continue to work very closely as AstraZeneca through COVAX with both governments that should be receiving vaccines such as what we have here in Ghana as well as governments that can be donating to ensure that the vaccines are flowing.” She said. Barbara Nel also added that as and when the COVID-19 situation in India improves, Africa and other COVAX countries will “see the vaccines flowing in the right quantities.”

The Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has justified the procurement of West African Senior High School Examination, WASSCE, past questions at the cost of GHS 33.6 million.

According to him, the supply of the questions is an essential part of the government’s effort to enhance the preparation of students ahead of the WASSCE.

The government procured some past questions for final year SHS students who sat for the last examinations.

Those who criticised the move were of the view that government was bent on ensuring a good pass mark for the first batch of Free Senior High School graduates just to score political points despite the challenges the policy is going through.

However, Dr. Adutwum in a Citi News interview after answering questions on the floor of Parliament from Bulisa South MP, Dr. Clement Apaak on the matter, justified the expenditure.

He said it was an important support to the students especially those in deprived communities.

“For students in deprived schools, giving them access to previous examination questions and not just questions but questions and answers and the examiner’s report was important to them. Last year, what the Ministry of Education procured for the students was a great contributiont.”

‘I’ve no regret for using oil revenue to fund free SHS’ – Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo has said the investment being made in Ghana’s children is vital for the future of the country.

According to him, the development of the country’s human capital is what will enable Ghana transition from its current state into one of progress and prosperity, and thereby lift the standard of living of every Ghanaian.