Ghana to benefit from World Bank emergency vaccine financing
Adnan Adams Mohammed
About 21 countries in Africa, including Ghana, are to
benefit from a US$12 billion World Bank’s emergency coronavirus vaccine
financing support project.
The board of the bank has given authorization of up to $12
billion to support countries in their vaccination efforts, which has paved way
for individual vaccination programmes through the Board. Other countries
include; Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Niger, Mozambique, Tunisia,
Eswatini and Cabo Verde.
The funds are available now, and for most African countries,
the financing would be on grant or highly concessional terms, adding, IFC is
working to mobilize financing for vaccine production and therapeutics focused
on developing countries.
“In implementing our vaccines programmes, we’re working
directly with governments, including to finance their purchases from vaccine
manufacturers and via COVAX. For deployment efforts, we’re working with
partners such as the WHO and UNICEF”, World Bank Group President David Malpass
disclosed at the Virtual Meeting on the
Africa COVID-19 Vaccine Financing and Deployment Strategy.
“I urge you to focus and prioritize efforts toward these
funding programs, and not slow the momentum through complex contracts and
intermediaries. Our financing is
available today and vaccine manufacturers are eager to work with countries on
delivery dates and direct contracts”, he further said.
He mentioned that “our Country Directors and Country
Managers have been in contact with all of you.
We would encourage those countries that have not yet requested World
Bank support to send a letter to their World Bank Country Director asking for
support for vaccine procurement and deployment from the $12 billion facility.
We look forward to receiving these letters so that our teams can expeditiously
support you”.
“To conclude, we urge leaders of African countries to move
quickly to secure vaccinations for their populations, and to avail themselves
of the financing available from us and other partners to help with this. The
World Bank Group stands ready to work swiftly with our clients and partners to
respond to this pandemic”.
Reliable data has shown that, in every month, the delay of
vaccine costs the African continent $13.8 billion in Gross Domestic Product.
That’s in addition to the loss of lives and human capital.
“As President Ramaphosa emphasized, vaccinations are a huge
undertaking for every country”, David Malpass said.
The World Bank is assisting with many aspects including
facilitating the procurement of vaccines.
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