ACCRA: A coalition of 55 civil society organizations (CSOs) has called on the government to urgently expedite the clearance of essential Family Planning (FP) commodities and other medical products currently stalled at the Tema Port. The CSOs emphasized the critical nature of this action to prevent a shortage that could result in a rise in unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and increased maternal mortality rates. According to Ghana News Agency, the FP commodities, valued at $1,610,563, were donated to Ghana by the West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). These vital supplies have been languishing at the port since February 2024, causing unpaid duties and demurrage fees, as well as critical shortages in key contraceptive supplies at central and regional medical stores and health facilities nationwide. The coalition highlighted the significant impact of these shortages on national health initiatives, warning that the absence of these supplies could derail ef forts to improve maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes in Ghana. They noted that if utilized, the FP commodities could prevent an estimated 2,514 child deaths, 255 maternal deaths, 62,778 unsafe abortions, and 199,182 unintended pregnancies, potentially saving the Government of Ghana over 200,000 Ghana cedis in direct healthcare costs. The CSOs also referenced Ghana's recent launch of the Ghana Family Planning Costed Implementation Plan (GFPCIP), which underscores the government's commitment to ensuring equitable and timely access to FP information and services by 2030, in alignment with global FP2030 goals. However, they cautioned that the current delays cast doubt on this pledge, as well as on the African Union Agenda 2063 and the broader Sustainable Development Goals. The coalition criticized the government's inconsistent handling of donated supplies, arguing that it undermines Ghana's commitments to both national and global health objectives, while potentially harming its international standing a nd future partnerships. They urged the government to promptly settle the necessary duties and demurrage fees to ensure timely distribution of the commodities to the intended recipients. Additionally, the CSOs called for the implementation of proactive measures to prevent future delays and the potential loss of vital donated supplies. They also advocated for a thorough quality control assessment of the cleared FP supplies to ensure their safety and integrity. The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the government and other stakeholders to prioritize the improvement of health outcomes for Ghanaians, with a particular focus on reproductive health.