By Samira Larbie
Accra, Nov 23, GNA – The European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) have launched a EUR 33 million project aimed at strengthening pharmaceutical manufacturing in Ghana.
The project, titled “Strengthening the Ghanaian Pharmaceutical Sector with a Focus on Vaccine Production (PharmaVax Ghana),” is designed to enhance Ghana’s pharmaceutical ecosystem by boosting local manufacturing capabilities and improving health security.
Irchad Razaaly, the EU Ambassador to Ghana, highlighted during the inaugural Steering Committee meeting in Accra that the EUR 33 million investment reflects the EU’s commitment to establishing Ghana as a regional hub for vaccine and pharmaceutical production.
He pointed out that Ghana currently depends heavily on imports for its pharmaceutical needs, with 70 percent of its medicines and all vaccines coming from abroad.
“Recognising the critical importance of access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, PharmaVax Ghana will help to reduce this dependency by fostering domestic pharmaceutical production capabilities,” he said.
The four-year project, which will be implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, will focus on improving the governance and regulation of pharmaceutical production.
It will enhance the skills of the pharmaceutical workforce, promote applied research and development, and support private sector development to increase manufacturers’ production capacity and market access.
Mr. Razaaly explained that the support demonstrated a shared commitment to strengthening health systems, boosting local capacities, and promoting global equity in medicines and vaccines.
He noted that the effort builds on previous investments, such as a €3 million project aimed at enhancing the regulatory capacity of Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority to oversee vaccine manufacturing.
Mr. Razaaly emphasized the project’s importance as part of the ongoing partnership between Team Europe and Ghana.
Reflecting on past collaboration, he recalled how, four years ago, during the peak of the global pandemic, the European Union played a crucial role in providing Ghana with its first 600,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses via the COVAX facility.
“Importing vaccines is good but producing them is even better! That is why Team Europe has launched the MAV+ initiative in Africa to promote local manufacturing of vaccines and pharmaceuticals. PharmaVax embodies this ambition in Ghana,” he stated.
Ms. Franziska Jebens, Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy, lauded Germany’s contribution of nearly €10 million towards the overall €33 million initiative aimed at enhancing vaccine, medicine, and health technology manufacturing and access in Africa.
She stated that Germany’s support reflected a broader commitment to fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth by promoting local manufacturing, research, and skills development.
Dr. Dirk Aßmann, Country Director of GIZ Ghana, emphasized that PharmaVax Ghana was a testament to the collective dedication to empowering local manufacturers, advancing research, and establishing rigorous regulatory standards, positioning Ghana as a leader in pharmaceutical production in Africa.
Ms. Wilhelmina Anguah, Schedule Officer for Germany, Europe, and the Americas Unit at the Ministry of Finance, noted that the project was timely and aligned with Ghana’s broader health and industrialization goals.
She added that the initiative’s objectives would contribute to building a more resilient healthcare system, reduce reliance on imports, and better equip the country to meet growing production demands.
GNA