By Samiratu Larbie
Accra, Dec. 12, GNA – The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union, has launched the Vax and Pharm Ghana Project to strengthen vaccine and pharmaceutical production in the country.
The 24‑month project, supported with €1 million, seeks to improve equitable access to safe, effective, quality‑assured and affordable essential medicines and vaccines.
It aims to strengthen research and development, enhance technology transfer, support compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and promote an enabling environment for vaccine and drug production.
Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health, in a speech read on his behalf by the Chief Director of the Ministry, commended the WHO and EU for supporting efforts to advance local vaccine and pharmaceutical production.
He said Ghana had relied heavily on imports for decades, with about 70 per cent of medicines sourced externally, and noted that the country currently did not manufacture human vaccines, requiring all routine and emergency vaccines to be procured internationally.
The Minister said the COVID‑19 pandemic demonstrated that “health security could not be outsourced and access to life‑saving medicines cannot be left to chance or charity,” adding, “Therefore, we must build our own capacity.”
He said that although Ghana had expanded access to health services through the National Health Insurance Scheme, Universal Health Coverage could not be achieved without pharmaceutical security.
“Today we take a decisive step toward changing this reality. This project, undertaken with the World Health Organization and the European Union under the Team Europe initiative, is designed to transform Ghana’s pharmaceutical landscape.
“It aligns perfectly with our government’s priorities of operationalizing our commitment to universal health coverage, strengthening primary health care, creating sustainable employment for our youth, and driving universalization and advancing our vision of a self‑reliant Ghana,” he added.
Dr Fiona Braka, WHO Country Representative, said the project advanced Ghana’s 10‑year National Vaccine Manufacturing Roadmap, which sought to make the country self‑sufficient in vaccine production and build a competitive pharmaceutical industry for national and regional needs.
“Ghana has already taken a major step by achieving WHO Maturity Level 3 for its Food and Drugs Authority (FDA). This is a crucial milestone for scaling up production to international standards,” she said.
She reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Ghana to become a hub of pharmaceutical excellence and a model for Africa.
Mr. Rune Skinnebach, EU Ambassador to Ghana, in a speech read on his behalf, said the initiative aligned with the African Union’s objective to locally produce 60 per cent of its vaccines by 2040, reduce dependence on external sources and ensure access to essential health products for millions across
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey