Ghana has announced a $50 million investment to accelerate vaccine research, production, and workforce development, a move President John Dramani Mahama described as a bold step toward health sovereignty and economic transformation.

Speaking at the Ghana Vaccine Manufacturing Investment Forum in Accra, Mahama said the initiative is about more than public health. “This is about job creation, technology transfer, dignity, and self-reliance,” he declared. “Ghana is ready for business, ready for partners, and ready for co-creators.”

The funds will serve as seed capital for the National Vaccine Institute (NVI), which will oversee the construction of modern biomanufacturing facilities and ensure compliance with global regulatory standards. It will also support the Biomanufacturing Training Consortium, designed to equip Ghanaian scientists, engineers, and technicians with skills to run advanced pharmaceutical operations.

In a significant policy shift, Mahama directed government agencies to prioritise locally produced pharmaceuticals in procurement within two months. This measure is expected to boost demand for domestic firms such as Atlantic Lifesciences and DEK Vaccines. To strengthen financing, the government unveiled de-risking guarantees, while Afreximbank pledged new funding and launched the African Life Sciences Foundation Fund to support Africa-focused medical research.

Ghana also plans to participate in the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism (APPM), enabling local producers to access regional markets and potentially making the country a net vaccine exporter.

The announcement follows the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit, where the SUSTAIN Initiative was launched to push for stronger, locally led health systems. More than 200 delegates, including officials from the World Health Organisation, Africa CDC, CEPI, global health investors, and pharmaceutical companies, attended the Accra forum.

Observers say Ghana’s strategy—blending infrastructure investment, human capital development, and enabling policies—could serve as a model for other African nations seeking to reduce dependence on imports and localise pharmaceutical production.

“With this announcement, Ghana is signalling that it will not just be a consumer in the global health value chain, but a producer and partner,” noted one development finance expert at the event.

 

Article by Jed Mwangi

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