Ghana To Become Pharmaceutical Hub

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has engaged pharmaceutical production companies in a strategic meeting aimed at strengthening the nation’s pharmaceutical industry and positioning Ghana as a hub for drug manufacturing in Africa.

The meeting, held on Monday, August 25, 2025, brought together key players in the local pharmaceutical sector to deliberate on ways to enhance production capacity, improve quality standards and expand access to essential medicines.

Hon. Akandoh reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting local producers with the right policies, infrastructure and incentives to scale up their operations.

He emphasised that building a vibrant pharmaceutical sector is crucial not only for Ghana’s health security but also for economic growth and regional competitiveness.

“Ghana is ready to lead Africa in pharmaceutical production. We have the expertise, the capacity and the political will to make this vision a reality,” the health minister noted.

The engagement forms part of Ghana’s broader industrialization agenda, which includes positioning the country as the pharmaceutical hub of Africa.

This initiative is expected to reduce dependence on imported drugs, create jobs and foster innovation in healthcare delivery.

Industry stakeholders welcomed the move, describing it as timely given the rising demand for affordable and high-quality medicines across the continent.

They expressed optimism that with the right level of government support, Ghana can achieve self-sufficiency in drug manufacturing and expand its footprint in regional markets.

The discussions also touched on strengthening regulatory frameworks, ensuring compliance with international standards and encouraging research and development to sustain the industry’s growth.

Reward

In another development, the Health Minister has announced a GHC 50,000 cash support package for Mrs. Naomi Oyo Ohene-Oti, a Ghanaian oncology nurse who recently won the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award.

Mrs. Ohene-Oti, who emerged winner of the prestigious international award for her outstanding contributions to cancer care, has presented her accolade to the Ministry of Health.

The Minister, on behalf of the government and people of Ghana, congratulated her for putting the country on the global map through dedication, compassion, and professional excellence.

Hon. Akandoh highlighted that Mrs. Ohene-Oti’s achievement is not just a personal triumph, but also a testament to the hard work of Ghanaian nurses who continue to serve in critical roles across the health system, especially in deprived areas.

He emphasized that nurses form the backbone of healthcare delivery, often serving communities where doctors may be absent, and government remains committed to supporting their welfare.

Outlining some recent interventions, the Minister disclosed that nursing training school fees have been cut by almost half compared to last year to ease the financial burden on students. He added that nursing trainee allowances are being paid, and government is in the process of converting some training institutions into degree-awarding facilities.

Turning to Mrs. Ohene-Oti, the Minister commended her for raising Ghana’s flag high and expressed confidence that her recognition will inspire other health professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, and nurses, to strive for excellence globally.

“Your achievement is Ghana’s achievement. Today, we are proud of you, and this support package is not just from me but from the Ministry of Health and the people of Ghana who stand behind you,” he said.

He further called on the public, regulators, unions, and health training institutions to collaborate closely with the government in shaping a stronger and more resilient health sector. “Wisdom is not in one person’s head. Together, we can make Ghana’s healthcare system one of the best on the continent,” he stressed.

The Minister has pledged to continue recognising and supporting health workers whose contributions advance healthcare delivery and promote Ghana on the world stage.