The European Union (EU) has unveiled a €32 million initiative designed to improve vaccine production in Ghana. This announcement was made at the Ghana-EU Business Forum in Accra.
The initiative, called the Special Measure on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines, and Health Technologies in Africa (MAV+), aims to enhance Ghana’s healthcare system by increasing access to high-quality health products, with a particular focus on vaccines.
Ghana’s objectives for development
Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission, highlighted the EU’s dedication to supporting Ghana’s development objectives. She pointed out that the initiative is anticipated to not only enhance the nation’s healthcare system but also drive economic growth.
Ferran elaborated, “This initiative will help Ghana build a strong ecosystem by developing a skilled workforce, advancing research and development, creating a robust regulatory framework, enabling technology transfer, and promoting both bilateral and multilateral partnerships in vaccine and pharmaceutical production.”
Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, Ghana’s presidential advisor on health, emphasized the government’s partnership with the EU to achieve President Nana Akufo-Addo’s goal of establishing Ghana as a regional vaccine manufacturing hub.
He noted, “Since 2022, the EU has been actively involved in supporting vaccine production in Ghana across both public and private sectors. This essential initiative is designed to ensure that vaccines produced in Ghana adhere to quality standards required for regional and global markets.”
Additionally, in collaboration with the German Development Cooperation, the EU has launched a €3.1 million project to boost the capabilities of Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
This funding aims to enhance the FDA’s regulatory and oversight functions, ensuring that all pharmaceuticals produced in Ghana meet rigorous safety and efficacy standards.
The grant will support the FDA in strengthening its quality control processes, ensuring that vaccines and other medicines comply with international standards.
Vaccine Importation
At present, Africa imports 99 percent of its vaccines, with many nations depending heavily on donations, and Ghana is no different. Professor William Ampofo, CEO of the National Vaccine Institute, is hopeful that the global initiative will foster a supportive environment for domestic vaccine production.
He remarked, “Ghana has been investing heavily in vaccines. Producing them locally will not only lower costs but also generate employment and boost economic growth. Strengthening public-private partnerships is crucial to advancing the pharmaceutical sector.”
National Vaccine Institute
In 2023, the Ghanaian government founded the National Vaccine Institute with a €25 million fund. The institute’s goal is to optimize vaccine production and boost the ability of local pharmaceutical companies to manufacture, package, and distribute mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, Malaria, and Tuberculosis.
This initiative was driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccine shortages faced in 2020.
Additionally, the EU has granted €5 million through the European Investment Bank to DEK Vaccines Limited, aiding in the development of a fill-and-finish vaccine manufacturing facility in Ghana.
