Ghana's Dr. Delese Mimi Darko has been elected as the inaugural Director-General of the African Medicines Agency (AMA).

The election took place during the 2nd Ordinary Session of the Conference of State Parties held in Kigali, Rwanda, from June 2 to 4, 2025 .

Dr. Darko, who has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana's Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) since 2017, emerged as the top candidate in a competitive selection process that attracted 149 applicants from across Africa.

Dr. Darko is expected to leverage her vast experience to steer the AMA towards achieving its mandate of ensuring the availability of quality medical products across Africa

The AMA, established under a treaty adopted by the African Union in 2019, aims to enhance the capacity of state parties and regional economic communities to regulate medical products, thereby improving access to quality, safe, and effective medicines across Africa. With its headquarters in Kigali, the agency is poised to play a pivotal role in harmonizing medical regulations and combating the proliferation of substandard and counterfeit medical products.

Dr. Darko's election has been met with widespread acclaim. Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, congratulated her on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "I congratulate Dr. Mimi Darko and Team Ghana for the incredibly successful campaign. President Mahama deserves full plaudits for his amazing support and leadership"

Dr. Darko is expected to leverage her vast experience to steer the AMA towards achieving its mandate of ensuring the availability of quality medical products across Africa.

Her appointment represents a significant step forward in the continent's efforts to bolster its healthcare systems and regulatory frameworks.