The Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union in Ghana (EU), has officially launched the Vax & Pharm Ghana Project titled “Strengthening Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals Production in Ghana.”

This initiative supports Ghana’s 10-year National Vaccine Manufacturing Roadmap and aligns with the African Union’s vision for the continent to produce 60% of its vaccines locally by 2040.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Health, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Desmond Boateng, highlighted that Ghana currently imports over 70% of its medicines and 99% of its vaccines, underscoring the urgency of strengthening local production.

“Health security cannot be outsourced. Access to essential medicines and vaccines must not depend on global supply chains or the goodwill of others. Today, Ghana takes a decisive step toward building our own capacity,” he stated.

The WHO Country Representative for Ghana, Dr. Fiona Braka, described the launch as a “defining moment” for both Ghana and the African region, noting that Africa currently produces only 0.1% of its vaccine needs despite accounting for 25% of global demand.

She reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to providing technical support, technology transfer, regulatory capacity-building, and global best practices to ensure Ghana’s locally produced vaccines meet international standards.

Representing the European Union in Ghana, Mr. Timothy Nolan reiterated the EU’s strong partnership with Ghana and highlighted Team Europe’s €2 billion investment commitment across Africa to support vaccine and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

He praised Ghana’s leadership and expressed confidence in the country's potential to become a regional pharmaceutical hub.

The Ministry of Health also acknowledged key partners, including the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), the National Vaccine Institute, and the private sector, for their critical roles in advancing this national priority.

The launch event brought together officials from the Ministry of Health, representatives from the European Union and WHO, officials from the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Directors General, Chief Executive Officers, and key development partners.