The Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu has revealed that government has partnered with some German Scientists in the country’s quest to establish a vaccine manufacturing plant.

At a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, the Minister noted that the scientists, together with some selected companies, will embark a research to achieve the objective.

“We are getting closer. We are partnering with some German Scientists. They visited once and as I speak, they are currently in town having some discussions with the Vaccine Committee,” he told the press.

Mr. Agyeman-Manu commended the Vaccine Development Committee for working earnestly to ensure that the Akufo-Addo government's commitment succeeds.

According to him, the Committee has worked so hard, including finalising a bill that will soon be presented before Parliament for the establishment of the National Vaccine Institute.

“They have started putting up a building for the Vaccine Institute that will do a lot of research and development. And they have selected companies that will join the Germans to do what we call the Finish and Fill properly in the country.

We are getting very close, but I can’t give an exact deadline,” he assured.

President Akufo-Addo, in his 26th update on Sunday, July 25, 2021, announced that government has committed $25 million for the establishment of a National Vaccine Institute to spearhead the manufacture of vaccines to meet national and regional needs.

He said the Institute will be charged with delivering six clear mandates; establishing local vaccine manufacturing plants, deepening Research and Development (R&D) for vaccines in Ghana and upgrading and strengthening the FDA.

Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng was subsequently appointed as the Committee’s Chairperson. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng disclosed that the target is to establish the plant in 2022.