“Mobilizing Sustainable Financing to Accelerate Vaccine Development and Manufacturing in Ghana” was the theme of the Ghana Vaccine Manufacturing Investment Forum, which was organized by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC).
A diverse range of government representatives, development partners, pharmaceutical companies, research institutes, and domestic and foreign financial institutions convened at the event to discuss ways to finance Ghana’s aspirations for vaccine production.
President John Dramani Mahama, the Special Guest of Honor, promised government assistance to boost domestic vaccine production in Ghana in order to establish the nation as a regional center.
He stated that the National Vaccine Institute would get an extra GHC 50 million in seed cash, increasing the total amount of government financing to GHC 75 million.
He stated that the goal of this investment is to use Ghana’s advancements in health legislation, research, and domestic pharmaceutical manufacture while addressing issues in vaccine manufacturing, including access to funding.
The government’s backing of vaccine production, the president continued, is in line with international initiatives to fortify health systems and advance sustainable development.
In his keynote speech, Ghana’s health minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, underlined the country’s resolve to transition from reliance to independence in vaccine manufacturing and access.
“Ghana will not beg for vaccines. Ghana will make them,” he declared.
The Minister described the pressing need for $115 million in funding to help Atlantic Lifesciences Ltd. and DEK Vaccines Ltd., two significant indigenous producers, attain operational scale.
Additionally, he mentioned that noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, KCCR, and CSIR are among the scientific organizations in Ghana that are already working on vaccine candidates and need funding to continue their work.
The Ministry reiterated its dedication to collaborating closely with regional and global partners in order to fulfill Ghana’s goal of pandemic preparedness and vaccine self-sufficiency.
“The next pandemic will not wait. But neither will Ghana. We are ready to manufacture, ready to regulate, and ready to lead,” the Minister concluded.
Breakout sessions at the event were designed to secure collaborations and boost investor confidence.
Important investment incentives like assured national demand, access to regional markets, robust political backing, and tax advantages were also underlined.
Source: newsthemegh.com