The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry has launched the Cabinet-approved Ghana Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Policy, a strategic initiative aimed at boosting local medicine production, creating skilled jobs and positioning Ghana as West Africa’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturing hub.
Speaking at the launch in Accra on Wednesday, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said the policy was designed to address the country’s heavy reliance on imported medicines, which currently account for about 70 percent of national pharmaceutical consumption.
She noted that the policy seeks to increase the local market share of domestically manufactured medicines from 30 percent to 60 percent, serving as a major step towards President John Dramani Mahama’s broader target of achieving 70 percent pharmaceutical self-sufficiency.
“Medicines are not ordinary goods. A country that cannot produce its own essential medicines leaves its health, economy, and sovereignty vulnerable,” the Minister stated.
According to her, the policy establishes a coordinated framework that aligns investment, regulation, public procurement, skills development and regional trade opportunities in support of Ghanaian pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare outlined six key pillars underpinning the policy.
The first pillar focuses on enhancing quality and global standards by supporting local pharmaceutical companies to attain World Health Organization Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification and prequalification.
The second pillar aims to guarantee market access through public procurement systems and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which will prioritize the purchase of quality locally manufactured medicines.
Under the third pillar, government will work with the Development Bank Ghana, Ghana EXIM Bank and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) to provide affordable long-term financing and patient capital for industry players.
The fourth pillar seeks to move the industry up the value chain by expanding local production beyond packaging into the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), excipients and vaccines.
The fifth pillar focuses on strengthening research and human capital development by bridging the gap between academia and industry while preparing clinical pharmacists for manufacturing roles.
The final pillar promotes regional trade expansion, leveraging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and ECOWAS frameworks to increase pharmaceutical exports and broaden market access.
The launch brought together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including representatives of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), National Vaccine Institute, Development Bank Ghana, GIZ, the World Health Organization and the European Union.
Government officials described the policy as a major step towards strengthening Ghana’s pharmaceutical industry, improving medicine security and creating a globally competitive manufacturing sector capable of serving both domestic and regional markets.