Health Minister Bernard Okoe Boye led a delegation to South Africa on a key fact-finding mission aimed at enhancing vaccine production and accessibility throughout Africa.
According to IOL, this visit was orchestrated by the African Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative (AVMI) and sought to fortify collaboration between Ghana and South Africa to improve the continent’s healthcare infrastructure.
The Ghanaian delegation toured two prominent South African companies, Biovac and Afrigen Biologics & Vaccines, to examine their state-of-the-art facilities, including research and development labs, production lines, and quality control departments. Both companies are leaders in Africa’s vaccine development sector.
Dr. Okoe Boye reaffirmed Ghana’s dedication to the initiative, stating, “The Government of Ghana is fully committed to supporting the African manufacturing initiative and working with all stakeholders to build capacity across the continent.”
This visit follows a recent announcement by the European Union (EU) of a €32 million initiative aimed at enhancing vaccine production in Ghana, reflecting growing international support for Africa’s vaccine manufacturing capabilities.
Professor William Ampofo, Executive Director of AVMI and CEO of Ghana’s National Vaccine Institute, emphasized the significance of the visit. He highlighted the necessity of strengthening public-private partnerships within the vaccine industry, stating, “This visit is crucial for enhancing collaboration between our two countries, focusing on knowledge exchange, capacity building, and advancing public health and biotechnological innovation.”
The delegation from Ghana included 11 members representing various sectors, such as the ministries of health and finance, the Food and Drugs Authority, vaccine production companies, and research institutes.
AVMI, which represents over 18 vaccine manufacturers across Africa and is supported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, continues to play a pivotal role in advocating for the continent’s vaccine production advancements.
