Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo (M) with officials
Policy Advisor at the Office of the Vice President, Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo says the government will soon implement a transformative agenda to modernise and expand the country’s manufacturing base, especially within the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
Speaking at the African Healthcare Manufacturing Trade Exhibition and Conference (AHMTEC 2025) in Accra, Dr. Ampofo stated that the initiative is designed to reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported medicines by strengthening local pharmaceutical production.
He said, “The government is committed to an ambitious and transformative agenda to modernise our manufacturing base, especially in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.”
Dr. Ampofo revealed that Ghana is positioning itself to become a leading hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa.
He also indicated that as part of the strategy, the government plans to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the pharmaceutical space with tax incentives and improved access to financing.
“These measures are intended to enhance local production capacity and shift Ghana’s role from being primarily a consumer to becoming a major producer in the pharmaceutical landscape,” he stated.
Citing some statistics, Dr. Ampofo emphasised that African manufacturers currently supply less than 30% of the medicines consumed across the continent, describing the situation as both unsustainable and unjust.
He noted, “Africa’s health security, and indeed its economic resilience, cannot continue to rely on external goodwill. This heavy dependence poses a significant threat and must be urgently addressed,”
He, therefore, called on stakeholders in the healthcare and manufacturing sectors to collaborate in reversing the continent’s overreliance on imported pharmaceuticals.
AHMTEC 2025, jointly organised by the Federation of African Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (FAPMA) and Vizuri Health Dynamics, brought together over 200 delegates, including pharmaceutical manufacturers from Ghana and across the globe, to discuss pertinent issues in the healthcare manufacturing sector.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah