Paul Owusu Donkor and Vice President Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has concluded its 2026 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Accra, climaxing its 90th Anniversary celebrations on the theme, “Science. Impact. Legacy. 90 Years of Pharmaceutical Excellence.”
The conference brought together pharmacists from all areas of practice, government, regulators, academia, industry, development partners, students and other stakeholders to reflect on nine decades of organised pharmacy practice and define responsibilities for the decade ahead.
At the opening ceremony, the Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, recognised the expanding role of pharmacists beyond dispensing into patient care, disease prevention, regulation, public health, research and industry.
She called for stronger contributions to prevention, early detection and management of chronic and non-communicable diseases and stressed that regulation must keep pace with artificial intelligence, digital prescribing and changing medicine supply chains.
In a communique issued at the close of the meeting and signed by President, Paul Owusu Donkor, PhD and Executive Secretary, Rev. Dr. Dennis Sena Awitty, the Society outlined key positions and calls to action.
On medicines security and local manufacturing, the AGM described local pharmaceutical production as a national health-security imperative and economic opportunity.
It commended the government’s five-year plan to increase domestic medicine production from about 30% to 70% and called for urgent implementation through procurement, financing, regulation, research and workforce development.
On regulation, the Society committed to advancing the Accra Declaration on Pharmaceutical Standards as a framework for strengthening practice.
It said the Declaration places patient protection above all other considerations, calling for quality-assured medicines, legitimate pharmacy practice, competent professionals, evidence-based advice, protection of patient data and consistent standards across physical, digital and cross-border services, including online pharmacies, telepharmacy and AI.
The PSGH also commended the government for recognising pharmacies within the Free Primary Healthcare policy and called for accelerated integration of pharmacy-based primary healthcare. It said evidence from a pilot in northern Ghana has shown pharmacies as effective access points for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) services.
The Society described persistent unemployment of pharmacists, delays in housemanship and difficulties with financial clearance as a public-health threat.
It called on the Ministries of Health and Finance, the Pharmacy Council and training institutions to urgently address workforce planning, saying universal health coverage cannot be achieved without universal access to quality pharmaceutical care.
On illegal mining, the AGM expressed grave concern about destruction and contamination of rivers, forests and farmlands, noting that safe water is indispensable to human health and pharmaceutical manufacturing. It warned that Ghana cannot pursue pharmaceutical sovereignty while permitting degradation of water resources.
On drug trafficking, the PSGH expressed deep concern about major international drug seizures involving consignments linked to Ghana, saying this risks damaging the country’s reputation in trade and diplomacy.
It welcomed the government’s move to establish an inter-agency task force and called for stronger surveillance at ports and borders and decisive prosecution of trafficking networks.
As part of the anniversary, the Society marked World Pharmacists Day and held the second edition of the PSGH Pharma Excellence Awards.
The communique reaffirmed the Society’s pledge to place patient well-being and safety above all else, in line with its motto “Friends of the Human Race.”
A Daily Guide Report