Ghana is receiving support from Germany to conduct feasibility studies into the production of COVID-19 vaccines in the country, Christoph Retzlaff, the German ambassador has confirmed.
Already, some global German pharmaceutical firms have begun various projects with local firms towards realising the goal.
“Germany is supporting Ghana to do feasibility studies on vaccine production in Ghana. Leading Global German Pharmaceutical companies are also starting cooperation projects,” Retzlaff tweeted.
Africa currently imports 99% of all its vaccines and it is hoping to reduce imports to around 40% by 2040.
The continent is also hoping to seek guidance from countries like India and Brazil on how they developed their generic pharmaceutical industries.
Ghana eyes production of COVID-19 vaccines
Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, presidential advisor on health in February said government is looking at building local capacity for the manufacture of vaccines in the country following the outbreak of COVID-19.
“As the president has always been saying, we want to turn this crisis into an opportunity,” Dr Asare told host of The Asaase Breakfast Show Kojo Mensah on Monday 22 February.
“In fact, the president has formed a committee, which I happen to be a member, chaired by Prof Frimpong Boateng, that we have been charged to come out with the production of vaccines in this country for the sub-region.
“What we want to do is to position Ghana in such a way that we can be a manufacturer of vaccines not only COVID-19 but all other vaccines for the Africa region. This is what we are doing, we have started work and we believe that we will get there,” he stated.
Consulting Ghanaian scientists
Dr Asare said government is prepared to tap into the expertise of Ghanaian scientists across the globe to make the manufacturing of vaccines a reality.
“And then at least if for nothing at all we should be able to package, that’s the beginning of how to make vaccine like the Indians have been doing, why can’t we do it? We have the scientists all over, we will bring them back home to come and assist, with the knowledge they have acquired there,” the former Ghana Health Service boss remarked.
Click to watch excerpts of the interview
He is optimistic Ghana will soon be less dependent on other countries for vaccines with the manufacturing of locally made ones.
“There is a plan already, we have started working, we are going to work and come out to bring a good plan, that will be implemented. Who knew that in Ghana we will be making our own PPE; now we are manufacturing our own PPE which has been accepted by the Ghana Standards Authority and the Food and Drugs Authority.”
Fred Dzakpata
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