Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey unveils Ghana Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Policy

The Chief Executive of the National Vaccine Institute (NVI), Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, has officially launched the Ghana Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Policy (GPMP), declaring the start of a "golden era" for the nation's health sector. Speaking at the launch on October 28, 2026, Dr. Sodzi-Tettey outlined a strategic vision to transform Ghana into a continental hub for medicine and vaccine production. The policy is designed to systematically reduce the country's current 70% dependency on imported pharmaceutical products by empowering local manufacturers and enhancing domestic technical capabilities.

A central component of this industrial transformation is the establishment of a state-of-the-art mRNA laboratory at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. This facility makes Ghana one of only five countries on the African continent to possess such advanced technology. The laboratory, which is scheduled to be formally inaugurated by President John Mahama later this year, is expected to play a critical role in the local development and manufacturing of vaccines, significantly boosting Ghana's biopharmaceutical infrastructure.

The GPMP also addresses several systemic hurdles that have historically limited the growth of the local industry. Key initiatives within the policy include the provision of specialized financing for local manufacturers, the domestic production of essential raw materials, and comprehensive skills development programs for the workforce. Dr. Sodzi-Tettey highlighted recent milestones as proof of Ghana's potential, specifically mentioning the successful production of the country's first biological product, a Snake Venom Anti-Serum, as a precursor to more complex manufacturing goals.

By mobilizing funds for private manufacturers and creating a robust manufacturing ecosystem, the government aims to secure Ghana's health sovereignty while targeting market access across the wider African continent. The National Vaccine Institute maintains that these efforts will not only safeguard public health by ensuring a steady supply of essential medicines but also serve as a significant driver for economic growth and industrialization under the current administration.