Accra: Eight Ghanaian research and development projects have been granted £2 million to advance the local production of medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics under the Vax and Pharma-Ghana initiative. The projects, which involve Ghanaian research institutions and pharmaceutical companies, aim to bridge the gap between scientific research and commercial manufacturing, thereby bolstering health security and the industrialization of pharmaceuticals.
According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative, known as the PharmaVax Ghana Programme, represents a concerted effort to transition scientific discoveries from laboratories to large-scale production facilities. Minister of Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, emphasized that recent global health challenges have underscored the importance of local pharmaceutical production for national health security. He stressed that health sovereignty is achieved through strategic partnerships that enhance national capabilities, rather than isolation.
Mr. Akandoh called on awardees to ensure their research efforts extend beyond academic publications to create products that meet regulatory standards and improve public health outcomes. The grants were awarded at the 'Research Meets Manufacturing' ceremony in Accra, co-hosted by the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) and Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
The PharmaVax Ghana Programme is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU). The eight selected projects were chosen from 43 proposals based on an independent evaluation by a nine-member Ghanaian expert committee. The assessment considered technical merit, public benefit, local manufacturer participation, and the sustainability of the research beyond the project period.
The projects will also benefit from technical assistance, networking opportunities, and knowledge exchange to strengthen research capacity and support commercialization. Frederik Landsh¶ft, Germany's Ambassador to Ghana, highlighted the projects' potential to link scientific excellence with the nation's burgeoning pharmaceutical industry, aiming for products that are developed, manufactured, and eventually exported within and beyond Ghana.
Additionally, Mr. Jonas Claes of the EU Delegation to Ghana underscored the significant responsibility accompanying the grants, as the outcomes could influence Ghana's manufacturing capabilities and the health of future generations. The EU and Ghana share a commitment to research-driven policymaking, crucial for the future of locally produced medicines and vaccines.
The selected projects encompass a range of initiatives, including optimizing herbal pain medicine, developing fast-dissolving malaria tablets for children, supporting local production of vaccines, and studying herbal treatments for liver disease. Other projects involve clinical trials for prostate-health products, stability studies for antiserums, and the use of artificial intelligence in designing monoclonal antibodies.
Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, CEO of the NVI, stated that Ghana has the scientific talent and infrastructure necessary to develop health solutions that address local priorities. By fostering collaboration between researchers and manufacturers, the foundation is set for creating medicines and vaccines that are 'developed in Ghana, manufactured in Ghana,' with potential benefits extending to the wider region.
The Ghanaian partners are contributing an additional £425,000 to the projects, bringing the total investment to £2.425 million. The PharmaVax Ghana Programme, implemented by GIZ, supports Ghana's pharmaceutical sector through various initiatives, including research and development, skills enhancement, regulatory strengthening, private-sector support, technology transfer, and investment promotion. This initiative is part of the Team Europe Initiative on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines, and Health Technologies in Africa (MAV+), aimed at enhancing sustainable pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing capacity across the continent.