The Ghana Vaccine Manufacturing Forum, scheduled for Tuesday, August 6, 2025, at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra, represents a pivotal moment in Ghana’s pursuit of vaccine self-sufficiency. Organized by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), the forum seeks to address the critical issue of sustainable financing for vaccine development and manufacturing within the country. The theme, “Mobilising Sustainable Financing to Accelerate Vaccine Development and Manufacturing in Ghana: The Role of Financing Institutions and Development Partners,” underscores the collaborative approach necessary to achieve this ambitious goal. The forum aims to bring together key stakeholders, including government representatives, financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, investors, research institutions, and international development partners, to forge a path towards a robust and sustainable vaccine manufacturing ecosystem in Ghana. The presence of President John Dramani Mahama as the Special Guest of Honour and the Minister for Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, as Guest of Honour highlights the government’s commitment to this critical initiative.
The impetus for this forum stems from the stark realization of the vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. While Ghana possesses a commendable foundation in health regulation, pharmaceutical research, and local drug production, the pandemic underscored the critical need for domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity. The forum aims to address the significant financial hurdle impeding the development of a comprehensive vaccine production value chain, estimated to require approximately US$2.5 billion. This substantial investment necessitates innovative financing models, including blended finance and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), which will be central to the discussions at the forum. The event will serve as a platform to explore and strategize on securing the necessary funding to propel Ghana towards vaccine independence, reducing its reliance on external sources and strengthening its health security.
International collaboration plays a crucial role in Ghana’s vaccine manufacturing aspirations. Partners like the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the World Bank have provided vital support in advancing this agenda. GIZ, through its PharmaVax Ghana programme, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union, is actively working with the NVI to bolster pharmaceutical self-sufficiency. This partnership exemplifies the importance of international cooperation in providing technical expertise, capacity building, and financial resources. The World Bank’s involvement further strengthens the financial and technical underpinnings of the initiative.
The forum also highlights the growing engagement of local manufacturers in the vaccine production landscape. Companies such as Atlantic Lifesciences Ltd and DEK Vaccines Ltd have entered into strategic Memoranda of Understanding with international partners for technology transfer, focusing on vaccine fill-and-finish operations. This crucial step allows local companies to leverage existing global expertise and technology, accelerating their integration into the global vaccine supply chain. The forum provides an opportunity to further explore and facilitate such partnerships, fostering a synergistic relationship between local and international players.
The Ghana Vaccine Manufacturing Forum has a multi-pronged agenda aimed at catalyzing concrete action. Firstly, it seeks to establish a platform for open dialogue and collaboration among public and private stakeholders, fostering a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities in vaccine manufacturing. Secondly, the forum will delve into financing and policy strategies to attract long-term investments, recognizing that sustainable funding is the cornerstone of a successful vaccine industry. Thirdly, it will address the importance of establishing robust regulatory mechanisms that support vaccine development while adhering to international standards of quality and safety. Finally, the forum aims to generate actionable proposals and partnerships that will drive Ghana’s vaccine self-reliance agenda forward, translating discussions into tangible outcomes.
To maximize participation and inclusivity, the forum will be conducted in a hybrid format, accommodating both in-person and virtual attendance. This approach ensures that stakeholders from across the globe can participate actively in the discussions and contribute to shaping Ghana’s vaccine manufacturing future. The forum is poised to be a significant milestone in Ghana’s journey towards vaccine self-sufficiency, laying the groundwork for a future where the country is capable of producing its own vaccines, enhancing its health security, and contributing to regional and global health resilience. The outcomes of the forum are expected to provide a roadmap for the necessary investments, partnerships, and policy frameworks required to transform Ghana’s vaccine manufacturing aspirations into a tangible reality.
