The European Union (EU) has awarded €32 million to Ghana to bolster its vaccine manufacturing and pharmaceutical industry under the Special Measure on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines, and Health Technologies in Africa (MAV+) programme. This funding aims to develop a comprehensive ecosystem for training skilled workers, enhancing research and development, and strengthening regulatory frameworks in Ghana.
The initiative will support the Ghanaian Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), facilitate technology transfer, and foster bilateral and multilateral partnerships for vaccine and pharmaceutical production. The agreement was formalized through a financing contract, marking the launch of the MAV+ programme's Ghana component. Overall, the MAV+ initiative, led by the EU Commission, includes €1.3 billion in grants and loans across more than 80 projects in Africa.
The announcement was made during the Ghana-EU Business Forum in Accra, where Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director-General of the European Union Commission, and Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, Presidential Advisor on Health, signed the agreement. The forum centered on "Fostering Investment in Non-Traditional Value Chains under the EU Global Gateway Strategy."
Ms Ferran underscored the agreement's significance in enhancing Ghana's healthcare sector and ensuring access to quality health products. She highlighted the EU’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s development goals through investments in local vaccine manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. "This programme will not only enhance Ghana’s healthcare sector but also contribute to the growth of the country’s economy," she stated.
Since 2022, the EU has been supporting Ghana's vaccine manufacturers in both public and private sectors. In collaboration with the German Development Cooperation, the EU initiated a €3.1 million project to enhance the FDA’s capacity. In 2023, the European Investment Bank provided a €5 million grant to DEK Vaccines Ltd for constructing a fill-and-finish vaccine manufacturing facility in Medie, Greater Accra Region.
EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, emphasized the strategic importance of the EU Global Gateway Strategy in fostering economic ties, innovation, and sustainable value chains between the EU and Ghana. "Our economic cooperation aims to support more value-added products exported from Ghana to the EU and globally, beyond traditional raw materials like gold, petroleum, or cocoa," he explained.
Dr Nsiah-Asare expressed gratitude for the EU's support, highlighting its role in advancing President Nana Akufo-Addo’s vision of making Ghana a regional vaccine manufacturing hub. "I extend my sincerest gratitude to the EU for their unwavering support and close collaboration, which has been instrumental in driving this vision forward," he said.
This collaboration marks a significant step towards strengthening Ghana's healthcare infrastructure and boosting its capacity to produce essential vaccines and pharmaceuticals locally.
Article by RB Reporter
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