By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Ghana’s drive toward health sovereignty has received a boost following renewed commitments from the United Kingdom to support local vaccine and pharmaceutical production. This came during a working visit by the UK Minister for Development, Baroness Louise Chapman, to the Tema General Hospital and Atlantic Life Sciences in Ningo-Prampram.
The Deputy Minister for Health, Prof. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, who hosted the delegation, said the government’s priority is to build self-sufficiency in essential medicines and vaccines to reduce dependence on imports. She underscored that vaccine production, technology transfer, and capacity building remain at the heart of Ghana’s health strategy.
“The Government of Ghana is determined to achieve medical sovereignty by producing essential vaccines and pharmaceuticals locally,” Prof. Ayensu-Danquah affirmed, noting that partnerships with the UK and the Global Fund are critical to reaching this goal.
Baroness Chapman commended Ghana’s progress in healthcare delivery and pledged the UK government’s continued support for local manufacturing initiatives, workforce development, and efforts toward WHO prequalification.
At Atlantic Life Sciences, the UK delegation witnessed ongoing investments in vaccine and pharmaceutical production aimed at positioning Ghana as a hub for health innovation in West Africa. The facility forms part of Ghana’s long-term plan to secure reliable access to life-saving medicines and strengthen resilience against future pandemics.
The visit reflects a deepening of Ghana–UK health cooperation, with both countries committing to joint action that not only strengthens Ghana’s health systems but also contributes to regional health security.
