By: Ashiadey Dotse
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akando has warned that Africa cannot be fully independent in health while relying on other countries for medicines and vaccines.
“No continent can be sovereign while importing most of its medicines and nearly all vaccines,” he said.
Speaking at the World Health Expo (WHX) 2025, on Tuesday December 9, 2025, Minister Akando said Africa must build strong and self-reliant healthcare systems. He said the continent’s population, expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, is a major advantage.
He called for investments in local pharmaceutical production, medical device manufacturing, and harmonized regulations across Africa.
The Minister stressed that health sovereignty requires partnerships. He urged development partners to align with Africa’s priorities and support long-term collaboration.
He highlighted Ghana’s free primary healthcare program and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, which remove financial barriers and improve access to care, including early detection, disease prevention, and specialized treatment.
Akando said digital integration is key to Africa’s health transformation. Plans are underway for a centralized National Health Intelligence Database and interoperable digital platforms to improve efficiency and decision-making.
He said Africa’s hospitals will be digitally connected and AI-enabled. The continent will emerge as a global leader in vaccine production, research, and health governance.
Minister Akando urged unity, ambition, and shared responsibility to make Africa a co-architect of global health.
