By: Savannah Pokuaah Duah 

Ghana’s Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has stated unequivocally that Ghana will not beg for vaccines but will instead take charge of its own vaccine production.

 While addressing the Ghana Vaccine Manufacturing Investment Forum, Mr Akandoh emphasized the need for Africa to transition from dependency to self-sufficiency in health security.

“Our position is straightforward. Ghana will not beg for vaccines. Ghana will make them,” he declared, highlighting a shift in mindset regarding health preparedness in the face of global crises. The minister pointed out that the old assumptions about automatic access to vaccines and fair global systems have been shattered by recent experiences, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Akandoh stated , “Sovereignty means nothing if our supply chains are dependent on the choices of others. If we are to protect our people, our institutions, and our future, then Africa must take its place not at the receiving end but at the manufacturing core of vaccines and essential medicines.”

He reflected on the stark reality faced during the pandemic when Africa, a continent of 1.4 billion people, received only 3% of global vaccines. “This lesson was branded into our memory during COVID,” he said, underscoring the urgent need for Africa to build its own capacity.

The minister highlighted the operational status of Ghana’s National Vaccine Institute, which is tasked with coordination, investment, mobilization, and regulatory strategy. He expressed confidence in local manufacturers, stating, “DEK Vaccine Limited and Atlantic Life Sciences stand ready to scale. Their facilities exist. Their teams are trained.”

However, Mr Akandoh stressed that these manufacturers require significant investment to reach operational scale. “They need three things: capital, capital, and capital. Above all, what they need is capital,” he reiterated. He revealed that approximately $140 million is needed for the two manufacturers to fully operationalize their production capabilities.

“Our scientific base is strong,” he added, pointing to institutions like Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSIR). “Our researchers are already developing candidate vaccines. The pipeline is there. What they need are the resources to take these candidate vaccines from the lab bench to commercial vials.”

Mr Mintah Akandoh warned that the cost of inaction would be detrimental, stating, “We continue to spend billions importing what we could produce, leading to job losses and skills unused.” He framed the call for investment as a business opportunity rather than a plea for aid. “This is a business case—a well-regulated, politically supported, regionally integrated vaccines ecosystem is emerging here,” he explained.

He urged investors and partners to join Ghana’s journey towards vaccine self-sufficiency, emphasizing the potential for strong returns through national immunization plans and regional demand across ECOWAS. “We are not pleading for aid. We are offering a partnership with skin in the game,” he asserted.

The forum marks a pivotal moment in Ghana’s health strategy as it seeks to establish itself as a leader in vaccine manufacturing within Africa.