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Els MBN360 News
Ghana’s Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has emphasized that Africa cannot be considered sovereign as long as it relies heavily on imports for medicines and vaccines. Speaking at the World Health Expo (WHX) Leaders Summit 2025, Akandoh stressed that Africa must invest in local production to achieve health security and self-reliance.
Akandoh’s call is echoed by other African leaders, who are pushing for increased local manufacturing of medicines and vaccines. Currently, Africa produces less than 1% of the vaccines it consumes, leaving the continent vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and global inequities.
To address this challenge, the African Union and Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have established the Partnership for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) and the African Medicines Agency (AMA). These initiatives aim to promote local production, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and enhance health security.
Several African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, are already taking steps to boost local manufacturing. Ghana has launched local vaccine production, while Kenya has prioritized local production to lower costs and enhance access to essential medicines.
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.
