Government has called on private sector actors, investors and development partners to inject significant capital and expertise into the country’s pharmaceutical manufacturing and health technology ecosystem, as part of a broader strategy to transform healthcare delivery, strengthen health security and position Ghana as a leading hub for medical innovation in West Africa.
The appeal was made by the Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, on behalf of Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, at the opening of the 5th West Africa Pharma and Healthcare Expo and Healthcare Conference held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
Held under the theme “Advancing Healthcare, Connecting Africa,” the conference brought together policymakers, regulators, pharmaceutical manufacturers, investors, researchers, development partners and industry leaders to deliberate on the future of Africa’s healthcare systems and the role of innovation and investment in driving sustainable transformation.
Regulatory bodies represented included the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Pharmacy Council, Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSG), Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC), Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA), National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and other key professional councils across the health sector.
Ghana’s health transformation agenda
Dr. Taher said Ghana is pursuing a bold and structured health sector transformation anchored on universal health coverage, economic resilience and strategic industrialisation of healthcare services.
He cited government interventions such as the expansion of the Free Primary Healthcare Initiative and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as “Mahama Cares,” as part of efforts to eliminate financial barriers to healthcare access.
“Access to healthcare must be a right, not a privilege,” he stressed, adding that government remains committed to ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare regardless of income level.
Ghana open for health investment
Beyond access, Dr. Taher said the next phase of Ghana’s health strategy focuses on industrial capacity, innovation and investment attraction in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical technology.
He declared Ghana as an “investment-ready destination” for global and regional players in the health value chain.
“Ghana is open for business in the health sector,” he said, urging investment in pharmaceutical manufacturing, vaccine and biotechnology production, hospital infrastructure, diagnostics, medical devices and digital health systems.
According to him, global supply chain disruptions have exposed the risks of overdependence on imported medicines and vaccines, making local production a matter of both economic necessity and health security.
He stressed that Africa must transition from being a net importer to a producer and exporter of pharmaceuticals and medical technologies.
Regional health leadership vision
Dr. Taher noted that Ghana’s stable governance, ongoing regulatory reforms and access to a regional market of over 400 million people position it to lead West Africa’s healthcare industrialisation agenda.
“We are not only thinking about Ghana. We are thinking about West Africa. We are thinking about Africa,” he said.
He highlighted the private sector as a key driver of innovation, investment and efficiency, urging investors to explore opportunities in biotech, diagnostics, medical devices, digital health and healthcare infrastructure.
The conference also emphasised the growing role of artificial intelligence, data-driven systems and digital health platforms in transforming healthcare delivery across Africa.
Call for stronger health systems
Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Caroline Reindorf Amissah, called for stronger and more resilient health systems capable of responding to evolving disease patterns and population needs.
She noted that despite progress in healthcare access and immunisation, Africa continues to face challenges including rising non-communicable diseases, weak supply chains and increasing healthcare costs.
She stressed that primary healthcare, particularly through the CHPS system, remains the backbone of Ghana’s health delivery structure.
Dr. Amissah further called for increased investment in infrastructure, laboratories, digital health systems and workforce development, adding that sustainable outcomes depend on systems and skilled personnel, not facilities alone.
She also urged stronger regional collaboration to address cross-border health threats such as disease outbreaks and antimicrobial resistance.
AI and innovation in healthcare
Speaking at the event, Dr. Benjamin Kwei Mensah of the Health Community of West Africa Association said artificial intelligence-powered systems are being deployed in more than 300 health facilities in Ghana to improve diagnostics, decision-making and disease surveillance.
He also announced support for Ghana’s National HPV programme through rapid testing kits aimed at improving early detection of cervical cancer.
Dr. Mensah stressed the importance of preventive healthcare and urged increased investment in screening and early detection programmes.
Consensus for transformation
The conference ended with a strong consensus among stakeholders on the need for deeper collaboration between government, private sector, academia and development partners to accelerate healthcare transformation.
Participants agreed that Africa’s future healthcare system must be driven by innovation, local manufacturing, regional cooperation and sustained investment in health technology industries.
