The Health Community of West Africa Association has taken a major step toward advancing regional healthcare collaboration following the signing of a landmark China–Ghana Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Ghana International Joint Research and Innovation Center for Health in Accra.
The high-level signing ceremony, held during the Liaoning–Ghana Economic and Trade Exchange Meeting at the GS Plaza Hotel in Accra, brought together government officials, healthcare leaders, investors, and institutional stakeholders from Ghana and China’s Liaoning Province.
The initiative forms part of the broader Health Silk Road cooperation framework aimed at strengthening China–Africa collaboration in healthcare innovation, medical research, technology exchange, and sustainable health development.
The MOU is being guided by the Health Industry Branch of the Liaoning Provincial Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT Liaoning), the Ghana Traditional Medicine Practice Council, and the Health Community of West Africa Association.
The project will be implemented by Shenyang Mongolian Medicine Jishi Health Management Co., Ltd. together with Ghana Ace Medical Laboratory & Physical Examination Center.
Speaking at the ceremony, President of CCPIT Liaoning, Pang Baoguo, described the agreement as a major step forward in deepening practical healthcare cooperation between China and Africa.
“This partnership marks a new stage in practical China–Africa cooperation in healthcare. Through this Centre, we aim to strengthen innovation, research, and shared development under the Health Silk Road vision,” he
He further stressed the importance of long-term collaboration and knowledge exchange between both countries, noting that the initiative would create new opportunities for medical advancement, professional training, and healthcare technology development.
President of the Health Community of West Africa Association, Sihong Jiang, said the Association was proud to play a leading role in connecting healthcare institutions and strengthening regional integration across West Africa.
“Health Community of West Africa Association is proud to serve as a bridge for healthcare integration across West Africa. This Centre will connect institutions, strengthen systems, and ensure that innovation translates into real healthcare impact for our people,” she stated.
She added that the Association remains committed to building stronger partnerships that improve healthcare delivery and expand access to modern medical innovation across the sub-region.
She further stated, “This is not just about establishing a Centre, it is about creating sustainable healthcare cooperation that will benefit communities across West Africa for years to come.”
Registrar of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, Dr. Tobor Yusuf, also highlighted the significance of the initiative in supporting safe and regulated healthcare development.
“This initiative is an important step in aligning traditional medicine with modern healthcare systems. Our focus is to ensure regulatory compliance, safety, and quality as this Centre develops,” he said.
He emphasized the need for responsible integration and professional standards, stating that strong regulation would remain essential as innovation and cross-border healthcare collaboration continue to expand.
The Ghana International Joint Research and Innovation Center for Health is expected to become a major regional hub for healthcare innovation, medical research, technology exchange, and professional capacity building.
The Centre will focus on areas including AI-assisted diagnostics, rehabilitation services, chronic disease management, medical research collaboration, and the integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern healthcare practices.
Under the framework of the MoU, the Health Community of West Africa Association will play a central coordination role by linking the Centre with hospitals, healthcare institutions, industry stakeholders, and policymakers across West Africa.
Stakeholders believe the initiative will help strengthen healthcare systems, improve research capacity, expand training opportunities for healthcare professionals, and increase access to innovative healthcare solutions across the region.
The signing of the MoU marks a significant milestone in China–West Africa healthcare cooperation and positions the Health Community of West Africa Association at the forefront of efforts to shape a more connected and innovation-driven healthcare future for West Africa.
