Minimise country’s dependence on external sources for essential vaccines — Akufo-Addo to National Vaccine Institute

The newly appointed Board of the National Vaccine Institute has been tasked by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo with the vital mission of ensuring Ghana's self-sufficiency and minimizing the country's dependence on external sources for essential vaccinations.

The Board was sworn in at a ceremony in Accra under the leadership of the renowned Dr. Anarfi Asamoah Baah, Head of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

The President stressed in his speech the importance of the Institute accelerating the nation's ability to produce its own vaccines.

“Develop a roadmap for vaccine development and manufacturing in Ghana. Support the upgrade of laboratory facility for the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to achieve the World Health Organisation (WHO) maturity level. Collaborate with international institutions in Senegal, Rwanda,” he noted.

In addition to recognizing the urgent need for vaccines, notably the COVID-19 vaccine, President Akufo-Addo emphasized that the country's excessive reliance on foreign suppliers for vaccine procurement is not a long-term answer.

He asked the Board to work with other organizations that produce vaccines in order to guarantee the delivery of vaccines of the highest calibre and effectiveness.