A high-level delegation from the Republic of Ghana has successfully concluded a landmark visit to the Republic of Indonesia aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in health, pharmaceutical development, trade, and capacity building under the framework of South–South Cooperation.
The delegation, which included the CEO of the National Vaccine Institute (NVI), Dr. Sodzi Felix Sodzi-Tettey; the CEO of the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Manso Opuni; the COO of Atlantic Life Sciences Ltd, Mr. David Klutse; and Component Lead, PharmaVax Ghana Programme, GIZ, Mr. Jasper Sablah, attended the International Conference of Vaccine Manufacturers in Bali before proceeding to Jakarta for a series of high-level meetings with key Indonesian government agencies and institutions.
The visit was facilitated and led by H.E. Paskal A.B. Rois, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Indonesia in Ghana, whose diplomatic engagement has been instrumental in revitalizing the long-standing Ghana-Indonesia relationship, which dates back to the era of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and President Sukarno Putra.
During the visit, the Ghanaian delegation met with top officials from Indonesia’s National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), the Directorate of Africa Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Directorate-General of International Development Cooperation under the Ministry of Finance, which oversees Indonesia’s AID.
The team also toured the facilities of PT Bio Farma, Indonesia’s state-owned vaccine and biotechnology manufacturer based in Bandung. Established in 1890, PT Bio Farma is one of the world’s oldest and most reputable vaccine producers, manufacturing over 3.2 billion doses annually and supplying to more than 150 countries worldwide.
Discussions centered on advancing joint vaccine production, regulatory cooperation, and capacity building for Ghana’s pharmaceutical sector.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is expected to be signed soon between Ghana’s FDA and Indonesia’s BPOM, with additional technical and grant support from the Indonesian government through Indonesia AID.
A key highlight of the engagement is the partnership between Atlantic Life Sciences Ltd, a private Ghanaian pharmaceutical company, and PT Bio Farma.
This collaboration, supported by both the Governments of Ghana and Indonesia, will facilitate technology transfer and local manufacturing of vaccines, beginning with the Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) vaccine by 2026.The initiative forms part of a broader South-South cooperation framework designed to strengthen Africa’s vaccine ecosystem, reduce import dependency, and position Ghana as a regional vaccine manufacturing hub in West Africa.
The Chief Executive Officers of the FDA and NVI expressed optimism about this partnership, noting that it aligns perfectly with Ghana’s national agenda for health security, industrialization, and economic transformation.
In an interview, H.E. Paskal A.B. Rois emphasized the historical depth of Ghana-Indonesia relations.
Indonesia and Ghana share a long-standing relationship dating back to our founding presidents, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and President Sukarno Putra, he said.
Dr. Nkrumah attended the 1955 Bandung Conference, a pivotal gathering that birthed the spirit of the Non-Aligned Movement and African-Asian solidarity.
Leading a Ghanaian delegation back to Bandung, where PT Bio Farma is based, feels like history repeating itself in the most meaningful way.
He further noted that the visit was timely and mutually beneficial, reinforcing trust and opening new opportunities across sectors such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and education.
The Honorary Consul disclosed that discussions are underway for Indonesia to open a new Embassy in Ghana by 2026, a move that will significantly enhance bilateral coordination and investment facilitation.
“I would also propose to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama to establish a Ghanaian Embassy in Jakarta,” said H.E. Rois.
“Indonesia, being the world’s fourth most populous nation with rapidly growing infrastructure and economic influence, offers immense potential for Ghana and Africa.
“Establishing a resident mission will accelerate trade, investment, and cultural exchanges.”
Expanding Cooperation Beyond Health
Beyond health and pharmaceuticals, both nations are exploring cooperation in several strategic areas:
*Oil and Gas Development: Exploration, refining, and downstream operations.
* Infrastructure Development: Collaboration in road, rail, airport, and smart city projects.
* Industrialization: Support for agro-processing, textiles, and manufacturing parks.
* Agriculture and Food Security: Technology transfer, mechanization, and climate-smart agriculture.
* Education: Expansion of Indonesian scholarship opportunities for Ghanaian students.
During the visit, H.E. Rois and the delegation met with several Ghanaian students in Indonesia who are beneficiaries of fully funded Indonesian scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, stipends, airfare, and health insurance.
H.E. Rois concluded with a diplomatic proposal to both Heads of State: “I respectfully propose to H.E. President John Dramani Mahama to consider a State Visit to Indonesia, and to H.E. President Prabowo Subianto to reciprocate with a visit to Ghana.
“These engagements will formalize and strengthen our shared vision through a Framework Agreement on Cooperation.”
He added that such high-level engagements would not only cement bilateral trust but also unlock deeper trade, health, and investment linkages under the South–South Cooperation framework.
A Historic Step Forward
The visit symbolizes a renewed era of Ghana-Indonesia relations, bridging historical friendship with modern economic collaboration.
With the forthcoming MOU between BPOM and Ghana FDA, the PT Bio Farma–Atlantic Life Sciences Ltd partnership, and the technical grant from Indonesia AID, both countries are poised to build a sustainable future rooted in shared growth, innovation, and solidarity.