Ghana’s Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, delivered a keynote address at the African Trade Summit today, emphasising the importance of health security as an industrial strategy. Speaking on the theme “Health Security as Industrial Strategy: Manufacturing Medicines for Africa and the World,” Minister Akandoh highlighted the lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic, noting that dependence on foreign medicine production leaves nations vulnerable.
He praised President Mahama’s Reset Agenda for prioritising local pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing, describing it as a critical step toward health sovereignty. The minister stressed that building domestic capacity not only safeguards lives but also creates jobs and strengthens economic stability.
“Health industrialisation is how Africa can care for its people, grow its economy, and take control of its own health future,” Akandoh said, calling for strategic investment and clear policy to support the continent’s pharmaceutical and vaccine production ambitions.
The address reinforced Ghana’s commitment to becoming a hub for local medicine and vaccine manufacturing in Africa.
