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Ministry of Health to host Ghana Vaccine Manufacturing Forum
The Ministry of Health has announced that it will host the Ghana Vaccine Manufacturing Forum on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra.
According to a press statement issued on August 4, the forum is being organised in collaboration with the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC).
It will focus on mobilising sustainable financing to support vaccine development and manufacturing in Ghana.
The statement said the theme for the forum is “Mobilising Sustainable Financing to Accelerate Vaccine Development and Manufacturing in Ghana: The Role of Financing Institutions and Development Partners.”
The Ministry disclosed that the Special Guest of Honour will be His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, while the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, will serve as the Guest of Honour.
The statement highlighted that the forum will bring together government agencies, financial institutions, investors, pharmaceutical manufacturers, development partners, and research institutions to explore innovative financing strategies to advance Ghana’s vaccine production goals.
It added that although Ghana has made progress in health regulation, research, and local pharmaceutical manufacturing, access to financing remains a major challenge.
The forum aims to attract investment to bridge the estimated US$2.5 billion funding gap required to establish a complete vaccine manufacturing ecosystem.
The Ministry noted that development partners such as GIZ and the World Bank have been supporting Ghana’s self-sufficiency drive in pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing since 2021.
It also mentioned that GIZ, on behalf of the German Development Ministry and the European Union, is implementing a programme called PharmaVax Ghana, which aligns with the goals of the National Vaccine Institute.
The statement further revealed that local pharmaceutical firms like Atlantic Lifesciences Ltd and DEK Vaccines Ltd have signed agreements with global partners for technology transfer and vaccine fill-and-finish operations in Ghana.
Key objectives of the forum, as outlined in the statement, include: facilitating dialogue among public and private sector stakeholders; exploring blended financing and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs); identifying policy and regulatory measures to attract long-term investments; and generating concrete proposals and partnerships to support vaccine self-sufficiency.
The Ministry stated that the event will be held in a hybrid format to allow broad participation from both local and international stakeholders.
It concluded by encouraging all relevant stakeholders and development partners to take part in the discussions and help secure the financial resources needed to protect lives, drive innovation, and build a stronger, more resilient Ghana.
MTN Ghana has hosted more than 200 students from various educational institutions in Accra for an engaging, hands-on technology immersion at MTN House, bringing classroom theory to life and fueling interest in STEM and digital innovation.
Students from Ashesi University, Ghana International School, Cradle Star Academy, and Kinderland School explored MTN Ghana’s rich history, core values, customer-focused innovations, and digital transformation agenda.
They were introduced to the company’s sustainability and social impact initiatives, spanning education, youth empowerment and community development. A key highlight of the visits was a tour of MTN Ghana’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) and data centres.
The students gained first-hand exposure to the advanced technology, systems, and expertise powering seamless connectivity for millions daily – offering a rare look into how MTN ensures network performance, security, and resilience.
Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, noted, “Hosting students at MTN House reflects our commitment to shaping Ghana’s digital future. As we deliver our Ambition 2030 strategy, we are deepening investments in youth development through programmes like the Bright Scholarship, the MTN Digital Skills Academy, and collaborations on the One Million Coders Programme and the Girls in ICT initiative led by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation.”
Paschal Paaga, Manager for IT Projects Implementation, emphasised the importance of experiential learning.
‘’By opening our doors, we are helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. We want young people to see the real-world impact of technology and be inspired to pursue careers in STEM.”
For many participants, the experience was transformative. Maame Sapomaa, a Level 300 Information Systems student from Ashesi University, shared, “The visit was incredibly inspiring. Everything we have learned in the classroom came to life, and we were exposed to new concepts beyond our studies. It has motivated me even more to pursue a career in technology.”
As MTN Ghana advances its Ambition 2030 vision, the company remains committed to driving digital inclusion, platform-led innovation, and building strategic partnerships that support Ghana’s long-term socio-economic development.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has expressed sorrow over the death of two Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates in a road accident in the Upper West Region.
The deceased are Taufi Ibrahim and Abdul Khalid, both students at Chiana Roman Catholic Junior High School.
“Management of the Ghana Education Service has received with profound sorrow the tragic news of the untimely demise of two Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates, Taufi Ibrahim and Abdul Khalid, students of Chiana Roman Catholic Junior High School in the Upper West Region,” a statement issued by Mr Daniel Fenyi, Head of Public Relations, GES, said.
It said preliminary reports indicated that the students died in a road traffic accident on Sunday, May 3, while travelling to Wa ahead of the commencement of the examination.
“We are deeply saddened that these young lives, full of promise and potential, have been cut short under such distressing circumstances.
“Management and staff of GES, and the entire education community, extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the school, their classmates, and all who have been affected by this tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.”
The statement said Management of the GES would continue to liaise with the appropriate authorities to ascertain full details of the incident and consider measures to prevent similar occurrences. –GNA
