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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.
Parliament of Ghana has passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, widely known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
The bill was passed after it was read for the third time on the floor of Parliament.
The legislation seeks to criminalise activities related to LGBTQ practices in Ghana.
However, lawmakers introduced amendments to exempt some professionals from punishment under the law.
The exemptions cover legal practitioners, media professionals and health workers who provide services to persons identified as LGBTQ.
During proceedings in Parliament, the First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Bernard Ahiafor who was in the chair
announced that the bill had been duly read for the third time and passed.
Supporters of the bill say it is intended to promote what they describe as Ghanaian family values and cultural norms.
The proposed law has generated public debate both within Ghana and internationally, with some groups supporting it while others have raised concerns about human rights and freedoms.
The bill is expected to go through the necessary constitutional processes before it can take effect as law after the President’s assent.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, says the shift system in public schools is not a national policy and has largely been phased out across the country.
Responding to questions on the floor of Parliament today, Mr. Iddrisu explained that the shift system was introduced as a temporary measure to address overcrowding and inadequate infrastructure in some schools.
According to him, the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) are continuing efforts to eliminate the system completely through the construction of additional classroom blocks at the basic school level.
He stated that government remains committed to improving teaching and learning conditions in schools across the country.
The Education Minister disclosed that government has allocated GH¢230 million in the 2025 GETFund distribution formula for the procurement of school furniture for both basic and Senior High Schools nationwide.
According to him, the investment forms part of measures to ensure that students have access to a better learning environment.
Mr. Iddrisu further highlighted the importance of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) policy, which was introduced in 1996 to provide every Ghanaian child with free and compulsory basic education.
He said the policy continues to play a major role in reducing illiteracy and promoting equal access to quality education across the country.
The Minister addressed concerns raised by the University Teachers Association of Ghana over issues in the tertiary education sector.
According to him, the Ministry of Education, through the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, has taken the necessary steps to maintain industrial harmony in tertiary institutions.
He assured Parliament that government would continue to engage stakeholders in the education sector to ensure stability and improved educational outcomes.
By: Jacob Aggrey
