News
TOUGHA pays courtesy call on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
The Tour Operators’ Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) has paid a courtesy call on Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II who is the Life Patron of the union.
Their visit coincided with the commemoration of the first Awukadae in the year at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi. The Union was there to express appreciation to its Life Patron for the support and encouragement received during the publication and launch of the maiden TOUGHA Newsletter at the latter part of 2021.
Otumfuo delegated his Mawerehene, Nana Baffour Osei HyeamanBrantuo VI to represent him at the launch.
The visiting delegation presented Otumfuo with among other things, a citation of honour in which they extolled the King’s exceptional leadership qualities and wise counsel while expressing how honoured they felt to have him serve as the Life Patron of TOUGHA
On his part, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II conveyed his appreciation for the gesture and also gave his blessings to the delegation and wished them well in the execution of their responsibilities to grow and promote tourism in the country.
The TOUGHA delegation led by its President, Mrs. Alisa Osei-Asamoah comprised, Vice President, Michael Orleans, Advisory Board Members, Okatakyie Nana Anim Ambassador Nancy Sam,as well as General Secretary, Yvonne Donkor, Financial Secretary, Tina Ross, Ashanti Regional Chairman, Ahmed Naaman, Apostle Emmanuel Mensah, Madam Joyce Obeng and Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi of the Corporate Affairs Department of the Ghana Tourism Authority.
West Africa’s In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) market currently stands at
US$0.988 billion in 2025 and is set to grow at a 4% CAGR, reaching US$1.388 billion by 2034.
Meanwhile, Africa’s broader medical supplies market is soaring from US$6.5 billion in 2025 to
US$11.18 billion by 2031 at a 10.4% CAGR, with pharmaceutical imports, led by Nigeria’s 60% regional share, are projected to hit US$6.5 billion by 2030, straining cold-chain and logistics
infrastructure.
Yet, amid this rapid expansion, West African hospitals and labs face acute vulnerabilities; 85–99% import dependency on medical equipment and IVDs triggers two-to-four-week delays and severe downtime, foreign exchange shortages drive cost volatility, and over 70% out-of-pocket spending demands urgent efficiencies.
Procurement leaders are responding with a strategic pivot, from lowest-cost bids to service-led sourcing, foreign exchange-hedged contracts, and inventory buffering for reagents, while
regional suppliers already deliver 30–40% faster lead times.
The Hospital Investment & Buyer Leadership Forum, held in collaboration with ABCHealth on 3
June, as part of the World Health Expo (WHX) in Lagos (2-4 June 2026, Landmark Centre), creates a platform for healthcare leaders and vetted suppliers for diagnostics, cold-chain, and digital platforms to connect.
Held under the theme “Advancing hospital growth and innovation:
Investment, strategic partnerships, and technology adoption in West Africa”, attendees can look forward to intelligence on policies like Nigeria’s duty waivers, benchmarking regional
manufacturers, and securing framework agreements for crisis-ready chains, as well as capitalising on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) reforms and donor funding for transparent, tech-enabled systems.
“The Hospital Investment & Buyer Leadership Forum at WHX turns these challenges into opportunities,” Tom Coleman, Portfolio Director – Healthcare, Informa Markets explained.
He noted that“Leaders can secure framework agreements with vetted suppliers, tap AfCFTA and policyincentives like Nigeria’s duty waivers, and build crisis-resilient systems.”
According to a 2026 WHX report titled ‘Building Resilient Healthcare Supply Chains in West Africa, structural shift in West Africa is gaining momentum through localisation, with
Afreximbank’s US$75 million facility spurring the production of devices, vaccines, and biologics alongside Nigeria’s progress from 30% local medicine output in 2024 toward a 70% target by 2030.
The AfCFTA initiative is further accelerating distribution hubs in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte
d’Ivoire, enabling blended original equipment manufacturer-regional sourcing.
“The Hospital Investment & Buyer Leadership Forum at WHX is a pivotal gathering for healthcare leaders, investors, and suppliers to drive hospital expansion across Nigeria and the region,” Dr. Mories Atoki, CEO, ABCHealth said.
According to him, “We are excited to engage on key topics, from
tools and systems hospitals prioritise for better care, to strategies strengthening facilities and
workforce capabilities, innovative partnership models for resource and technology integration, and financing models enabling sustainable growth. This forum creates unmatched opportunities to forge connections that accelerate service expansion and technology adoption amid West Africa’s healthcare transformation.”
WHX brings together more than 500 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge medical solutions, over 8,000 professional visitors and 30 world-renowned speakers sharing insights that matter across three dynamic parter-led forums, creating opportunities for market expansion and strategic partnerships.
Sectors represented at the exhibition include medical devices and equipment, disposables and consumer goods, orthopaedics and physiotherapy, imaging and diagnostics, healthcare and general services, healthcare infrastructure, wellness and prevention, laboratory,
as well as IT and solutions.
New features at WHX include an integrated Lab Zone, showcasing diagnostics, equipment, and
consumables with live demonstrations, and a networking lounge for business connections, hands-on workshops, expert insights and buyer matchmaking to drive commercial outcomes.
The WHX portfolio includes three key healthcare events in Africa, held in Johannesburg, Nairobi,
and Lagos. These events form a unified platform that connects global brands with regional
distributors.
Healthcare professionals, suppliers, and investors are encouraged to register to attend WHX,
apply to exhibit, and explore its rich conference learning and networking opportunities as part of
Africa’s healthcare future.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has temporarily suspended three pharmacies from providing services under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) over suspected irregularities in claims and service transactions.
The affected pharmacies are Deldem Pharma Limited, Paramedica Pharmacy and Desh Chemist.
According to a public notice issued by the NHIA on May 14, the suspension took immediate effect.
The Authority explained that a routine claims verification exercise uncovered what it described as “material irregularities” linked to claims and service transactions involving the three facilities.
It stated that the findings raised reasonable suspicion of fraud and abuse under the NHIS Provider Service Agreement.
As part of the suspension, the pharmacies are not allowed to provide healthcare services or dispense medicines under the NHIS until further notice.
The NHIA advised NHIS members who need pharmaceutical services to seek care from other accredited providers across the country.
In the statement signed by the Chief Executive of the NHIA, Victor Asare Bampoe, the Authority warned all credentialed healthcare providers against engaging in fraudulent practices that could threaten the sustainability of the scheme.
It stressed that healthcare providers who defraud or attempt to defraud the NHIS commit an offence punishable by a fine, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both upon conviction.
The NHIA reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and the proper use of public funds in delivering quality healthcare services to Ghanaians.
By: Jacob Aggrey
