In a groundbreaking development for Ghana’s healthcare sector, the country has achieved a major milestone in local vaccine manufacturing, signaling a significant step towards health sovereignty in Africa.
During the 9th J.E.A. Mills Leadership Lecture at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Dr. Sodzi Sodzi Tettey, the CEO of the National Vaccine Institute (NVI), announced a major breakthrough. The Food and Drugs Authority has granted market authorization to DEKOKA Life Sciences Group for the local production of anti-snake venom serums.
Dr. Tettey emphasized the importance of this achievement, stating that the manufacturing process has successfully passed safety and quality tests. This marks a historic moment as Ghana introduces its first locally produced, cost-effective, multi-species-targeted anti-serum.
This development aligns with the African Union’s goal for 60% of vaccines used on the continent to be locally manufactured by 2040. Currently, Africa only produces 1% of the vaccines it consumes.
Dr. Tettey highlighted Ghana’s innovative public-private partnership model, with DEKOKA Life Sciences and EphA Vaccines Ltd leading the way in local vaccine production. The NVI is also actively engaging in technology transfer partnerships with global institutions and collaborating with the European Union, GIZ, and the World Bank to enhance capacity.
“This is a significant but essential start for an institution that is just two years old,” Dr. Tettey remarked, underscoring the NVI’s commitment to advancing vaccine research, development, and production in Ghana.
The progress made in local vaccine manufacturing represents a significant step towards reducing dependency on foreign vaccine imports and enhancing healthcare self-sufficiency in Ghana and across the African continent. This achievement sets a positive precedent for future advancements in healthcare innovation and local production capabilities.
