By Gifty Adjei
Ghana is making significant strides in local vaccine development to enhance health security and prepare for future pandemics. This was a key focus at the recent National Vaccine Institute’s Public Education Seminar on Vaccine Research and Development held in Accra. Experts, regulators, and stakeholders convened to discuss challenges and opportunities in building vaccine capacity, fostering public trust, and ensuring equitable access across the region.
Participants celebrated Ghana’s public health achievements, including the elimination of neonatal tetanus since 2011 and wild polio since 2008, alongside a notable reduction in deaths from diseases such as measles, pneumonia, and diarrhea due to national immunisation efforts. However, challenges remain, including funding gaps as international support diminishes, logistical delays in vaccine distribution, and difficulties reaching remote communities.
Dr. Anarfi Asamoa-Baah, the board chair of the National Vaccine Institute, emphasised the country’s commitment to achieving vaccine self-reliance while cautioning that similar public trust issues faced by India in promoting domestically produced vaccines could arise in Ghana.
Professor Margaret Gyapong from the University of Health and Allied Sciences stressed the importance of trust in locally made vaccines, urging Ghanaians to change the misconception that imported products are inherently superior.
Dr. Delese Darko, CEO of the Food and Drugs Authority, assured the public that locally produced vaccines will adhere to the highest international standards, highlighting the FDA’s vital role in monitoring vaccine quality and overseeing clinical trials.
The seminar concluded with a call for stronger regional partnerships and public-private collaborations to sustain local production efforts and improve health outcomes across the region.