Accra: Ghana has paid $24.5 million to GAVI to secure a regular supply of vaccines, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Health Minister, has disclosed. He said the Government had demonstrated a commitment to the health and well-being of their children.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Minister highlighted that the country's budget for vaccines was increased by 46 percent this year. As part of his half-year report on the health sector, presented at a press conference during the Government Accountability Series at the Presidency in Accra, Mr. Akandoh confirmed that the full payment of $24.5 million to GAVI had been completed.
The Minister emphasized that this payment is crucial to avoiding recurring shortages of critical vaccines, which can lead to outbreaks. By August, Ghana is expected to receive hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses to be distributed to communities nationwide.
Mr. Akandoh stated that investing in children's health today is a step towards securing Ghana's future. The government remains committed to prioritizing and investing in immunization to protect every child and build a healthier nation for future generations.
Regarding vaccine manufacturing, Mr. Akandoh revealed that the government aims to make Ghana a center for vaccine production. The National Vaccine Institute is collaborating with the regulatory authority and pharmaceutical industry stakeholders to achieve this goal.
The Minister also announced that one of their private sector partners had obtained market authorization from Ghana's Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to produce Snake Anti-Venom Serum commercially. This development marks a significant step towards transitioning Ghana from a consumer to a producer in the vaccine industry.
