By GhanaNewsPage 
Prof William Ampofo, Executive Director of AVMI and CEO of the National Vaccine Institute in Ghana, Farrah Losper, BoardChair of AVMI and Chief Commercial Officer: Biovac, Hon Minister of Health for Ghana, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye.
Author: Mohammad Bilal Sayed || Baye Media
The African Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative (AVMI) hosted the Honourable Minister of Health for Ghana, Bernard Okoe Boye and his delegation today (August 12, 2024), in what was a fact-finding mission to observe vaccine development and manufacturing operations in Cape Town, South Africa.
This significant visit aimed to highlight South Africa’s vaccine production capabilities and discuss potential areas of partnership between Ghana and South Africa to enhance vaccine accessibility and healthcare infrastructure.
The high-level Ghanaian delegation visited two local South African companies – the biopharmaceutical company, Biovac, and biotechnology company, Afrigen Biologics & Vaccines – to explore their state-of-the-art facilities, research and development labs, production lines, and quality assurance departments.
“The Government of Ghana is committed fully in supporting the African manufacturing initiative and supporting all stakeholders that are on this path of building capacity in the continent,” said Minister Okoe Boye.
The visit follows the recent announcement of a €32 million initiative by the European Union (EU) to enhance vaccine production in Ghana. Executive Director of AVMI and CEO of the National Vaccine Institute in Ghana, Prof William Ampofo, expressed optimism that the global initiative would create a conducive environment for local vaccine production.
“There is a pressing need to strengthen public-private partnerships to support the vaccines industry. The visit aims to enhance collaboration between the two countries, focusing on opportunities for knowledge exchange and capacity building as well as advancing public health and biotechnological innovation,” Prof Ampofo added.
The 11-member delegation included representatives from the Ghanaian Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, the Food and Drugs Authority, vaccine manufacturing companies and experts from local research institutes.
AVMI represents more than 18 manufacturers on the continent and with the support of Africa CDC, has positioned itself as the voice of the African vaccine manufacturing industry.
Note to editor: In July 2024, the EU launched a €32 million Special Measure on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies (MAV+) to support the development of vaccine manufacturing and the pharmaceutical industry in Ghana.
About AVMI
The African Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative (AVMI) is a non-profit, advocacy group that promotes the establishment of sustainable human vaccine manufacturing capacity in Africa.
Established in 2012, AVMI currently represents 18 manufacturers across the continent, and supports the Platform for Harmonized African Health Products Manufacturing (PHAHM), formerly PAVM, to achieve the ambitious goal of supplying at least 60% of Africa’s vaccine needs by 2040, up from the current 1%. AVMI is based in Cape Town, South Africa.