By Collins Sarkodieh 
Buying essential medicines at local pharmacies often burns a huge hole in family pockets. Many citizens struggle daily to afford basic treatments for chronic illnesses like hypertension and diabetes. President John Dramani Mahama wants to change this painful reality for good.
Speaking at a Free Primary Health Care programme in Zuarungu within the Bolgatanga East District, he dropped a staggering truth. Ghana currently imports about seventy percent of all the medicines used locally. Citizens deserve better than relying completely on expensive foreign drug shipments.
The government recently received a strategic five year plan to boost domestic manufacturing capacity. This blueprint came directly from the National Vaccine Institute, the Ministry of Health, and the Pharmaceutical Association of Ghana. Local production will slash procurement expenses significantly.
Lower production costs allow the government to supply more free medications to ordinary people. Officials already secured crucial agreements with local manufacturers to guarantee constant supplies. Patients managing conditions like diabetes will easily access vital prescriptions such as metformin without stress.
Expanding local capacity also opens golden opportunities to export surplus medicines to neighboring countries. Building domestic self sufficiency strengthens national security and keeps healthcare affordable for everyone. Ghana is finally ready to manufacture its own healing power.
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