The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reviving Ghana’s local pharmaceutical industry to boost the production of antiretroviral drugs for HIV treatment.
He emphasized that restoring local pharmaceutical companies that previously manufactured these medications is a top priority for the government.
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh made these remarks during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Kharmecelle Prosper Akanbong, at the Ministry of Health in Accra.
The visit aimed to discuss preparations for the 23rd edition of the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA), scheduled to take place from December 3 to 8, 2025.
The Health Minister expressed gratitude for the visit and commended Dr. Akanbong for his commitment to Ghana’s HIV/AIDS response.
He highlighted the need for meticulous planning for the upcoming international conference, which will attract participants from across the globe.
Additionally, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh emphasized the necessity of strategic measures to address sustainability challenges and ensure the smooth execution of Ghana’s HIV/AIDS initiatives.
He assured the Director-General of the government’s dedication to implementing the discussed strategies and strengthening Ghana’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Dr. Akanbong, in his discussions, stressed the urgency of government financial support to facilitate the ICASA conference, which is expected to host over 500 fully sponsored Ghanaian participants.
He also raised concerns about the sustainability challenges posed by unfavorable U.S. government policies but reassured that ongoing conversations aim to address these issues.
A key highlight of the meeting was Dr. Akanbong’s announcement regarding efforts to establish an HIV fund, as mandated by law.
He noted that the draft for the initiative is at an advanced stage, with steps being taken to gather resources for the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s HIV response.
Furthermore, Dr. Akanbong detailed ongoing discussions with GIZ and pharmaceutical companies to facilitate technology transfer and enhance local production of antiretroviral medications.
He underscored the importance of strengthening the local pharmaceutical industry to reduce Ghana’s dependency on imported HIV drugs and ensure a steady supply of life-saving medications.
The meeting marked a significant step in Ghana’s efforts to enhance its HIV/AIDS response, with both the Health Minister and the Ghana AIDS Commission committing to collaborative strategies that will improve healthcare accessibility and the sustainability of HIV treatment programs in the country.
