Ghana is taking a bold step toward pharmaceutical self-reliance. At a recent learning event, stakeholders in the pharmaceutical ecosystem gathered to explore the results of a feasibility study on building Ghana’s first bio-injectables manufacturing facility, a landmark project aimed at reducing dependence on imported medicines, strengthening local health systems, and creating high-quality jobs for Ghanaians.
Organised by the UK-funded Ghana Jobs and Economic Transformation (JET) programme and Quintex Pharma, the webinar brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to discuss how Ghana can align policy, industry, and national interests to enrich discussions that could transform the country into a hub for advanced pharmaceutical production in West Africa. The webinar also provided an opportunity for participants to learn from best practices emerging from the initiative.
The proposed $60 million state-of-the-art plant is a joint venture between Ghana’s Quintex Pharma and South Korea’s GL Rapha. Currently, Ghana imports over 70% of its medicines, costing the country more than $300 million each year. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the risks of relying on imports, especially during global supply chain disruptions. “Our goal is to build a facility that reduces Ghana’s dependence on imported medicines and strengthens our national health security,” said Dr. Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, CEO of Quintex Pharma.
The Ghana JET programme played a catalytic role in fostering a strategic partnership between Quintex Pharma and GL Rapha, paving the way for Ghana’s first bio-injectables manufacturing facility. Through UK-backed support, JET facilitated a feasibility study that assessed the plant’s financial viability, regulatory landscape, market demand, and environmental and social impacts. This partnership model reflects a broader commitment to building sustainable pharmaceutical capacity in Ghana. With the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) now among the first two Sub Saharan African regulators to achieve WHO Maturity Level 3, the country is well-positioned to access larger regional markets and attract further investment.
Panelists at the event discussed challenges such as high business costs, access to financing, and the need for government incentives. They also highlighted the importance of research, skills development, and maintaining high manufacturing standards to ensure Ghana’s competitiveness.
Panelists stressed the need for competitive pricing, government support, and financing solutions to overcome high production costs and borrowing rates. They also underscored the importance of technology transfer, skills development, and maintaining strict Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to make Ghana a trusted pharmaceutical hub.
“While the cost of doing business in Ghana presents challenges, it also highlights the urgency and opportunity to strengthen local competitiveness. By addressing key barriers, unlocking government incentives, and close financing gaps created by high interest rates, we can empower companies to thrive and reduce reliance on imports” noted Mr. Theophilus Arthur-Mensah – Senior Manager for Policy and Research, Association of Ghana Industries
The pharmaceutical sector is a government priority, especially post-COVID-19 which revealed supply chain vulnerabilities. “Guided by a Ghana Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Development Policy, we are committed to creating an enabling environment, ensuring market access, and driving incentives for R&D and technology transfer,” explained Mr. Kwasi Ofori-Antwi – Head of Strategic Anchor Industries, Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry.
The Q&A session added depth to the webinar, with participants keen to understand how the initiative would support knowledge sharing, skills development, and technology transfer to boost local employment. A key takeaway was the emphasis on maintaining high manufacturing standards.
“Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) should be a core requirement for all pharmaceutical manufacturers, and a clear criterion for government procurement,” urged Reverend Jonathan Martey, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Consultant. “When companies commit to quality, they should be rewarded. If Ghana aims to lead in the regional pharmaceutical sector, we must consistently uphold a culture of quality. The long-term benefits are enormous.”
For Quintex Pharma, the long-term vision includes selling in Ghana, expanding to other West African countries, and eventually becoming export-focused. As CEO Dr. Kwesi Amissah-Arthur put it, “early and strong partnerships, competitive pricing, and maintaining world-class standards will make this work, because he who dares, wins.”
This initiative is more than a manufacturing project—it’s a bold move toward health security, economic growth, and regional leadership in pharmaceutical production.
