ACCRA, GHANA – The Ministry of Health in Ghana recently hosted a high-level delegation from the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and the National Vaccine Institute, signaling a significant push to deepen collaboration in vaccine research, development, and manufacturing. The delegation, led by IVI Director General Dr. Jerome H. Kim, met with the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to explore strategic partnerships aimed at bolstering Ghana’s vaccine ecosystem.
Minister Akandoh underscored Ghana’s commitment to strengthening its vaccine capabilities through international cooperation, particularly as the nation prepares to transition from Gavi support. He highlighted the critical need for partnerships with organizations like IVI to sustain progress in immunization and enhance health security.
The Minister also reiterated the government’s dedication to healthcare, emphasizing that investments in vaccine infrastructure, research, and local production are central to Ghana’s national health agenda, viewing vaccines as both disease prevention tools and a strategic pillar for broader development.
Dr. Kim commended Ghana’s strides in public health and reaffirmed IVI’s commitment to supporting the country’s vaccine ambitions. He indicated IVI’s intention to submit a formal application to the Government of Ghana to establish a long-term partnership.
Furthermore, Dr. Kim expressed IVI’s readiness to collaborate with Ghana’s National Vaccine Institute to offer training and empowerment for local vaccine manufacturers, as well as to assist in securing funding for sustainable vaccine production. The discussions also explored avenues for Ghana’s National Vaccine Institute to leverage IVI’s global network and technical expertise to accelerate the development of vaccines for diseases prevalent in the country.
Sankofaonline
