The fourth edition of the West African Pharma and Healthcare Expo opened in Accra on Tuesday, with the government assuring its commitment to implement targeted policies to support the local pharmaceutical industry.
Bringing together over 100 exhibitors and stakeholders from the pharmaceutical, medical, and healthcare delivery sectors, the three-day event seeks to explore the intersection of technology and healthcare, particularly on how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of medicine.
Organised under the auspices of Astrovision Global FZCO Dubai and ACE Group, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the expo aims to foster innovation and collaboration in healthcare across the sub-region.
In his opening address, Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Mr Sampson Ahi, underscored the critical role of the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors in ensuring national health security and driving economic growth.
He said the government was committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses and industry players to thrive through tax incentives, improved access to finance, and strategic reforms to attract much needed investment in healthcare.
Mr Ahi noted that in view of rapid technological advancements in health, it was crucial that sector players strengthen collaboration and partnerships to enhance the quality of health service delivery.
He added that innovation in healthcare was no longer optional but essential, citing developments such as e-pharmacies, AI-driven diagnostics, and telemedicine as opportunities Ghana could take advantage of, to overcome its health infrastructure limitations.
“Ghana must not be left behind in the global transformation reshaping the healthcare landscape.
Platforms like this expo, which go beyond being just trade shows, offer a convergence point for industry players, policymakers, innovators, and solution providers to pursue a shared goal; building a robust, accessible, and sustainable healthcare ecosystem in Ghana and the sub-region,” the Deputy Minister stated.
The Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Manish Gupta, in a remark, highlighted India’s pivotal role in the global pharmaceutical supply chain and called for stronger partnerships between India and Ghana to boost healthcare development in West Africa.
Describing India as the “pharmacy of the world,” Mr Gupta noted India’s $65 billion pharmaceutical industry and $400 billion healthcare market which supplies 50 per cent of Africa’s generic medicines and 40 per cent of those used in the United States.
He underscored India’s impact on affordable healthcare, vaccine production and active pharmaceutical ingredients, globally.
Mr Gupta mentioned major multinational pharmaceutical companies in India, including Johnson & Johnson and other contract manufacturing organisations, which relied on Indian expertise from clinical trials to production and global distribution.
Commending Ghana’s leadership on the sub-region, he reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Ghana to improve healthcare quality and access.
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
