The European Union (EU) in response to the call made by African leaders at the G-20 Global Health Summit in Rome in May 2021, to boost vaccine production in the continent has allocated EUR 1 billion for the initiative.
The initiative was announced by the President of the European Commission, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen to help African countries manufacture and have access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies in the continent also known as MAV+.
As part of the initiative, Ghana has secured an additional EUR 32 million towards strengthening the country’s ability to manufacture vaccines.
Announcing this in Accra, the European Union Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Irchad Razaaly, said the programme known as the Special Measures to Enhance Manufacturing Capacities and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies in Africa in short MAV+ forms part of the priorities of the union’s support for countries to create an enabling environment for local vaccines manufacturing and tackle barriers to supply and demand in the sector.
Ambassador Razaaly said the global initiative is derived from the EU budget and European development finance institutions such as the European Investment Bank under the EU’s Global Gateway.
The Special Measure, he said is aimed at creating an enabling environment and ecosystem to produce a skilled workforce in Ghana’s vaccine-production sector as well as facilitate technological transfer and exchange of best practices between Ghana and EU member states.
“This is one of the several mechanisms EU is rolling out in Ghana and across Africa to support local manufacturing of vaccines. The EU focus is to work together with Ghana to ensure optimal quality in the production of vaccines and we have delivered on this promise,” he stated.
In April, the EU provided a EUR 5 million seed grant to the vaccine-manufacturing unit at DEK Vaccine Limited.
Additionally, in partnership with the German Development Cooperation, EU launched a project to upgrade the vaccine licensing capacity of Ghana’s Food and Drug Authority.
Ambassador Razaaly said a key priority in EU-Ghana joint programming 2021-2027, the support not only serves as proof that the EU can adapt to rapidly emerging needs and trends but showcases how a strong commitment from the government of Ghana and its leadership can lead to additional support from development partners.
On his part, the President’s Advisor on Health Dr. Nisah Poku commended the union for their initiative to support Ghana’s vision of ensuring local production of vaccines.
He said in May 2022, the President tasked us to form a committee to ensure that Ghana starts its own vaccine production the first place we came was the Ambassador’s house so today if the union has responded then is a welcoming development.
