Ghana has launched a Cabinet-approved pharmaceutical manufacturing policy aimed at doubling the domestic market share of locally manufactured medicines from 30% to 60%, strengthening industrial capacity, reducing import dependence and positioning the country as a pharmaceutical manufacturing hub in West Africa.
The policy, introduced by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry in Accra on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, establishes a coordinated framework for investment, financing, public procurement, regulatory compliance, research and regional trade.
It is intended to address structural constraints facing domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers while improving the country’s capacity to supply essential medicines.
Delivering the keynote address at the launch, the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said Ghana’s reliance on imported medicines exposed the country to external supply disruptions and underscored the need to expand local production.
The government estimates that approximately 70% of medicines consumed in Ghana are imported, leaving domestic manufacturers responsible for about 30% of the market.
“Medicines are not ordinary goods. A country that cannot produce its own essential medicines leaves its health, economy, and sovereignty vulnerable.”
Minister for Trade, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare
Reducing Import Dependence Through Local Production
The policy establishes a target of increasing the domestic market share of locally manufactured medicines to 60%, marking a significant step towards President John Dramani Mahama’s broader objective of achieving 70% pharmaceutical self-sufficiency.
Achieving this ambition will require more than expanding the number of manufacturing facilities. Ghana must strengthen production capacity, improve access to industrial financing, ensure consistent product quality and develop the technical expertise required to manufacture medicines that meet internationally recognised standards.
The World Health Organization’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) framework provides internationally recognised requirements for ensuring that pharmaceutical products are consistently manufactured and controlled according to appropriate quality standards.
Compliance is essential for manufacturers seeking to compete in regulated markets and expand exports.
Under the new policy, the government intends to support local pharmaceutical companies in obtaining GMP certification and pursuing WHO prequalification where applicable.
These measures could improve the competitiveness of Ghanaian medicines, although export opportunities will also depend on regulatory approvals, pricing, product demand and the ability of manufacturers to supply medicines consistently.
“This policy provides a single, coordinated framework to align investment, regulation, public procurement, skills, and regional trade behind Ghanaian manufacturers.”
Minister for Trade, Hon.Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare
Reducing import dependence could also help Ghana manage vulnerabilities associated with international supply chain disruptions, foreign exchange pressures and fluctuations in the cost of imported pharmaceutical products.
However, the extent of these benefits will depend on the availability of locally produced alternatives, including the raw materials and specialised inputs required for manufacturing.
Financing, Procurement and Industrial Capacity
The policy identifies six strategic pillars designed to address barriers to pharmaceutical industry growth, beginning with quality assurance and access to markets.
A central component is the use of public procurement and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to improve market access for qualifying locally manufactured medicines.
Government institutions represent an important potential market for domestic producers, particularly where their products meet established standards for safety, efficacy, quality and value for money.
The proposed approach is intended to create stronger demand signals for local manufacturers, allowing businesses to plan production, invest in equipment and improve operational efficiency.
Any preference in procurement, however, must operate within applicable procurement rules and ensure that patients receive safe, effective and affordable medicines.
Financing is another major priority. The government plans to work with Development Bank Ghana, Ghana EXIM Bank and the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA) to facilitate affordable, long-term financing for pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Access to patient capital is particularly important for an industry that requires specialised equipment, quality-control laboratories, skilled personnel and compliance with demanding regulatory requirements.
The long term financing could enable existing companies to modernise production facilities and help new investors establish commercially viable manufacturing operations.
The policy also seeks to move the industry beyond basic formulation and packaging towards higher value activities, including the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), excipients and vaccines.
APIs are the substances responsible for the therapeutic effects of medicines, while excipients support the formulation, stability and delivery of pharmaceutical products.
Also, developing domestic capacity in these areas could deepen Ghana’s industrial base, although substantial investment, technical expertise and reliable access to specialised inputs would be necessary.
The policy’s industrial ambitions extend beyond finished medicines to active pharmaceutical ingredients, excipients and local vaccine production, creating opportunities to strengthen domestic value addition and reduce dependence on imported pharmaceutical inputs.
Research, Skills and Regional Export Opportunities
The remaining pillars focus on strengthening research collaboration, developing specialised skills and expanding pharmaceutical exports across African markets.
The Ministry intends to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial production while equipping clinical pharmacists with the competencies needed for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
A skilled workforce will be essential as manufacturers adopt more advanced production systems and pursue higher regulatory standards.
Investment in pharmaceutical engineering, industrial pharmacy, quality assurance and laboratory capabilities could also support the creation of skilled employment opportunities across the value chain.
Regionally, the government plans to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to expand exports and double the value of pharmaceutical products sold abroad.
The AfCFTA provides a framework for improving intra-African trade, while ECOWAS offers access to markets across West Africa.
Nevertheless, translating these opportunities into export growth will require competitive pricing, harmonised regulatory processes, reliable distribution networks and compliance with destination-market requirements.
The launch brought together stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Food and Drugs Authority, National Vaccine Institute, Development Bank Ghana, GIZ and the World Health Organization, alongside European partners.
Their participation reflects the cross-sector coordination required to implement the policy, given the links between industrial development, healthcare delivery, pharmaceutical regulation and international trade.
Through coordinated investment, stronger regulatory systems, workforce development and regional market access, the policy seeks to establish a more resilient pharmaceutical manufacturing base capable of serving domestic healthcare needs and competing in African markets.
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