Strengthening the pharmaceutical industry Across Africa

Former President John Dramani Mahama has made a strong appeal for increased investment within the pharmaceutical industry across Africa. Speaking on regional economic independence, Mahama emphasized that the continent must transition away from over-reliance on external medical imports, which leaves local healthcare systems vulnerable to global supply chain shocks.

Highlighting the lessons learned from recent global health crises, leaders and industry stakeholders have repeatedly pointed to the urgent need for domestic manufacturing capabilities. Mahama’s remarks align with a broader continental push to empower local manufacturers, ensure medicine security, and lower the cost of essential drugs for millions of citizens.

The Economic and Healthcare Imperative in Ghana

In the context of Ghana, strengthening the pharmaceutical industry means boosting local production capacities, creating specialized jobs for science graduates, and reducing the country’s import bill. Local pharmaceutical companies have long cited challenges such as high utility tariffs, limited access to long-term financing, and heavy taxation on raw material imports as major bottlenecks to scaling operations.

Key Challenges Facing Local Drug Manufacturers

• High Production Costs: Expensive electricity and raw material importation drive up final market prices.
• Access to Capital: Limited availability of low-interest, long-term credit facilities for industrial expansion.
• Regulatory Bottlenecks: Delays in product approvals that hinder time-to-market competitiveness against cheaper foreign alternatives.

Experts argue that addressing these structural challenges requires a coordinated public-private partnership. By providing targeted tax incentives, supporting research and development, and leveraging regional trade frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Ghana and its neighbors can position themselves as regional pharmaceutical hubs.

Path Forward for Continental Self-Reliance

Achieving a self-sustaining pharmaceutical industry requires intentional policy execution, robust regulatory oversight, and unwavering financial commitment from both domestic governments and international development partners. As stakeholders digest these renewed calls for investment, the focus shifts to actionable frameworks that can translate political will into tangible industrial growth.