The Big Pill: Bawumia’s plan to put Ghana on the pharmaceutical map

Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has called for stronger local pharmaceutical production, improved working conditions for pharmacists and deeper public-private partnerships as part of efforts to position Ghana as a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing hub in West Africa and beyond.

Dr Bawumia made the remarks after meeting the national leadership of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) at the society’s headquarters, PSG House, in Accra, as part of his ongoing stakeholder engagements on policies to drive Ghana’s sustainable development.

The discussions focused on measures to strengthen the country’s domestic pharmaceutical industry, increase the production of medicines locally and improve the regulatory environment to support the sector’s growth.

According to Dr Bawumia, Ghana has the potential to become a major pharmaceutical production centre for West Africa and the wider African continent if the right policies and partnerships are put in place.

The meeting also addressed concerns surrounding workforce entry into the pharmacy profession and the need to improve pharmacists’ conditions of service, alongside efforts to encourage stronger collaboration between the government and private-sector players.

Dr Bawumia expressed appreciation to the society’s current leadership, past presidents and executives for their contributions to the discussions and their commitment to advancing healthcare delivery.

“Together, we are building a resilient, self-reliant economy that creates jobs and secures the health of our nation,” he stated in a Facebook post following the meeting.

His proposal comes amid broader discussions about strengthening domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing, improving access to essential medicines and reducing dependence on imported medical products.

Expanding local production could create jobs, support industrial growth and strengthen medicine supply chains. However, achieving Ghana’s ambition of becoming a regional pharmaceutical hub would require sustained investment, efficient regulation, skilled personnel and reliable partnerships between public institutions and private manufacturers.

Dr Bawumia’s engagement with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana forms part of his broader consultations with stakeholders on policies he believes can support economic growth and national development.

EA