President Mahama outlines plans to expand healthcare, produce medicines locally

President John Dramani Mahama has outlined measures being pursued by Ghana to widen access to healthcare while strengthening the country’s capacity to manufacture medicines, vaccines and other essential health products locally.

Speaking at the Health Plenary of the Alamein Africa Forum in Egypt on October 3, 2026, President Mahama said the government was implementing an “Accra Reset” agenda focused on improving healthcare delivery and reducing the country’s dependence on imported medical products.

He said key initiatives under the agenda included expanding the National Health Insurance Scheme, rolling out Free Primary Health Care and establishing the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.

“In Ghana, we are implementing the Accra Reset by expanding the National Health Insurance Scheme, introducing Free Primary Health Care, establishing the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, and empowering the Food and Drugs Authority and National Vaccine Institute to transition Ghana from a consumer to a producer of health products,” President Mahama said.

He said the government was also strengthening institutions responsible for the production and regulation of health products as part of efforts to increase local manufacturing capacity.

President Mahama tours Mercy Ships hospital at Tema Port

According to him, increasing local production would enable Ghana to retain more foreign exchange, create opportunities for industrial growth and make the health sector more resilient to disruptions in global supply chains.

President Mahama said the approach formed part of a broader effort across Africa to develop stronger and more self-reliant health systems capable of meeting the continent’s healthcare needs.

He cited Egypt’s progress in addressing Hepatitis C and the establishment of the African Medical Centre of Excellence in Abuja, Nigeria, as examples of African countries building local capacity while keeping healthcare expertise and resources within the continent.

“We do not need to look outside our continent for proof that this works,” he said.

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AK/MA