The European Union (EU) and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) have jointly launched a 2.84 million euro project to be implemented over a 27 month period for the institutional and technical strengthening of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).

The Project supports the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in regulating vaccine manufacturing as part of Ghana's plans to produce vacancies and ensure that the FDA will enhance capacity regarding facilities and Personnel to ensure quality, safety and efficacy of locally manufactured vaccines that meet international standards. 

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Mrs Delese Darko in an interview with the media said, they will continue to support the manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies to strengthen health systems with the required capacity for emergency and pandemic preparedness. 

She said the 2.84 million from the European Union and GIZ will be used to build a new laboratory to test vaccines that will be developed or manufactured in the country before it can be used and imported to other countries. 

The Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr.Anthony Nsiah Asare said, they want to help in manufacturing vaccines in the country in order to import some to Europe which is a mandate set up by the Government of Ghana within 10 years’ time.

The Country Director of GIZ, Regina Baureroche Barbosa on her part added that the project is to help Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to be ready for the regulatory and challenges with regards to vaccines production in Ghana in the near future.

Source…www.sompaonline.com/Eric Murphy Asare