The German embassy in Ghana has recently announced it’s partnership with the government of Ghana in conducting a feasibility study on vaccine production in Ghana. If the outcome of the study proves favourable, Ghana will be the first African country to produce a covid-19 vaccine since the pandemic began.
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This comes after a virtual meeting of African leaders on Monday 12th April 2021 to discuss the way forward in dealing with the pandemic and its impact on the lives and economies of African countries. The consensus at the meeting was to work towards mitigating the effects of the pandemic and weaning the continent off foreign aids in that regard.
It will be recalled that India, the production base of the AstraZeneca vaccine distributed to “poor” countries through the Covax initiative put a hold on exportation which has greatly derailed, comparatively, the vaccination progress of African countries.
Production of vaccines in Ghana will mean employment for the vastly untapped scientific resources in the country and Africa as a whole, and an easy-to-access vaccination option for African countries.
In addition to this collaboration, German investors have commenced work on a “Bean to Bar” chocolate processing factory in Suhum, a 7million Euros investment which will provide 100 jobs. The factory is expected to be completed in 1 year.
