The German Development Cooperation (GIZ) has presented office furniture and information and communication technology equipment to two pharmaceutical manufacturing associations to enhance their operational capacity and service delivery to members. 

The equipment — valued at about GH¢530,000 (around EUR 42,000) — was provided through the PharmaVax Ghana Programme.

The items, including office furniture, desktop and laptop computers, printers and digital communication tools, are to improve the working environment and digital capabilities of the secretariats of both associations.

The support forms part of a broader multi-partner collaboration co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under the Team Europe Initiative MAV+ (Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies in Africa). 

Context

The implementing agency, GIZ, presented the equipment and furniture to the two associations, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana (PMAG) and the Small-Scale Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana (SSPMAG), last Thursday at the PMAG office in Accra.

The occasion brought together representatives from the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI), the private sector, and international partners.

As key representatives of Ghana’s pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, PMAG and SSPMAG play a central role in strengthening local production.

PMAG represents around 40 medium- to large-scale manufacturers while SSPMAG represents approximately 120 small-scale pharmaceutical manufacturers across the country, particularly those producing essential over-the-counter medicines.

Both associations are critical to advancing Ghana’s ambition to expand domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports.

Presentation

The Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy in Accra, Johanna Klotz, and the Team Leader at the Delegation of the EU to Ghana, Timothy Dolan, presented the items.

PMAG was represented by its President, Dr Samuel Tobbin, and other members of the Executive Committee, while SSPMAG was represented by Dr Kwame Asante and Dr David Addo.

Mr Klotz said the items were expected to enable more efficient coordination, stronger advocacy and enhanced services for their member companies.

He said the support was also part of broader efforts under the PharmaVax Ghana Programme to strengthen the pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem, with a particular emphasis on empowering private sector organisations.

Mr Dolan added that by reinforcing the institutional capacity of PMAG and SSPMAG, the programme was contributing to building a more resilient and competitive pharmaceutical sector in the country.

“Strengthening industry associations is seen as a key lever for improving access to quality medicines, fostering job creation, and driving long-term sector growth,” he stressed.

Dr Tobbin and the other representatives from the association took turns to thank the German partners for the invaluable support.

The German and EU team, after the handing over ceremony, toured the production facilities of Entrance Pharmaceuticals & Research Centre, one of Ghana’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturers.