Government plans 2,000-acre pharmaceutical innovation park in Osudoku to boost local drug production

The Ghanaian government is set to develop a 2,000-acre pharmaceutical innovation park in the Osudoku region. This project, known as the Legon Pharmaceutical Innovation Park, is part of the 24-Hour Economy Authority's strategy to lessen the nation's reliance on imported medicines and bolster domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing. The park aims to create an integrated ecosystem for pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical-device production, herbal medicine and research and development.

Kafui Linda Abbah Foli, Head of Technical Delivery and Design at the 24-Hour Economy Authority, mentioned that the park would offer crucial infrastructure such as roads, water, electricity, wastewater treatment and specialized pharmaceutical effluent treatment facilities. By providing this bulk infrastructure in a dedicated industrial ecosystem, the park intends to simplify the establishment and expansion of pharmaceutical operations for manufacturers and entrepreneurs.

Currently, Ghana imports around 70% of its pharmaceutical requirements, including finished medicines, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients. The park's main objective is to cover the entire pharmaceutical value chain and minimize the country's exposure to disruptions in global supply chains. It is also expected to support the domestic production of medical devices, such as HIV and malaria test kits, which are largely imported at present.

The Authority has already concluded pre-feasibility studies for the project and is now preparing for a comprehensive feasibility study focusing on the park's design and master planning. Anchor investors and potential tenants, including existing pharmaceutical manufacturers in Ghana and international companies from India, China, and the United States, have been identified. Additionally, Ghanaian health professionals living abroad have shown interest in the project.

Aside from conventional industrial park features, the park will include housing facilities for workers and other supporting infrastructure to create a comprehensive pharmaceutical ecosystem. The Authority aspires to create up to 20,000 jobs within the first five years of the park's development. The project's land acquisition will involve about 2,000 acres of land in the Osudoku area.

The Authority employs a participatory land acquisition model, wherein landowners and communities receive rental income and can even become shareholders in the park. This approach ensures that the communities directly benefit from the economic activity generated by the park.

The pharmaceutical park holds potential in addressing Ghana's changing disease burden. While infectious diseases like malaria remain a significant public health concern, non-communicable diseases, including diabetes and stroke, are increasingly prevalent in the country. The park could attract manufacturers producing medicines for these conditions, thereby reducing Ghana's dependence on imported drugs and potentially alleviating pressure on healthcare expenditure.

Additionally, the park may strengthen Ghana's ability to maintain access to essential medicines and medical products during future global health emergencies.