Yellow fever outbreak: Gov’t must prioritise local vaccine manufacturing – SEND Ghana

The government of Ghana must prioritize local vaccine manufacturing to bolster the nation's readiness for future disease outbreaks, according to SEND Ghana Country Director Harriet Nuamah Agyemang. The current suspected yellow fever situation underscores the necessity of developing domestic vaccine production capacity, she stated.

Ms. Agyemang emphasized that Ghana must evaluate the progress of the vaccine manufacturing initiative and identify any additional steps required to enhance local production capabilities. She highlighted that vaccine manufacturing has been a pressing concern for several years, with the previous administration establishing the vaccine institute to address this issue.

Ms. Agyemang implored the media and relevant stakeholders to investigate the institute's achievements and recommendations to the government. She also advocated for greater collaboration between government entities and private pharmaceutical manufacturers to facilitate the rapid production or acquisition of vaccines during emergency situations.

This call for stronger partnerships aims to bolster the country's emergency preparedness and minimize reliance on external sources during health crises. Health authorities are currently responding to suspected yellow fever cases across Ghana, with Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh reporting approximately 450 suspected cases between June and September 2026, with 3 confirmed cases thus far, primarily in the Upper West Region.