COVID-19 has produced the right opportunity for Ghana to produce its own medicines and medical equipment and stop relying on imports, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said.
In his 8th address on the measures taken on the COVID-19 pandemic, the President thus urged the pharmaceutical industry to intensify its research and growth in such a way that the nation will no longer have to import medicine.
“We have to intensify the research in the pharmaceutical industry.
We would generate our own medicine and medical supplies so we no longer depend on imports,” he said.
The President added that the pharmaceutical industry has helped in the fight against the novel Coronavirus by providing PPE with the aid of government.
He further indicated that the Minister of Health has issued a directive for the production of face masks locally.
“I am happy to note that the hardworking Minister of Health, has, as of yesterday, April 25, 2020, issued directives to guide the production and mandatory wearing of face masks. We should all familiarise ourselves with them, and apply them.”
