The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) honoured 23 distinguished individuals and organisations at the inaugural Pharma Excellence Awards held in Accra.
The awards celebrated outstanding achievements in the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare sector, acknowledging excellence across community and hospital pharmacy, academia, manufacturing, regulation and public health.
The prestigious event brought together healthcare professionals, industry leaders, government officials and key stakeholders.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah-Akandoh, reiterated government’s commitment to promoting local pharmaceutical manufacturing of essential medicines and vaccines. This, he said, is part of broader efforts to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen national medicine security.
He also reaffirmed government’s pledge to establish a National Bioequivalence Centre and a Pharmaceutical Research Institute to support scientific research and ensure quality assurance.
“These interventions form part of the agenda to position Ghana as a pharmaceutical hub in Africa through targetted investment incentives and regulatory reforms,” the minister said.
Commending PSGH for initiating the awards, Mr. Mintah-Akandoh described the platform as visionary, saying: “This platform not only uplifts excellence but also strengthens our collective resolve to advance healthcare delivery in this country”.
He added: “Tonight, we honour distinction – in service, innovation, academic and clinical research, leadership and in the shared mission of delivering quality healthcare to our people. The 23 diverse award categories reflect the richness and depth of pharmacy practice”.
Pharmaceutical sector key to industrial transformation
Also addressing the gathering, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, underscored the pharmaceutical sector’s strategic role in national development.
“We view the pharmaceutical sector not only through the lens of public health but as a strategic pillar of our industrial transformation agenda,” she said.
Drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, she stressed the need for local pharmaceutical production and resilient supply chains, noting that “health security is indeed a matter of national security”.
She urged stakeholders to pursue inclusive, innovative and globally competitive pharmaceutical practices. “Let us encourage public-private partnerships, invest in research and development and leverage digital health technologies to transform pharmaceutical care in Ghana,” she added.
PSGH upholds professional standards
President-PSGH Dr. Samuel Kow Donkoh described the ceremony as a milestone in recognising the often-overlooked efforts of pharmaceutical professionals.
“This is a moment to celebrate those who work tirelessly to uphold quality, safety and efficacy in pharmaceutical products and services,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the Society’s commitment to ethical standards, professional development and policy advocacy to support local enterprises.
Top Honours
Pharm. Dr Kofi Nsiah-Poku was named CEO of the Year (Ernest Bediako Sampong Award), while Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Ltd. was adjudged Pharmaceutical Company of the Year, 2025.
Other notable winners included Kinapharma Ltd. for Excellence in Pharma: Manufacturing, Viatris as Multinational Company of the Year and The Bank Hospital Pharmacy, which took home the Hospital Pharmacy of the Year award. The School of Pharmacy, University of Ghana, won the Prof. A.N. Tackie Award for Excellence in Pharma-Education.
