The Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Dr. Delese Mimi Darko, has been elected as the first Director-General of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) at the just ended 2nd Ordinary Session of the Conference of State Parties in Kigali, Rwanda.
In a highly competitive process that began with 149 applications following the opening of nominations in January 2025, Dr. Darko stood out as the best-qualified candidate to lead the continent’s foremost health regulatory body. Her election marks a historic achievement for both Ghana and Africa, as the AMA prepares to operationalize its mission of strengthening and harmonizing pharmaceutical regulation across the continent.
Dr. Darko brings to the role over 30 years of distinguished service in public health and medicines regulation. Having joined Ghana’s FDA in the early 1990s, she rose through the ranks to become its first female CEO, where she spearheaded groundbreaking regulatory reforms, strengthened pharmacovigilance, and earned international recognition for elevating the Authority to a World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 3 regulator which is among the highest standards globally.
Her leadership has been instrumental in building the FDA’s credibility across Africa and beyond, making Ghana a model for other national regulatory authorities. These accomplishments positioned her as a frontrunner in the AMA selection process, which aimed to identify a visionary leader capable of shaping Africa’s regulatory future.
The African Medicines Agency, established by the African Union in 2021, is a specialized agency mandated to improve access to quality, safe, and effective medical products across the continent. It is also expected to support local pharmaceutical manufacturing, combat counterfeit medicines, and enhance coordination during health emergencies.
Dr. Darko’s election is not only a personal victory but also a diplomatic win for Ghana.
As she takes on this new continental role, Dr. Darko is expected to steer the AMA toward greater regulatory integration, improved health outcomes, and a more self-reliant African pharmaceutical landscape.
