The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has once again cemented its position as a powerhouse in Ghana’s regulatory landscape.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, presenting the prestigious Overall Specified Entity of the Year award at the 2023 Public Enterprise League Table (PELT) Awards, commended the FDA for its unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health.
President Akufo-Addo applauded the FDA’s dedication to regulating food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and more, attributing its consecutive wins from 2021 to 2023 to a culture of excellence and innovation. “This achievement reflects your relentless pursuit of quality, innovation, and sound corporate governance,” the President stated at the event, themed “Developing the economic superhighway through enhanced corporate governance of specified entities.”
The annual PELT Awards, organized by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) in collaboration with the Public Enterprises Secretariat and the Ministry of Finance, celebrate outstanding governance in the public sector. Key metrics like innovation, efficiency, and accountability serve as the foundation for recognizing exceptional Specified Entities (SEs)—and the FDA didn’t just win, it dominated!
The FDA bagged multiple awards, including:
- Overall Specified Entity of the Year (Ultimate Award, symbolized by the Asesekwa stool),
- Most Efficient Other Specified Entity of the Year,
- Best Other Specified Entity – Dynamic Effect (Innovation) of the Year, and
- Other Specified Entity of the Year 2023.
These awards highlight the FDA’s critical role as an AUDA-NEPAD Africa Regional Center of Regulatory Excellence, positioning it as a shining example for regulatory authorities across Africa. The FDA has not only set the benchmark for regulatory success but also serves as a key resource for training and expertise on the continent in areas like pharmacovigilance and food safety.
A prime example of the FDA’s far-reaching impact is the recent BERC-Africa Project, funded by the EDCTP grant, which saw the FDA collaborate with institutions like the School of Public Health to train regulatory authorities across Africa. Their contributions to clinical trials, vaccine development, and good clinical practice are transforming health security across the continent.
Moreover, the FDA’s ambition stretches further through the ECOWAS RegECs Project, where the Authority leads initiatives to strengthen regulatory frameworks for clinical trials on critical health threats like Lassa fever, Ebola, and COVID-19 across West Africa.
The PELT Awards, introduced in June 2022, apply a “carrot and stick” approach to managing Specified Entities, ranking them based on performance against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) established with SIGA. These KPIs measure Governance, Innovation (Dynamic Effect), Management, Compliance, and Risk, among others.
Internal Interventions: Staying ahead of the game
The FDA’s award-winning performance is the result of a robust internal framework designed to keep the organization agile and ahead of its peers. Strategic planning, rigorous monitoring, and a strong culture of accountability have been central to the FDA’s success. Each Directorate within the Authority is held to high standards, with clear metrics to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
Key to this is the FDA’s close collaboration with SIGA, particularly in submitting timely and high-quality reports, ensuring transparency and effective oversight. Monthly reports, presented to the Executive Committee, play a vital role in identifying and addressing implementation bottlenecks early. This proactive approach helps the FDA stay on track with its quarterly targets, allowing for quick course corrections and continuous improvement.
In addition, regular performance reviews at the Directorate level, coupled with open communication channels between senior leadership and operational units, create a culture where innovation thrives, and challenges are swiftly addressed. This dynamic approach enables the FDA to consistently exceed expectations and remain at the forefront of regulatory excellence.
SIGA’s Director-General, Mr. John Boadu, emphasized the positive ripple effect of this awards scheme, highlighting a 6.65% improvement in performance across the 64 SEs evaluated. Minister of Public Enterprises, Joseph Cudjoe, praised the FDA and other entities, pointing to growing transparency and accountability within the public sector. He reiterated the President’s vision for Specified Entities to contribute 30% of GDP, urging continued efforts toward this goal.
Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere, Board Chair of GRIDCo, closed the ceremony with a rallying cry for corporate governance, urging Specified Entities to prioritize innovation and revenue generation for sustainable profitability.
The 2023 PELT Awards was a night to remember, with leaders from Ghana’s public and private sectors in attendance. As the FDA celebrates its continued dedication to excellence, its legacy of protecting public health shines brighter than ever.
