“From the view point of being a competitive or comparative hub for manufacturing, I think we are convinced that we can develop Ghana into a new manufacturing hub, but there are certain critical requirements that will determine whether we succeed or fail as the manufacturing hub for West Africa,” he said.

Mr Kyerematen was speaking at the Maiden Fellows' Ball organised by the West Africa Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP) - Ghana Chapter and Ghana College of Pharmacists (GCP) held under the theme: " Medicines and Wealth Creation: Making Ghana the Hub of Pharmaceuticals production”.

The Minister said the existing manufacturing capacity has made Ghana the second most vibrant manufacturing sector in the whole of West Africa.He said 70 percent of pharmaceutical products used in the country were imported adding that this is worrying and should be addressed by enhancing the manufacturing capacity to be able to meet the demand for pharmaceutical products in the country.

"Local production also constitutes about 33 per cent of all the national essential medical requirement this means that we already have the capacity to supply a significant part of our national requirement," he said.

Mr Kyerematen said for Ghana to achieve this, it is important for the country to have a good health care system adding that government has laid down plans to ensure a good health care system including improving on the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Pharmacist Oscar Cofie Bruce, President of the WAPCP - Ghana Chapter, said the ball was an opportunity for fellows of both institutions to have fun, socialize and reflect on making the industry better.

"This ball is intended as a balm to soothe the pain that fellows may have carried as a result of hard work over the past one year," he said.Professor Eric Woode, President of the GCP, commended fellows for their hard work throughout the year and urged them to do more in the coming year.

The event was attended by fellows of the two institutions, their families and friends as well as other diplomats, whilst the GCP also introduced its pioneer members.The WAPCP is a professional college commissioned through an ECOWAS Protocol (A/P2/7/87) to advance the knowledge and skills of practising pharmacists and also to assist in the harmonization of pharmacy practice and regulation within the sub region.

The GCP was also established by section 84 to 113 of Act 833,2011 to provide specialist training in Pharmacy and related disciplines.Both institutions confer professional qualifications on its fellows.