He highlighted a significant gap in demand that local pharma­ceutical firms should aim to fill.

For example, he noted that the country relied on imports for 70 percent of its pharmaceutical requirements due to insufficient local production.

Speaking at the maiden Phar­ma Excellence Awards, organized by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, Mr Akandoh emphasized that in line with the vision for health transformation, the 2024 NDC manifesto outlined a number of initiatives to pharmacies and growth in the pharmaceutical sector.

The policies, he mentioned, include promoting local phar­maceutical manufacturing to reduce imports of pharmaceutical products, positioning Ghana as pharmaceutical hub in West Africa through targeted investment incen­tives and regulatory reforms, and establishment of a pharmaceutical research institute to advance scien­tific research and quality assurance.

In all, 23 organisations and individuals were awarded for their exceptional performance to the growth of the pharmaceutical industry.

Tobinco Pharmaceutical Company Limited took the overall Company of the Year award, the Chief Executive Officer of Year (Ernest Bediako Sarpong) 2025 Award went to Dr Kofi Nsi­ah-Poku, Excellence in Pharma Research: Clinical Trial Facility of the Year 2025 went to Kintampo Health Research Centre and Excel­lence in Pharma Regulation (T. C. Corquaye Award) 2025 was taken by Foods and Drugs Authority (FDA) Clinical Trials Department.

Mr Akandoh, who delivered the keynote address, said the objec­tive of the government was make the country the heart of pharma­ceuticals in the Sub-region.

Also,he emphasised that the pharmaceutical industry remained crucial to the development of the Ghanaian economy.

To this end, Akandoh said, the Ministry of Health and the gov­ernment would support the sector to thrive.

He commended the PSGH for the awards and stated that it was a brilliant initiative.

He said the maiden PSGH Pharma Excellence Award Gala Night, was historic and a celebra­tion of the very best in pharma­ceutical practice in Ghana.

“This platform not only uplifts excellence, but also strengthens our collective resolve to advance healthcare in this country,” the Minister stated.

In furtherance, he said the award to honour the nation for service, innovation, academic and clinical research, leadership, in the shared mission to deliver quality healthcare for the people was commendable.

The Minister of Trade, Agri-business and Industry, Eliz­abeth Ofosu-Adjare, in remarks made on her behalf, added that the pharmaceutical industry re­mained a priority to the govern­ment.

She said her ministry would continue to initiate policies to spur the growth of the pharma­ceutical industry.

The President of PSGH, Dr Samuel Kow Donkoh, mentioned that the maiden awards was to honour excellence.

He said the award was to recognise all the players in the in­dustry from research, production, regulatory, quality control, sales, marketing and distribution.

Mr Donkoh said the selection of the winners of the awards went through a rigorous evalua­tion and selection process.