Speaking at a training workshop for journalists on Vaccine Communication in Accra, Mr Patrick Owusu-Danso, the Acting Director of the FDA said Ghana’s vaccine regulatory framework met international best practices and aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

The training that brought together more than 30 journalists across the Country, equipped the participants with knowledge and information on vaccines to better understand the process and help clear negative narrative about vaccines.

Mr Danso noted that every vaccine authorised for use in the country went through rigorous evaluation process to ensure its safety, efficacy, and quality before reaching the public.
“Our regulatory environment is built on strict scientific principles.

‘No vaccine is approved in Ghana without comprehensive assessments, including laboratory testing, clinical data review, and post-market surveillance,” Mr Danso stated.
He added that the FDA continued to strengthen its oversight mechanisms as Ghana moved toward local vaccine production.

With the establishment of the National Vaccine Institute and the country is planning to produce vaccines such as tetanus and COVID-19 locally, and the FDA has intensified monitoring systems and capacity building to ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

“The FDA plays a central role in ensuring that vaccines made in Ghana meet global standards.
‘We are not only protecting Ghanaians but also ensuring that our locally produced vaccines can compete and be accepted internationally,” he added.

Public health experts and international partners have commended Ghana’s regulatory progress, describing it as one of the most robust systems in Africa.

The WHO recently recognised the FDA as a “maturity level three” regulatory authority, one of only a few on the Continent signifying its advanced regulatory capacity.

Mr Danso assured the public that the FDA will continue to maintain transparency, scientific rigor, and independence in its operations.
He urged the citizens to have confidence in the vaccines available in the country, stressing that “every vaccine that reaches a Ghanaian has passed through one of the most stringent regulatory processes in the region.”

The FDA’s stance reinforces Ghana’s broader health agenda ensuring vaccine safety, promoting local manufacturing, and building a resilient system capable of responding to both national and global health challenges.