President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged the National Vaccine Institute’s (NVI) newly inaugurated governing board to work competently and make Ghana the vaccine powerhouse of Africa.
Addressing the 13-member board at the Jubilee House in Accra after swearing them in on Wednesday (10 May 2023), Akufo-Addo stated that members of the board were
“The task ahead of you is difficult, and it is my expectation and hope that you will be able to complete it.” You have my complete support in doing everything possible to make our country the vaccine production centre not only of West Africa but of the whole African continent.
“Indeed, much of the responsibility for achieving this goal rests squarely on your collective shoulders, and I am grateful for your decision to serve your country in this capacity,” Akufo-Addo added.
“You have been carefully chosen because of your expertise, knowledge, and accomplishments in the areas of concern for vaccine development,” he continued.
In his response, Dr Anarfi Asamoa-Baah, the chairman of the governing board registered his appreciation to the president for their nomination and appointment to the very first board of the national vaccine institute.
He indicated that he is excited about the composition of the board he will be working with, noting that, they will do their very best to make the vision of President Akufo-Addo a reality.
“It is fair to say that the vaccine institute is one of the legacies of our COVID-19 response. As a board, our assignment is well cut-out for us. We are to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the key functions of the institute as outlined by the president,” Dr. Asamoa-Baah said.
“I am delighted to be working with a dream team and we pledge to do our
best. We are encouraged and inspired that in the performance of our duty, we can count on your [President Akufo-Addo] support, the support of the presidency and of the health ministry,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo after inaugurating the board went on to commission the new ultra-modern office complex of the National Vaccine Institute, located on the 5th avenue extension in Cantonments, Accra. It will spearhead the development and manufacture of vaccines in Ghana.
“I charge the National Vaccine Institute and the supervising ministry, the Ministry of Health, to maintain this building with great care and ensure that it is used to facilitate and coordinate all aspects of vaccine development and manufacturing in Ghana,” Akufo-Addo said before commissioning the building.
Dr. Anarfi Asamoa-Baah serves as the chairman of the National Vaccine Institute’s (NVI) governing board. The other members are Fredrica Sala Illiasu, a representative of the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, Prof. William Kwabena Ampofo, chief executive officer of the NVI, Dr. Baffour-Awuah, a representative of the Ministry of Health, Mustapha Tawiah Kumah, a representative of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The others are Professor Alex Dodoo of the Ghana Standards Authority, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye of the Ghana Health Service, Kofi Nsiah-Poku of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana, Professor Kofi Opoku Nti of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Professor Gordon A. Awandare, a nominee of the Minister of Health, and Prof. R. Delese Darko of the Food and Drugs Authority.
