The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has taken a decisive step in advancing Ghana’s vaccine development ambitions through a strategic engagement with international experts from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and GFA Consulting Group GmbH.
On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences (SBBS) Auditorium at Sokode-Lokoe, Ho, hosted a pivotal programme under the Biomanufacturing Training Assessment (BioMAT), part of the broader PharmaVax Ghana initiative. Co-financed by the European Union and the Government of Germany, the programme aims to strengthen Ghana’s vaccine production capacity by investing in workforce development and infrastructure.
The engagement centered on evaluating UHAS’ preparedness to deliver specialized training in vaccine science and biomanufacturing. Experts conducted a comprehensive review of the University’s technical capabilities, human resources and institutional potential. The visit included guided tours of laboratories at SBBS and the School of Pharmacy (SOP), with particular focus on molecular diagnostics platforms, shared laboratory systems and emerging fields such as translational vaccinology.
Discussions also addressed governance frameworks for shared equipment, sustainable training delivery models and strategies for building long-term industry partnerships to support Ghana’s biopharmaceutical sector.
The visiting team was led by Mwai Ngibuini, Managing Partner at EMKEI Innovations and BioMAT International Short-Term Expert. He was joined by Aristotle Nikoi, Technical Advisor for Governance and Regulation with the GIZ PharmaVax Ghana Programme; Jonathan Martey, Team Lead for Skills Development at GFA Consulting Group GmbH; and Stephen Kemetse, Financial Sustainability Expert with the GIZ PharmaVax Ghana Programme.
Representing UHAS was Professor Seth Kwabena Amponsah, Dean of SBBS, alongside Professor Theophilus K. E. Adiku, former Dean of SBBS; Professor Clement Okraku Tettey, Head of Department of Biomedical Sciences, SBBS; Professor Cornelius Dodoo, Head of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, SOP; Dr. Reuben Ayivor-Djane of SBBS; and Dr. Emmanuel Orman, Acting Head of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, SOP.
The exercise marks a significant milestone in UHAS’ commitment to advancing Ghana’s biopharmaceutical sector. By fostering sustained international collaboration and channeling targeted investment into training and research infrastructure, UHAS continues to position itself as a key contributor to building a robust vaccine manufacturing workforce and innovation ecosystem in Ghana
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