The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has announced that African countries have been granted approval to produce Covid-19 vaccines for the next five years.

0

She noted that it was inappropriate that 99% of vaccinations used in Africa are imported.

1

As a result, the WTO, after engagement with other countries, has granted African countries permission to produce their own vaccines without worrying about being accused of patent infringement.

2

"We were also able at this ministerial to have an agreement to introduce more flexibilities, a waiver on the patent of vaccines so that African countries and other countries can manufacture their vaccines.

3

It is not proper that we import 99% of the vaccines we use in the continent and 90% are other pharmaceuticals," she stated.

4

Dr Ngozi made this known during a meeting with Ghana’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Kobina Tahir Hammond.

5

She emphasised that the responsibilities of the WTO include protecting the laws and regulations that control international trade and improving people's lives.

6

The WTO boss urged governments to expedite the ratification of a contract to ban dangerous fishing compounds worth $22 million that have an impact on the country's fisheries industry.

7

Mr Hammond, on his part, called for increased capacity so that undeveloped countries could actively engage in WTO discussions and gain from the Multilateral Trading System (MTS). He also proposed the restoration of a fully operational two-tier dispute settlement structure, namely Panels and the Appellate Body, to provide the MTS with the necessary predictability and assurance.

8

Furthermore, he called for increased transparency in government trade policies, particularly with regard to export bans and limitations as seen during the height of the COVID-19 issue.

9

10

Source: The Independent Ghana

11