Health Minister Honourable Mintah Akandoh and Chargé d’Affaires Rolf Olson of the United States Embassy have held discussions on exploring opportunities to strengthen collaboration in fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.

The two held discussions on August 26 to discuss ongoing U.S. health assistance to Ghana and the Mahama Administration’s priorities in the health sector. This reaffirms the shared commitment to improving health in Ghana and strengthening the U.S.-Ghana partnership in health.

Govt’s effort to combat Malaria

Ghana has successfully reduced deaths caused by malaria by over 97% between 2014 and 2024, marking a major milestone in the country’s health sector.

In addition to the sharp decline in malaria-related deaths, outpatient department (OPD) cases have dropped by three per cent, while hospital admissions due to malaria have decreased by 17%.

At an event to commemorate the 2025 World Malaria Day, the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, highlighted Ghana’s progress and outlined future goals. He said the country’s National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan (2023 to 2028) was targeting a further 51% reduction in deaths caused by malaria.

In a speech read on his behalf by the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the minister said under the strategic plan, there was also a target to reduce the under-five malaria case fatality rate by 36% in 2024, using 2022 as the baseline. He also emphasized plans to ensure a steady roll-out of the malaria vaccine with over 70% coverage for the first dose.

Tackling Malaria cases in Africa

Pharmaceutical company Novartis has approved a malaria treatment for infants. Some African countries are expected to receive the rollout of treatments later this year. This information was included in a press release by Novartis on Tuesday, July 8.

According to the release, eight African countries, including Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda collaborated on the clinical trials for the newly approved medicine.

“Together with our partners, we are proud to have gone further to develop the first clinically proven malaria treatment for newborns and young babies, ensuring even the smallest and most vulnerable can finally receive the care they deserve,” parts of the release read.

Per reports, infants weighing less than 4.5 kilograms have long had no approved malaria treatment. Previously, infants received malaria treatments formulated for older children, which increased the risk of adverse effects.

The new medication is specially dosed to meet the needs of the smallest patients. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that in 2023, 83 countries recorded 597,000 malaria-related deaths.

Africa is home to 94% of global malaria cases, killing children under 5 years old. Meanwhile, the United Nations children's organization, UNICEF, has rolled out the R21/Matrix-M vaccine in Mali to commerorate World Malaria Day. This makes Mali the 20th country to roll out the vaccine since its launch.

World Malaria Day is commemorated annually on April 25 to raise awareness of the global effort to control and eventually eradicate malaria. The day also draws attention to the need for sustained investment and political commitment towards malaria prevention and control.

Ghana’s fight against HIV

Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, has stated that Ghana requires $300 million annually to achieve its HIV/AIDS elimination target by 2030.

According to the Commission, over 500,000 people in Ghana are currently living with HIV/AIDS. The national HIV prevalence rate stands at approximately 1.7%, with regional disparities.

Ghana is facing a concerning rise in HIV-related deaths, with new data revealing a staggering 33% increase in fatalities in 2023.

According to reports from the Ghana AIDS Commission, 12,480 Ghanaians lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses in 2023, compared to 9,359 deaths recorded in 2022. Unfortunately, deaths resulting from AIDS recorded for persons of all ages were 9,359.

Dr. Atuahene has called for increased efforts to combat AIDS, particularly among the economically active population aged 15 to 49, emphasizing that addressing the AIDS epidemic should be a national priority in Ghana.

He stressed the importance of education, awareness, and access to preventive measures and treatment services in reducing new infections and preventing HIV-related deaths.

As Ghana grapples with the impact of HIV/AIDS, there is an urgent need for coordinated action from government agencies, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, and the private sector to curb the spread of the virus and improve outcomes for those affected.

Vaccine procurement

Health Minister Mr Mintah Akandoh, has noted that the government will require approximately $25 million to procure all necessary vaccines for the country this year.

“It is instructive to note that at this point in time, our partners who assist us in procuring most of our vaccines are gradually fading. This year alone, we need not less than $25 million to import vaccines into this country,” the minister stated while speaking at a meeting with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana on Monday, April 14.

President John Dramani Mahama has pledged government support to accelerate local vaccine manufacturing in Ghana, aiming to position the country as a regional hub.

This was announced by the Ministry of Health on their Facebook page in the aftermath of the Ghana Vaccine Manufacturing Investment Forum under the theme: “Mobilising Sustainable Financing to Accelerate Vaccine Development and Manufacturing in Ghana,” where the president served as Special Guest of Honour.

According to the information shared on the Ministry’s page, President John Dramani Mahama, pledged government support to accelerate local vaccine manufacturing in Ghana, aiming to position the country as a regional hub. He announced an additional GHC50 million in seed capital for the National Vaccine Institute, bringing total government funding to GHC75 million.

He noted that this investment is intended to address challenges in vaccine manufacturing, particularly access to financing, and to leverage Ghana's progress in health regulation, research, and local pharmaceutical production. The President added that the government’s support for vaccine manufacturing aligns with global efforts to strengthen health systems and promote sustainable development.

On Wednesday August 3, 2025, the Ministry of Health, in partnership with the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), hosted the Ghana Vaccine Manufacturing Investment Forum.

The event brought together a cross-section of government officials, development partners, pharmaceutical manufacturers, research institutions, and local and international financial institutions to explore strategies for funding Ghana’s vaccine production ambitions.

Delivering the keynote address, the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, emphasized Ghana’s determination to move from dependency to self-reliance in vaccine access and production. “Ghana will not beg for vaccines. Ghana will make them,” he declared.

The Minister outlined the urgent need for $115 million in financing to support two key domestic manufacturers, DEK Vaccines Ltd and Atlantic Lifesciences Ltd, to reach operational scale.

He also noted that Ghana’s scientific institutions including Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, KCCR, and CSIR are already developing vaccine candidates and require capital to advance their work.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with both local and international stakeholders to realize Ghana’s vision of vaccine self-sufficiency and pandemic preparedness. “The next pandemic will not wait. But neither will Ghana. We are ready to manufacture, ready to regulate, and ready to lead,” the Minister concluded.