President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has charged the newly inaugurated governing board of the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) to work hard to make Ghana the vaccine hub of Africa.
Addressing the 13-member board at the Jubilee House in Accra after swearing them into office yesterday, Akufo-Addo observed that members of the board have carefully been chosen to execute the mandate at hand.
“The task ahead of you is a challenging one and it is my expectation and hope that you will be up to it. You have my full support to undertake all that is required to make our nation the vaccine manufacturing hub not only in West Africa, but also on the entire African continent.
“Indeed, much to the realisation of this objective, rest squarely on your collective shoulders and I am happy about your choice to serve your country in this capacity,” Akufo-Addo said.
“You have been carefully chosen because of your expertise, knowledge and accomplishments in the areas of concern of vaccine development,” he added.
Dream team
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.
NVI office complex
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.
The board
The governing board of the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) is chaired by Dr. Anarfi Asamoa-Baah. The other members are Prof. William Kwabena Ampofo, chief executive officer of the NVI; Dr Baffour-Awuah, representative of the Ministry of Health; Mustapha Tawiah Kumah, representative of the Ministry of Trade and Industry; Dr Daniel Gyingiri Achel, representative of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; and Fredrica Sala Illiasu, representative of the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice.
The rest are Dr Delese Darko, representative of the Food and Drugs Authority; Professor Alex Dodoo, representative of Ghana Standards Authority; Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, representative of the Ghana Health Service; Kofi Nsiah-Poku, representative of the President of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana; Professor Kofi Opoku Nti, President of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences; Professor Gordon A. Awandare, Nominee of the Minister of Health; and Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson, Nominee of the Minister of Health.
