On Monday 3rd February 2025, the leadership of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) and the Lady Pharmacists Association of Ghana (LAPAG) paid a courtesy call on Her Excellency, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Ghana’s first female Vice President. The visit, held in her private office in Cantonments, served as both a congratulatory gesture and an opportunity to discuss key healthcare and social development issues.

Congratulatory Message and Women’s Empowerment

The highly powered delegation, led by PSGH President, Pharm. Dr. Samuel Kow Donkoh, also included the entire Standing Executive Committee of the PSGH, the LAPAG chairperson Pharm. Dr. Lucia Addae as well as other LAPAG representatives. The delegation expressed their profound admiration for Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s groundbreaking achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President. LAPAG, highlighted the significance of her ascent to high office, noting that it serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for young girls aspiring to leadership positions.

Introduction and Pledge of Support

As part of the visit, the PSGH president formally introduced the PSGH and LAPAG to the Vice President, outlining their roles in advancing pharmacy practice and public health in Ghana. LAPAG highlighted their ongoing social interventions, particularly those aimed at improving the well-being of women and girls. The delegation expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Office of the Vice President on initiatives that promote healthcare accessibility, women’s health, and youth development.

Advocacy for Community Pharmacy Integration into Primary Healthcare

A key issue raised during the meeting was the need to formally integrate community pharmacies into Ghana’s mainstream Primary Healthcare (PHC) system. The PSGH leadership emphasized that with over 5,000 community pharmacies nationwide and an expanding scope of pharmacist training, pharmacists are well-positioned to contribute significantly to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). They called on the Vice President to lend her support to this advocacy effort, which seeks to leverage pharmacies as accessible healthcare hubs for PHC.

Concerns Over the Ghana College of Pharmacists’ Premises

Another critical matter brought to the Vice President’s attention was the reported sale of the premises of the Ghana College of Pharmacists to private individuals. PSGH appealed for her intervention to help reclaim the property, stressing that the college plays a vital role in training specialist pharmacists who support healthcare delivery in Ghana. The delegation emphasized the long-term impact of specialist pharmacist training on strengthening the country’s healthcare system.

Vice President’s Response and Commitments

In her remarks, Vice President Opoku-Agyemang commended PSGH and LAPAG for their invaluable contributions to public health and national development. She underscored the importance of institutionalizing preventive healthcare and reinforcing primary healthcare systems to improve health outcomes nationwide. Addressing concerns over community pharmacy integration, she acknowledged the regulatory gaps regarding medication administration and assured the delegation of her commitment to engaging relevant stakeholders to address these issues.

Regarding the Ghana College of Pharmacists, the Vice President expressed confidence that the issue, having been submitted to the appropriate authorities, would be duly addressed.

Furthermore, she reiterated her strong support for LAPAG’s menstrual hygiene initiative, aligning it with her advocacy for menstrual hygiene and girls’ empowerment. She also emphasized the need for targeted interventions for boys, particularly in addressing challenges such as substance abuse and social reintegration. She stressed that youth development should be approached holistically, ensuring that both boys and girls receive structured support to thrive.