Cape Coast, Ghana – September 24, 2025:
The immediate past President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), Dr (Pharm) Samuel Kow Donkoh, has called on the government to integrate the local pharmaceutical industry into Ghana’s 24-hour economy agenda as a pathway to medicine security, job creation, and improved healthcare delivery.
Delivering his address at the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Society at the University of Cape Coast, Dr. Donkoh noted that Ghana currently imports more than 70% of its medicines, a situation that exposes the country to shortages, high prices, and external shocks.
“The 24-hour economy presents an opportunity to scale up local pharmaceutical manufacturing, expand production shifts, and ensure continuous supply of essential medicines. This will not only safeguard public health but also create thousands of jobs for pharmacists, scientists, and technicians,” he stated.
He added that sustained investments in round-the-clock medicine production would reduce Ghana’s dependence on foreign imports, strengthen supply chains, and position the country as a hub for pharmaceutical exports within the subregion.
The AGM, themed “Strengthening Pharmacy for Primary Healthcare,” drew participants from across the health sector, industry, academia, and civil society.
Dr. Donkoh urged government to seize the 24-hour economy initiative as a catalyst for healthcare transformation:
“When we run factories day and night to produce our own medicines, we protect lives, create jobs, and build resilience. Medicine security is national security—and the 24-hour economy is the way forward.”