Ghana plans to roll out an HIV preventive drug beginning in 2026, marking a significant step in the West African nation’s efforts to reduce new infections and build domestic pharmaceutical capacity.
Dr. Prosper Akanbong, Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, said the drug—commonly referred to as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP—will initially be imported but is expected to be produced locally by 2027. The initiative follows a year in which the country recorded more than 15,000 new HIV infections.
"As a country, we have already integrated the vaccine as a central pillar of our HIV prevention strategy," Dr. Akanbong said during a press briefing on Tuesday. “Initially, we will secure it from external sources, but local pharmaceutical firms are positioning themselves to take over production.”
The Commission is working in partnership with Germany’s development agency, GIZ, to facilitate both the importation and eventual local manufacturing of the drug. Talks are underway with several domestic pharmaceutical companies to establish the necessary infrastructure and regulatory framework for production.
“Together with GIZ, we are on track, and in the latter part of 2026 or early 2027, we should be able to produce the vaccines for Ghana,” Dr. Akanbong said.
Health officials see the initiative as both a public health milestone and an opportunity to reduce dependence on imported medical supplies, a priority underscored during recent global supply chain disruptions.
The move comes amid growing calls across Africa for increased local production of essential medicines to address health security and economic resilience.
