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| President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commissioning the plant |
ACCRA, April 23 (NNN-GNA) — Ghana President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Friday commissioned a 35 million dollar pharmaceutical manufacturing plant, as part of wider efforts to boost the local manufacture of serum and vaccines.
The plant, situated at Larkpleku, in the Prampram district of the Greater Accra Region, belongs to the Atlantic Lifesciences Limited, a company operating under the Government’s flagship One District, One Factory Programme.
Atlantic Lifesciences are the major importers and suppliers of anti-snake serum and anti-rabies vaccine in the West African region.
The ultra-modern plant has one of the highest production capacities in West Africa. It would manufacture sterile infusions and anaesthetic medicines, vaccines, and ear, eye and nasal drops for the Ghanaian and West African markets.
It would also produce anti-snake, anti-rabies, anti-diphtheria, anti-scorpion, anti-tetanus, & anti-gangrene products.
Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company added the manufacturing of some essential medicines to support the fight against COVID-19 and the Government’s self-reliance policy.
Speaking at the commissioning, President Akufo-Addo said the ceremony was a fulfilment of the promise by the government, in partnership with the private sector, to set up at least one medium to large scale enterprise in every district of Ghana.
He said the plant, the 107th to be built under the 1D-1F initiative, would enhance the country’s plan to be self-reliant in the production of essential medicines and equipment, and vaccines.
The President was happy that the factory would create some 380 direct jobs and when fully operational it will generate additional 400 direct jobs.
He said the facility would also create a total of 2,500 indirect jobs for the people of the area.
President Akufo-Addo said the Ministry of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with Ghana EXIM Bank and Standard Chartered Bank, had since 2017 supported the company to benefit from the 1D1F Programme. — NNN-GNA
