Copyright ghanaguardian
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana (PMAG) has appealed to the government to take urgent action to recover millions of dollars owed by some West African countries for medicines supplied by Ghanaian pharmaceutical companies. The Association warned that continued delays in payment could cripple local pharmaceutical businesses and undermine Ghana’s vision of becoming a pharmaceutical hub in the subregion. Speaking to the media in Accra on November 6, 2025, Dr. Samuel Amo Tobbin, Executive Chairman of the Tobinco Group of Companies, said debts owed by several Sahel countries had become a major concern for local manufacturers. “The President is talking about Ghana becoming a pharmaceutical hub. For that to happen, those of us who have already started supplying medicines to the sub-region need the funds owed to us to be recovered. The amounts involved are significant, though I cannot disclose specific figures,” Dr. Tobbin stated. He clarified that the outstanding debts are owed by governments in the subregion, not private entities. “We are referring to the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and other countries — except Nigeria,” he explained. Dr. Tobbin appealed to the Ghanaian government to intervene at the highest diplomatic level, suggesting that cooperation among heads of state could facilitate the recovery process. “If our President or Parliament can assist by engaging their counterparts in these countries, it would greatly help local manufacturers recover our funds,” he said. Responding to the concerns, Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, Chairman of Parliament’s Health Committee, acknowledged the difficulties facing the local pharmaceutical industry and pledged the Committee’s commitment to finding a sustainable solution. “He has highlighted some serious challenges. We intend to meet with the government, the sector minister, and senior officials at the Presidency to discuss the way forward,” Dr. Nawaane said. He added that future discussions would focus on strengthening the pharmaceutical sector, expanding investment, and enhancing its capacity for growth. “We will review these issues and explore how best to support the industry to grow both horizontally and vertically,” he noted.
