Dr. Delese A. A. Darko, the CEO of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), has called for enhanced partnerships between the FDA and industry stakeholders to foster effective collaboration within the food and medical products research sector.
Dr. Darko made this appeal during the inaugural FDA Scientific Forum held on Thursday, September 14, in Accra, Ghana. Operating under the theme “Protecting Public Health and Safety Through Partnerships,” the forum aimed to facilitate knowledge sharing among academic institutions, industry players, sister agencies, research institutions, and both current and potential collaborators of the FDA. Its overarching goal was to advance food and medical product safety, quality, and efficacy in Ghana.
The forum also sought to encourage discussions on the importance of partnerships in local vaccine research, development, and production.
Dr. Darko emphasized the need for stronger alliances to fulfill the FDA’s mandate and strengthen relationships with all stakeholders in the food and medical product sector. Such partnerships, she noted, are vital for mutual learning and improvement, ultimately benefiting consumers.
She stated, “We are in a fast-paced scientific world, and as a key player in the field of science in Ghana, our work requires close collaboration between the organization and higher learning institutions and industry players at the forefront of knowledge in research and development.”
The forum featured keynote addresses from the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman Manu, and the Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Prof Rita Dickson. It included concurrent panel discussions and poster presentations by researchers to live and online audiences.
Minister Kwaku Agyeman Manu recognized the importance of the forum in advancing the government’s research efforts in food and medical product safety. He praised the FDA for organizing the event, highlighting its role in bringing together stakeholders to enhance food and drug safety, a critical factor for economic growth.
He stated, “This forum presents a unique opportunity for knowledge sharing, and I want to commend the FDA for putting it together. Public safety is important for economic growth, and it is in these fora that stakeholders are able to bring ideas on board to enhance the safety of food and drugs. Let us seize this opportunity to forge stronger alliances for a safer and healthier Ghana.”
Supported by partners GIZ, USAID, Pharmanova, WHO, and Atlantic Lifesciences, the FDA hosted the first Scientific Forum as part of its strategic objectives to promote food and medicine safety governance through interagency collaboration. The insights gained from the forum are expected to lead to implementation strategies that enhance the FDA’s role as the regulator of food and medicines in Ghana.
