Accra, June 17, 2023 – Ghana has awarded foreign governments and international organizations for their generous donations of COVID-19 vaccines and essential medical supplies, which have been instrumental in the country’s battle against the ongoing pandemic. The recognition took place during a prestigious awards ceremony held on Saturday, June 17th at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, had the privilege of presenting the awards to the international donor partners on behalf of the Government and People of Ghana. In her address, Minister Botchwey expressed deep appreciation for the unwavering support provided by these partners throughout the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic. She emphasized that their generous contributions of personal protective equipment (PPE), vaccines, and other essential medical supplies have further strengthened the bilateral and multilateral relations between Ghana and the international donor partners.
Reflecting on Ghana’s journey in combating the virus, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey highlighted the decline in confirmed COVID-19 cases since April 25th, 2020. She attributed this progress to the collaborative efforts undertaken by the Ghanaian Government, its people, and the invaluable support of international partners. As of June 7th, 2023, Ghana had reported a total of 171,653 cases since the outbreak began on March 12th, 2020, with 1,462 recorded deaths. The Minister also revealed that the country had administered an impressive 24,941,922 doses of COVID-19 vaccines through dedicated vaccination centers established nationwide as of May 2023.
Furthermore, Minister Botchwey shared news of the recently commissioned National Vaccine Manufacturing Plant, spearheaded by President H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in May 2023. This significant milestone was achieved through collaboration with key partners from the public and private sectors, academic and research institutions, as well as esteemed organizations like the World Health Organization, GIZ, and the European Union. The initiative aims to develop and manufacture vaccines locally for the African continent, highlighting the importance of self-sufficiency in the face of global health crises.
Hon. Ayorkor Botchwey stressed the collective efforts undertaken to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the benefits of global partnerships and the necessity of international cooperation. She called for a united front in transforming existing threats into opportunities and fostering resilience to ensure a robust recovery. Knowledge sharing among countries that have been at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic was highlighted as a crucial step toward achieving this goal.
Amb. Ramses Cleland, the Acting Chief Director for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, commended the international donor partners for their unwavering support and expressed hope that the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic would enable countries to adopt a unified approach in managing future global challenges, ultimately leading to sustainable and inclusive development.
In response to the recognition bestowed upon them, H.E. Marianna Gavriel, the Honorary Consul of Greece to Ghana, expressed sincere appreciation on behalf of the awardees. She conveyed gratitude to the Government and People of Ghana for the recognition and honor bestowed upon them. H.E. Gavriel further commended the people of Ghana for their warm hospitality and reaffirmed their dedication to working tirelessly to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Ghana and the international partners.
