Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem Nyarko has applauded Italy’s continued support for Ghana, particularly in the cocoa and health sectors.
His remarks followed a high-level bilateral meeting between the governments of Ghana and Italy aimed at deepening economic and development cooperation.
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The Deputy Minister expressed appreciation for Italy’s longstanding partnership and its renewed commitment to Ghana’s cocoa sector, a vital pillar of the country’s economy.
He described the gesture as timely and strategic, noting its potential to boost the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and strengthen the broader agricultural value chain.
Mr Ampem Nyarko also welcomed Italy’s plans to enhance support for Ghana’s health sector through initiatives in capacity building, digital infrastructure, and health systems strengthening.
He urged the Italian delegation to work closely with Ghanaian officials to fast-track these initiatives, ensuring they are reflected in the 2026 national budget.
In a separate meeting, Mr Thomas Ampem Nyarko, reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring the timely release of funds for essential health services to safeguard the well-being of Ghanaians and promote national productivity.
He gave the assurance during a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiatives (GAVI), Dr. Sania Nishtar, at the Ministry of Finance.
“The government’s commitment to the health sector remains steadfast. That is why we have uncapped the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), resulting in the release of GHS30 billion to support the sector,” he stated.
Mr Ampem Nyarko further noted that as Ghana prepares to transition from GAVI support by 2030, the government remains dedicated to positioning the country as a pharmaceutical hub within the sub-region.
“With the establishment of a pharmaceutical hub in Ghana, supported by GAVI, we aim to create employment opportunities and add value to our local resources — a crucial step for the Ghanaian economy,” he added.
Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who was present at the meeting, commended GAVI’s leadership for its pivotal role in strengthening Ghana’s vaccination programme. He observed that Ghana currently leads the sub-region in immunization coverage.
On her part, Dr. Sania Nishtar lauded the government’s efforts in prioritizing healthcare, describing Ghana’s vaccination initiative as a strong trust-based system that has especially encouraged more women to access immunization services.
She expressed optimism that the country would sustain its gains in vaccination coverage and avoid setbacks due to potential delays in funding. Dr. Nishtar also pledged her team’s readiness to provide transition engagement support to ensure a seamless process for Ghana.
