The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has hinted that the organization is introducing a waiver that will encourage the manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines in Africa in the next years.
During deliberations with the Trade Minister, K T Hammond yesterday, Dr. Ngozi Iweala touched on several interests of Africa and what WTO was doing to support and promote the interest of Africa. Key among the issues she raised was the introduction of a waiver that will allow the manufacturing of COVID vaccines in Africa in the next five years. This is aimed at addressing patency issues and also ensuring that the Continent does not rely on others to provide vaccines during pandemics.
On his part, Hon. K.T. Hammond thanked the Director-General of WTO for choosing Ghana as her first destination. He also congratulated her for being the first African and the first woman to assume the position.
He called on WTO to assist in the implementation of initiatives and strategies to support development.
Dr Okonjo-Iweala is currently in Ghana as part of her tour of three African countries including Kenya and Cote D’Ivoire also said the initiative will address patent rights issues.
The World Trade Organisation was established in January 1995 as an intergovernmental organization to regulate international trade with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Currently, it has a membership of 164 countries.
The WTO boss was initially supposed to have toured six African countries but due to some pressing issues in Geneva, she’s had to reduce it to three with Ghana being her first port of call.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Celestine Damoah