ACCRA, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- A medical industry summit and exhibition opened in the Ghanaian capital of Accra Monday to promote investments in the medical industry across West Africa.
The 2024 West Africa Medical Industry Investment Summit and Expo, organized by the Health Community of West Africa (HCOWA), a Ghana-based company aimed at developing and providing medical solutions for all health facilities in West Africa, had more than 500 health professionals and over 150 exhibitors in attendance.
Ghanaian Health Minister Bernard Okoe Boye opened the three-day event, lauding HCOWA for putting together the impressive event and underscoring the need to advance investments into the health sector due to its capacity to promote the good health of people and communities and create jobs for individuals.
"Our journey to transform the healthcare landscape in Ghana and West Africa. This event reminds us of the critical role that healthcare plays in the development of our nations," Okoe Boye said, describing the event as a significant milestone.
The official reiterated Ghana's commitment to remaining at the forefront of creating an enabling environment for healthcare, innovation, and investment, adding that Ghana would continue to support the private sector to create opportunities and improve people's lives.
Tang Hong, chairman of the Ghana Association of Chinese Societies, lauded the fruitful cooperation between China and Africa in the area of health, noting that health cooperation has been a key focus of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which is in its 24th year, fostering regional collaboration and healthcare advancement between China and West Africa.
He said the fruitful partnership between Ghana and China in the medical industry is a shining example of the good results achievable when nations cooperate under a shared vision of improving the health and well-being of their people.
Tang observed that Ghana's strategic location in West Africa and its participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area give investors in Ghana access to the market of more than 300 million people.
"Let us build on this, fostering a partnership that not only addresses the immediate health needs of our citizens but also contributes to the long-term development of our health system," Tang added. ■
