BY GRACE ZIGAH
Ghana has secured a place among eight countries worldwide selected to pilot a new World Health Organisation (WHO) benchmarking tool aimed at strengthening institutional capacity for high-quality clinical trials, in a development expected to support the country’s ambitions in health research, vaccine development and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The pilot is being led in Ghana by the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) and is designed to help participating institutions identify both their existing strengths and gaps in the systems required to conduct ethical, efficient and scientifically rigorous clinical research.
Unlike conventional assessments that focus largely on the number of clinical trials conducted, the draft WHO framework takes a broader approach by examining the institutional systems and capabilities that make quality clinical research possible.
The tool assesses seven functional areas, including patient engagement, scientific research design, regulatory oversight, data management, trial operations, leadership and infrastructure. It contains 32 functional objectives and 112 specific outcomes.
The Ghana pilot has already moved beyond the preparatory stage. The NVI and WHO organised a training workshop in Ho in the Volta Region to introduce institutional teams to the framework and prepare them for the self-assessment process. A comprehensive assessment was subsequently conducted from August 10 to 13, 2026, involving institutions from different parts of the country.
Among the participating institutions are the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana Medical Centre, West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Revna Bioscience, University of Cape Coast and Enchi Government Hospital, Dodowa Health Research Centre, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Centre for Plant Medicine Research, KNUST’s Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, KNUST IVI–Agogo, Kintampo Health Research Centre, University for Development Studies and Navrongo Health Research Centre.
Officials of the National Vaccine Institute stressed that the exercise is not a competition or ranking system for the participating institutions. Rather, it is intended to provide a basis for institutional capacity development and continuous improvement across Ghana’s clinical research ecosystem.
NVI Chief Executive Officer, Dr Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, linked the initiative to Ghana’s longer-term objective of developing domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity.
He explained that the country is starting with fill-and-finish operations as a practical entry point, while working towards full end-to-end vaccine manufacturing.
He said the expertise available within Ghana’s research institutions provides an important foundation for identifying institutional weaknesses and building the capacity required for the next stage of the country’s scientific and manufacturing ambitions.
Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, emphasised the importance of strengthening institutional systems as part of the pursuit of greater health sovereignty.
She noted that research conducted outside Africa does not always adequately reflect the health needs and realities of African populations.
