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The government has commended Dr Ernest Bediako Sampong, founder of Ernest Chemists Limited, for four decades of sustained leadership that has helped shape Ghana’s pharmaceutical industry and reduce reliance on imported medicines.
The recognition came as the company launched activities to mark its 40th anniversary at a ceremony held in Accra on Friday, bringing together government officials, industry stakeholders, and partners from across the health sector.
Minister of Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh described Dr Sampong’s journey as a model of vision and perseverance, noting that Ernest Chemists has grown from a local enterprise into a company whose products meet international quality standards. His remarks were delivered on his behalf by Dr Hafez Adam Taher, Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health.
He said the company’s progress demonstrates what is possible when local industry is supported by strong leadership and long term commitment. According to the minister, Ernest Chemists has played a key role in strengthening Ghana’s pharmaceutical base while contributing to economic growth through job creation and foreign exchange savings.
The minister highlighted the company’s impact in employing more than 1,000 Ghanaians directly and supporting many others across its supply chain. He added that the growth of local manufacturing capacity remains essential to national health security.
Attention was also drawn to Ernest Chemists’ plan to establish Ghana’s first state of the art Good Manufacturing Practice facility. The minister described the project as aligned with government efforts to position Ghana as a pharmaceutical manufacturing hub on the African continent.
He encouraged the company to explore opportunities within the 24 hour economy framework to increase productivity and competitiveness. He also assured the private sector of government’s continued commitment to maintaining a supportive business environment.
The anniversary event concluded with a formal launch of the celebrations and a message of appreciation to the company’s management, staff, and partners for 40 years of service to the nation.
Chief Executive Officer Adjoa Akyema Sampong reaffirmed the company’s commitment to expanding access to quality medicines across Ghana and the wider region. She said Ernest Chemists would continue investing in technology to strengthen production and distribution.
She also pointed to ongoing efforts to link academic research with industrial production, a move aimed at boosting local medicine development and easing pressure on foreign exchange.
Plans are underway to deepen partnerships with multinational pharmaceutical firms through contract manufacturing, which she described as a critical pathway for technology transfer and skills development.
Madam Sampong expressed optimism about the future, saying the company remains focused on innovation, quality, and customer service. She added that Ernest Chemists, as a wholly Ghanaian owned enterprise, has expanded its footprint to more than 50 wholesale and retail outlets, with manufacturing and warehousing facilities nationwide, and operations in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia.
