The maiden Ghana Medical Expo, organised by Academic City University in partnership with Northeastern University, USA had ended with a call for robust policies and regulatory framework to support innovation, while encouraging safety and quality in healthcare delivery.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Alex Dodoo, immediate past Director-General of the Ghana Standard Authority said Ghana’s regulatory systems must evolve in response to the growing influence of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital tools in healthcare delivery, while ensuring they reflect the country’s local realities.
According to him, regulators need to act as facilitators rather than barriers to innovation.
“No company sets out to break the law; our responsibility is to support innovators to comply and thrive rather than penalise them when they fall short,” he added.
The Medical Innovation Expo 2025 brought together students, researchers, healthcare professionals, and industry stakeholders on the theme: “New Paradigms in Healthcare Technology”.
The event sought to promote collaboration between academia, government, and the private sector in building a sustainable and technology-driven healthcare system.
Prof. Fred McBagonluri, President of Academic City University, said the expo formed part of efforts to boost local production of medical equipment and reduce the country’s dependence on imports.
“The expo is part of a larger effort to drive local production of medical devices that are affordable and suited to our environment,” he explained.
He called on policymakers and industry stakeholders to invest in homegrown healthcare innovations and technology-driven solutions to strengthen Ghana’s health system and reduce dependence on imported medical equipment.
Prof. Lee Makowski of Northeastern University noted that the partnership between Northeastern University and Academic City embodies a shared commitment to nurturing globally competitive innovators capable of designing healthcare technologies that address local needs.
“Through this collaboration, we are equipping students with the knowledge, research experience, and international exposure necessary to develop transformative healthcare solutions,” he said.
