On January 27, 2026, the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) crossed a critical institutional threshold with the formal inauguration of its first-ever Audit
Committee.
Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey described the event as a "stride in the determined march to build institutional capacity," emphasizing that robust internal oversight is essential for the NVI to fulfill its mandate of domestic vaccine production.
The New Oversight Structure
In compliance with the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), the committee is composed of a blend of independent auditors and senior ministry representatives to ensure financial transparency and operational efficiency.
| Member | Institution | Role |
| Mr. Alhassan Fuseini | Internal Audit Agency (IAA) | Chairman |
| Mr. Newman Owiredu Darkwa | Inst. of Chartered Accountants (ICA) | Member |
| Miss. Shirley-Ann Narh | Internal Audit Agency (IAA) | Member |
| Mr. Kwamena Essielfie Quayson | Ministry of Environment (MESTI) | Member (NVI Board) |
| Mr. Frederick Mensah Acheampong | Ministry of Health (MoH) | Member (NVI Board) |
Immediate Priorities for 2026
The committee did not wait to begin its work. Following the swearing-in ceremony conducted by Mr. Hayford Dowuona-Hammond of the Internal Audit Agency, the group immediately convened its first meeting to address two key items:
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Q4 2025 Audit Review: An assessment of the institute’s performance and financial reporting for the final quarter of the previous year.
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2026 Audit Calendar: Establishing the roadmap for monitoring the $25 million in seed funding and future investments in domestic mRNA, malaria, and TB vaccine manufacturing.
A "Second Chance" at Vaccine Sovereignty
The NVI was established to ensure Ghana never again falls victim to "vaccine nationalism," as witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. By establishing this Audit Committee, the NVI aims to:
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Foster Investor Confidence: Providing assurance to bilateral and multilateral partners that funds are managed with integrity.
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Support Management: Acting as a "supportive partner" to Dr. Sodzi-Tettey’s team rather than just a watchdog.
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Ensure Compliance: Tracking the implementation of all audit recommendations to minimize operational risks.
The Bottom Line
With the inauguration of this committee, the NVI is signaling that it is "ready for business." As the institute looks to fill, finish, and eventually manufacture vaccines locally, this governance layer ensures that the technical success of the scientists is backed by the financial discipline required of a world-class institution.
