The Executive Chairman of Entrance Pharmaceuticals (Tobinco Pharmaceuticals), Dr. Samuel Amo Tobbin, has called on the government and President John Dramani Mahama to intervene urgently in helping the company recover long-delayed payments owed by several West African countries for pharmaceutical supplies.
Dr. Amo Tobbin made the appeal on Thursday when the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health paid a working visit to Entrance Pharmaceuticals and Entrance University of Health Sciences, both under the Tobinco Group of Companies.
Also read: Tobinco salutes Mahama for support that transitioned company from drug importation to manufacturing
He acknowledged President Mahama’s renewed vision of making Ghana a pharmaceutical hub but stressed that delayed payments from regional governments continue to threaten the survival of local manufacturers.
“When we supply to most of our neighbouring countries, the payments do not come. The payment delays. Burkina, Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Togo, Benin, Gambia — they are all owing us. They owe us a lot of money,” he stated.
Dr. Amo Tobbin appealed directly through the Committee: “When you go, lend our sincere gratitude to him… and extend our plea that if he has connections, he should talk to the other presidents. We need intervention.”
He further thanked the Committee for the visit, describing it as an honour and a motivation for the company and the university. “Thank you very much. We appreciate your coming so much. I’m sure you will enjoy the place and appreciate what God has done through this form of communication,” he said.
As part of its oversight mandate, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health is touring institutions involved in medical training, pharmaceutical production, and local capacity development across the country.
Dr. Amo Tobbin emphasised that the Tobinco Group’s heavy investment in pharmaceuticals, education, and health sciences is aimed at creating jobs and reducing risky migration among Ghanaian youth.
“We’ve invested in all this because of our love for our mother Ghana and for preventing our young ones from travelling abroad… some pass through the desert and lose their lives,” he said. “This is why we decided to invest our resources into pharmaceuticals so we can give employment to our young ones.”
He also acknowledged the vital support the company received from EXIM Bank during President Mahama’s first term in government, which he said facilitated the transition from wholesale and retail operations to full-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing.