On 4 June 2025, the African Medicines Agency (AMA) announced the appointment of Dr Delese Mimi Darko, Chief Executive of the Food and Drugs Authority in Ghana, as its next Director General.

This marks a pivotal moment in making the AMA operational. By strengthening regulatory systems, the AMA will enhance the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines available to patients, while also creating a more enabling environment for pharmaceutical innovation, research, and development in Africa. This progress builds on years of determined work through initiatives such as the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (AMRH) and AUDA-NEPAD.

David Reddy, IFPMA Director General, said:

“The appointment of Dr Darko as the Director General of the AMA represents an important milestone for the organization. The depth of her scientific and regulatory experience will be invaluable in shaping the future of medicine regulation in Africa.

“By supporting national regulatory authorities across the continent, the AMA has real potential to help facilitate faster access to quality medicines, contribute to tackling substandard and falsified medicines, and support medical innovation. I look forward to working with Dr. Darko in her new role and in achieving these shared ambitions.”

Bunmi Femi-Oyekan, co-chair of the Africa Regulatory Network at IFPMA, said:

“Congratulations to Dr Darko for her appointment as the first Director General of the AMA. Under her leadership, the AMA can make important progress in its mission to strengthen initiatives to harmonize medicines regulation and promote cooperation and reliance of regulatory decisions.”

Adding to this, Zainab Aziz, co-chair of the Africa Regulatory Network at IFPMA, said:

“The appointment of Dr Darko as head of the AMA is a crucial step toward a fully functional agency that has the potential to transform access to quality-assured medicines across Africa and foster a more predictable, efficient regulatory environment for innovation. We encourage all remaining African Union Member States to ratify the AMA treaty to build a stronger, more integrated health regulatory framework for the continent.”

About IFPMA

IFPMA represents the innovative pharmaceutical industry at the international level, engaging in official relations with the United Nations and multilateral organizations. Our vision is to ensure that scientific progress translates into the next generation of medicines and vaccines that deliver a healthier future for people everywhere.

To achieve this, we act as a trusted partner, bringing our members' expertise to champion pharmaceutical innovation, drive policy that supports the research, development, and delivery of health technologies, and create sustainable solutions that advance global health.

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