Last month, Pharmalys had the privilege of participating in the OneWe Reach Global Conversations & Connections Summit in Accra, Ghana, a gathering that brought together African and global leaders committed to shaping the future of health innovation across the continent.
Representing Pharmalys, CEO Marieme Ba joined scientists, entrepreneurs, regulators, investors and patient advocates for several days of meaningful discussions focused on innovation sovereignty, clinical research capacity, health equity and Africa’s growing role in global health governance.
Ahead of the summit, a visit to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park & Mausoleum offered a moment to reflect on the vision and legacy of African leadership. It was a powerful reminder of the responsibility shared by organisations and individuals working to strengthen scientific excellence and healthcare systems across the continent.
Throughout the summit, one message remained clear for Marieme:
Africa’s future in global health innovation is being shaped by African expertise, leadership and collaboration.
Beyond the conference sessions themselves, the event highlighted the importance of human connection within the scientific and healthcare community. Conversations with long standing colleagues, new partners and fellow innovators served to reaffirm their collective commitment to advancing research and healthcare outcomes in Africa.
One particularly memorable moment for Marieme was meeting Helena Ndume and exchanging a few words in her mother tongue, Wolof, a reflection of the cultural ties and shared experiences that continue to connect professionals across the continent.
The summit also gave space to patient voices, reminding participants why strengthening research ecosystems and improving equitable access to innovation remain essential priorities.
Another key highlight was the update shared by Mimi Delese Darko regarding the progress of the African Medicines Agency, an important milestone for Africa’s regulatory future and its position within global health governance.
During the event, Marieme Ba was honoured to receive the Clinical Research Innovation Award, recognising the collective efforts of the Pharmalys team and its partners to strengthen clinical research capacity across Africa. The recognition reflects years of collaboration, commitment and shared vision.
For Marieme, the award was also an opportunity to reflect on what drives Pharmalys’ work: a belief that Africa must be at the centre of its own clinical research narrative. Too often, the continent has been positioned as a site for research designed and led elsewhere. Pharmalys exists to change that, building local expertise, creating sustainable infrastructure and ensuring that African researchers, institutions and communities shape the questions being asked and the solutions being developed. This vision is not only about capacity, it is about agency, equity and long term impact.
As the summit concluded, the sense of momentum was undeniable. Africa’s talent, ambition and leadership are increasingly taking centre stage in global conversations around science, innovation and health equity.
For Pharmalys, participating in the OneWe Reach Global Conversations & Connections Summit reminded us of the importance of our commitment to supporting the development of high quality clinical research and sustainable health innovation across Africa. #CountAfricaIn
