Case Study of Ghana - Medical Devices and Biomaterials for the Developing World - page 31

Table 2.13 Ghana tariff schedule
Item category Rate (%)

Primary products, capital goods, and some basic consumer goods 0-5

Raw materials, intermediate inputs, and consumer goods 10

Final consumer goods 20

Source : Dewbre and de Battisti (2008)

The effect of these tariffs is to benefit domestic producers of imported goods in
the listed categories. Despite Ghana's ECOWAS membership, “trade with other
member countries….tends to be small compared to trade with non-members,
principally OECD member countries” (Dewbre and de Battisti 2008). Use of crops
for nonagricultural purposes may provide additional incentive to consider shifting
the balance of trade within and outside the region.
Following an investigation of human biocompatibility, an important area of nec-
essary research is the translation of these materials from agriculture to the health
sector and the quantification of the need for biomaterials, as a substantial diversion
of resources will certainly impact future agricultural policies.

Discussion and Conclusion

This chapter has outlined the major health problems that plague the West African
nation of Ghana, the situation of health technology in Ghana, and the aspects of the
agricultural sector relevant to biomaterial production.
Ghana is faced with the health challenges common to many sub-Saharan African
nations; while infectious diseases still factor heavily into the burden of disease, an
emerging focus on primary health care and treatment of chronic disease has marked
the last few decades. Inequity in access to health services is still prevalent both
between and within regions of the country. However, Ghana is uniquely positioned
for vast economic growth. With proper planning and coordination among different
sectors, this can translate into new strides in the health sector and progress towards
the goal of access for all Ghanaians.
Development and publication of detailed equipment inventories will be necessary
in order to calculate a MTS for Ghana. However, an initial look at health statistics on
Ghana indicates that the majority of Ghanaian health facilities are mid-sized health
centers, of which there is one for every 10,000 Ghanaian citizens. Analysis of the
realities of health technology in Ghanaian health facilities will allow for comparison
to nations with similar profiles and will inform next steps for maintaining a level of
technology that reflects Ghana's needs and its commitment to expanding PHC.
Ghana's agricultural sector is characterized by a large number of subsistence
farming units, which supplement a more centralized national output. Among the
biggest producers of agricultural income are cocoa (the nation's top exported good)
and maize, which is a net imported good despite its high levels of production.