Ghanian President, John Mahama
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama will on Tuesday host a transformative summit in Accra, bringing together African leaders, policymakers, and global health experts to discuss health sovereignty.
Titled “ _The Accra Initiative: African Health Sovereignty in a Reimagined Global Health Governance Architecture_ ,” the event aims to drive Africa-led reforms in global health systems, the President’s spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said in a statement on Sunday.
The summit will introduce the Accra Initiative, a strategic plan to strengthen national control, investment, and leadership in Africa’s health frameworks.
Ofosu noted significant global health achievements, including a 50% reduction in child mortality since 1990 and a 40% drop in maternal deaths since 2000. Yet, he highlighted challenges like shifting geopolitics, reduced donor funding, and emerging threats that reveal weaknesses in the current global health structure.
“This gathering is Africa’s opportunity to take charge, not just in funding our health systems but in redefining global health rules to reflect our continent’s needs and realities,” Ofosu stated.
Key outcomes include the adoption of the Accra Compact, which articulates Africa’s vision for fair global health governance, the launch of the SUSTAIN Initiative to boost domestically funded health systems, and the establishment of a Presidential High-Level Panel to chart a reform path. The summit also commits to fostering inclusive, accountable, and resilient health frameworks.
Inspired by Mahama’s leadership during the 2014 Ebola crisis, the event builds on efforts by Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and the African Union to enhance health financing and coordination across Africa.
