…Also adopt regional framework to accelerate Malaria elimination
The 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Health Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), concluded on 25 April 2026 in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with the adoption of major strategic decisions aimed at accelerating malaria elimination, reducing maternal, newborn and child mortality, and strengthening health systems across the region..
During the two-day high-level deliberations, the Ministers of Health also endorsed the Regional Framework for Malaria Elimination, adopted the Freetown Charter on accelerating the reduction of maternal, newborn and child mortality, and reaffirmed their collective commitment to advancing sustainable and resilient health financing in ECOWAS Member States..
According to the communique issued at the end of the deliberations, the Assembly also reviewed the 2025 Annual Report of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), taking stock of progress made while highlighting persistent challenges affecting the performance and impact of health interventions in the region.
Particular emphasis was placed on the need to improve efficiency, strengthen accountability, and enhance domestic resource mobilisation in a context of declining external funding.
Deliberations further underscored the urgency of intensified, coordinated regional action to address malaria as a major public health priority, while reinforcing broader efforts to improve health outcomes and build more resilient health systems.
The session concluded with the adoption of the final report and official communiqué, read by the representative of the Minister of Health of Ghana, capturing the key decisions, strategic orientations, and commitments made by Member States.
Representative of the Minister of Health of Ghana, reading the final report and official communiqué
