President John Dramani Mahama has urged African nations to “take their rightful place in the global health architecture” as the continent confronts shifting global health dynamics, emerging technologies, and lessons from recent crises.
Speaking at the second edition of the WHX Leaders Africa Summit, held under the theme “Catalysing Africa’s Health Revolution through Investment, Innovation, Impact and Infrastructure,” President Mahama described the gathering as “a defining continental moment.”
“This summit is not merely an event on our calendar,” he said. “It is a moment when Africa asserts its rightful place in the global health architecture and recommits to building a future shaped by our own agency, our own leadership, and our own scientific capabilities.”
Mahama noted that global health systems are undergoing rapid transformation, with redesigned supply chains, new geopolitical pressures, and heightened demand for resilience.
“These changes present both a challenge and an opportunity,” he stated. “But the truth is simple — Africa cannot afford to be a bystander. Africa must be a participant.”
Highlighting emerging progress across the continent, the President praised Africa’s growing ecosystem of biotechnology innovators, digital health solutions, vaccine researchers, and medical manufacturers. He also cited the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a major catalyst for health sector growth.
“We are seeing the world’s largest free trade area by population create new frontiers for health markets and industrial expansion,” he said.
However, Mahama stressed that Africa’s vulnerabilities remain evident, pointing to fragile supply chains, limited pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, inequities in access, and insufficient primary healthcare investment.
“COVID-19 exposed these weaknesses dramatically,” he recalled. “It reminded us that in moments of global crisis, Africa is often the last to receive support. No continent is safe until every continent is safe.”
Mahama outlined a bold doctrine for health sovereignty, emphasizing that it must be achieved through stronger African institutions and equitable partnerships.
“Health sovereignty means aligning global assistance with country-led strategies,” he explained. “It means empowering the Africa CDC, the African Medicines Agency, strengthening surveillance systems, and investing in a resilient African health workforce.”
He reaffirmed that these priorities align with Agenda 2063, the Africa CDC’s New Public Health Order, and global commitments under SDG 3.“Our task now is to move from ambition to execution,” Mahama said.
The President announced that Ghana is contributing to the continental health transformation through three major initiatives, the first being the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, which he highlighted as a strategic vehicle for sustainable health financing.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
