President Mahama hosts AU Health Summit: “Africa must build Self-reliant Health Systems”
President John Dramani Mahama opened a 3-day Extraordinary African Union Health Summit in Accra today, calling on African countries to end over-reliance on donors and build “resilient and self-reliant” health systems.
Speaking to heads of state, health ministers and global health partners, the President said Africa’s health financing crisis is similar to the continent’s historic fight for political independence. “We fought for political freedom. Now we must fight for health independence,” he stated.
The summit is themed “Building a Resilient and Self-Reliant African Health System” and focuses on 3 big goals: ending AIDS and TB by 2030, achieving Universal Health Coverage, and increasing domestic funding for health.
Leaders at the summit committed to raising more money locally for health instead of depending on external grants that are shrinking. They also agreed to strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing, improve disease surveillance, and invest in health workers. Ghana is positioning itself as the hub for this agenda by hosting the talks and showcasing its own health reforms.
The President linked the health agenda to his government’s broader economic plan. He said a healthy workforce is needed to drive the 24-Hour Economy policy and that investments in primary healthcare will reduce the burden on hospitals and families. Traditional leaders in attendance backed the call, urging communities to support preventive health.
Domestically, the President also made news with a political statement. He reiterated: “My position is that this is my final term.” He said the focus now is on legacy projects in health, education and jobs, not on staying in office beyond his constitutional limit.
On the sidelines of the summit, health experts warned that without increased domestic budgets, Africa will struggle to respond to future pandemics. They called for at least 15% of national budgets to go to health, as agreed in the Abuja Declaration.
The summit continues through Saturday with technical sessions on financing, health technology, and regional cooperation. Hosting it puts Accra at the center of continental health policy for the week.
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