President John Dramani Mahama has held high-level discussions with senior United Nations health officials at the Jubilee House, focusing on strengthening healthcare systems, expanding immunisation and tackling HIV/AIDS and malaria across Africa.
The meeting brought together UNAIDS Executive Director and UN Under-Secretary-General Winnie Byanyima and African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) Executive Secretary Joy Phumaphi as Ghana hosts the African Union Extraordinary Summit on health in Accra.
During the talks, President Mahama outlined his “Accra Reset” initiative, describing it as an African-led strategy to reshape global health cooperation and reduce dependence on external aid. He stressed the importance of boosting vaccine manufacturing on the continent to improve Africa’s health security.
The President also highlighted Ghana’s efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery through the recently launched Free Primary Health Care programme, which allows citizens to access basic medical services at CHPS compounds and polyclinics without requiring a National Health Insurance card.
Byanyima commended President Mahama’s leadership, praising his commitment to advancing Africa’s health sovereignty both across the continent and internationally.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the African Union Extraordinary Summit, where African leaders and key stakeholders are discussing strategies to improve universal health coverage and strengthen responses to major public health challenges, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases.
