The Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, has joined senior government officials, health ministers, development partners, and public health experts at the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit on Health being held in Accra.
The two-day high-level summit, which opened on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, brought together stakeholders from across Africa to accelerate efforts towards ending AIDS by 2030, reducing preventable maternal deaths, tackling communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, and strengthening resilient health systems on the continent.
Hosted by the Government of Ghana under the auspices of the African Union, the summit is being held under the theme: “Addressing Preventable Maternal Deaths, Ending AIDS by 2030, Addressing Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases Endemic to the Continent, and Strengthening Health Systems by 2030.”
Dr. Bampoe’s participation highlights the NHIA’s commitment to advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through sustainable health financing and ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare services for all Ghanaians.
The summit is providing a platform for African leaders to assess progress on continental health commitments, address ongoing challenges, and develop strategies to accelerate the achievement of health-related Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Ghana’s delegation reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening primary healthcare, improving maternal and child health outcomes, expanding access to essential health services, and developing health systems capable of responding effectively to emerging public health challenges.
As part of the engagement, Dr. Bampoe is expected to engage international media and highlight Ghana’s efforts in expanding access to healthcare through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
He will also discuss NHIA reforms aimed at improving financial sustainability, strengthening primary healthcare delivery, promoting digital innovation, and advancing the country’s Universal Health Coverage agenda.
The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who welcomed delegates on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the government, and the people of Ghana, said the country’s hosting of the summit reflected its commitment to Africa’s collective efforts towards building a healthier and self-reliant continent.
He noted that although Africa had made progress in controlling communicable diseases, including reductions in HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, challenges such as maternal mortality, inadequate healthcare financing, and reliance on imported medicines continued to threaten health security.
Mr. Akandoh called on African countries to move beyond commitments and focus on implementation through increased domestic health financing, expansion of local production of medicines, vaccines and health technologies, and placing primary healthcare at the centre of national health systems.
He said Ghana was already pursuing these priorities through key reforms, including the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Levy, the implementation of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, and initiatives to strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
“A continent that finances its own health secures its own future. It cannot remain hostage to changing priorities beyond its shores,” the Minister stated.
