Ghana will this week host a historic high-level gathering aimed at reshaping the global health governance system to better reflect Africa’s needs and leadership.
The Africa Health Sovereignty Summit, scheduled for Tuesday, August 5, 2025, in Accra, will bring together African Heads of State, policymakers, and global health stakeholders under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.
The summit is being convened at a time when global health gains face mounting threats from shifting geopolitics, reduced donor funding, weakening multilateralism, and emerging health crises.
While significant progress has been made over the past three decades—such as halving child mortality since 1990, cutting maternal deaths by over 40% since 2000, and reducing HIV/AIDS fatalities by half since 2010—experts warn that these achievements are at risk without urgent reform.
“The current global health governance framework—designed for a different era—no longer reflects today’s political, economic, or demographic realities,” organisers noted.
“Countries must take greater responsibility for health governance and funding, while the international system must undergo structural reform.”
A key outcome of the summit will be the formal endorsement of The Accra Initiative, a bold action framework outlining shared principles, benchmarks, and a roadmap for reforming global health governance in line with national priorities. Among its central elements are:
Establishing a Presidential High-Level Panel to design a new global health governance architecture.
Committing to core principles of inclusivity, accountability, resilience, sustainable funding, and cross-sector collaboration.
Launching the SUSTAIN Initiative to strengthen country-led, investment-driven health systems using domestic resources, private sector participation, and philanthropic partnerships.
Adopting the Accra Compact, articulating Africa’s vision for health sovereignty and a fairer global health order.
The event builds on efforts by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and African Union institutions to improve continental health financing and coordination, while calling for urgent reforms to ensure Africa’s voice is central in shaping global health policy.
Reflecting on the upcoming gathering, President Mahama said:
“Africa must take charge of its health destiny—not in isolation, but through determined, coordinated action. This Summit is our moment to lead not only in financing our systems but also in reshaping the rules that govern global health—rules that must reflect the voices and realities of our people.”
The summit draws inspiration from Mahama’s role during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, when he spearheaded regional efforts to control the epidemic.
Organisers say the same spirit of unity and determination will underpin the Accra Compact, positioning Africa as a proactive force in building a more equitable and resilient global health system.
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