President John Mahama has underscored the urgent need for stronger disease control measures across Africa, warning that declining external funding poses a major threat to the continent’s health sovereignty.
Addressing the Centre for Disease Control meeting in New York, President John Mahama said Africa must take charge of its health future. He noted that “external funding for health care and humanitarian assistance is declining rapidly,” pointing to the US Congress’ recent $8 billion cut to its international assistance budget and the termination of contracts worth $54 billion.
He stressed that similar cuts are being made in Europe, where NATO allies are diverting resources to meet defense spending targets. According to him, this trend threatens to leave African citizens “without medicines, without vaccines, and without hope.” He added that without proper disease control strategies, there could be a reversal in Africa’s health outcomes.
Ghana’s Commitment to Health Sovereignty
John Mahama highlighted steps Ghana is taking to strengthen health systems and reinforce disease control. The Ghana Medical Trust Fund Act, he noted, provides sustainable financing for citizens battling non-communicable diseases. He also announced the establishment of a National Vaccine Institute, seeded with 75 million Ghana cedis, to make Ghana a hub for vaccine research and manufacturing in West Africa.
Beyond that, he said Ghana will soon roll out a free primary health care program to ensure that “essential care is available to everyone, without cost, without barriers, and without delay.” He further disclosed that the government restored about $300 million to health funding by uncapping the National Health Insurance Levy.
Building Africa’s Collective Health Agenda
President John Mahama emphasized the importance of collective African leadership in global health governance. Referencing the African Health Sovereignty Summit in Accra, he said the launch of the Accra Compact and the Accra Reset Agenda are designed to transform global health structures, with disease control at the core of that transformation.
He asserted, “Africa must not only be invited to global health discussions. Africa must be a co-convener. We must be a co-designer and a co-owner of the solutions and outcomes of this global forum.”
Mahama urged African leaders to present a united front when engaging with global institutions such as GAVI, the Global Fund, and the Pandemic Fund.
