Former President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to secure the continent’s health sovereignty. He urged investment in health infrastructure, pharmaceutical, and vaccine production. Mahama made these remarks at the African Union Extraordinary Health Summit in Accra on July 23, 2026.
The appeal comes as development assistance for health has fallen sharply. It dropped by more than one-fifth in a single year, from GHS 49.6 billion to GHS 39.1 billion. This significant reduction highlights Africa's continued reliance on external sources for health budgets. Many African Union member states still finance roughly half of their health spending from outside the continent.
This situation underscores a broader economic challenge for African nations. Over-reliance on foreign aid for essential services like healthcare creates vulnerability. It affects public finance stability and the ability to respond to health crises independently. The summit aimed to galvanize political commitment and accelerate action to end AIDS and tuberculosis by 2030, and reduce maternal and child deaths.
President Mahama stated that the fight for liberation today is against inequality and the oppression of viral diseases. He likened this struggle to Ghana’s first President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s call for total African liberation in 1958. Mahama emphasized that true liberation will be measured by accessible clinics and medicines produced on African soil. He also noted the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares) to tackle chronic diseases and maternal mortality in Ghana.
The implications are substantial for public health and economic policy across Africa. Leaders must now consider increased domestic funding for healthcare and strategic investments in local manufacturing. This shift could reduce dependence on fluctuating foreign aid and strengthen national health systems. The emergence of vaccine manufacturing hubs in Dakar, Cape Town, Kigali, and the Ghana Vaccine Institute shows tangible progress in this direction. These initiatives are crucial for long-term health security and economic stability.
Mr. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, reiterated the need for African countries to increase investments in universal healthcare. This aligns with the summit's theme: “Advancing Justice, Equity and Universal Health Coverage.” The Accra Meeting serves as a critical platform for African leaders to commit to these vital reforms. Their decisions will impact millions of citizens and shape the continent's health and economic future for decades.