The Pan-African Parliament has challenged African governments to honour their long-standing commitment to increase domestic financing for health. This urgent call comes after concerns about persistent vulnerabilities in Africa’s health systems. Weak funding continues to expose the continent to significant public health threats.
The Parliament adopted a resolution on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, highlighting the critical need for action. It specifically reaffirmed the Abuja Declaration of 2001. This declaration requires African countries to allocate at least 15% of their annual national budgets to the health sector. Governments must take immediate steps to strengthen both health financing and preparedness.
This challenge fits into a broader narrative of economic development and public welfare across Africa. Ghana, like many other African Union member states, has faced the economic and social costs of underfunded health systems. The continent's ability to achieve sustainable development goals relies heavily on a healthy workforce and resilient public health infrastructure. Inadequate health spending can divert resources from other critical sectors and hinder economic growth.
Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Chairman of the Pan-African Parliament’s Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs, stated that governments must take urgent steps. He emphasized the need to strengthen health financing and preparedness. The Parliament called on member states of the African Union to implement the 15% commitment and establish statutory contingency funds. These funds are crucial for responding to emergencies effectively.
The resolution noted that Africa has faced repeated health crises, including HIV, Ebola, COVID-19, mpox, Marburg, and recurring cholera outbreaks. These crises have exposed weaknesses in health systems. These weaknesses include limited emergency financing, slow procurement processes, and inadequate coordination. Lawmakers also urged governments to strengthen legal frameworks that support public health emergency response.
They called on AU member states to domesticate Africa CDC continental frameworks into national laws. These frameworks cover biosafety and biosecurity, public health institutions, emergency preparedness, data governance, local manufacturing of health products, and cross-border health cooperation. The Parliament also recognized the vital role of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in supporting countries to prevent and control diseases.
Closer cooperation between the Pan-African Parliament and the Africa CDC through a formal framework is encouraged. This collaboration aims to improve pandemic preparedness and intervention across the continent. The resolution further urged countries to accelerate the ratification and implementation of the Treaty establishing the African Medicines Agency and the AU Model Law on Medical Products Regulation.
Strengthening health systems requires more than just policies. The Parliament stressed the importance of legislation to give governments the authority to respond effectively to health threats. Legal preparedness has become a key part of health security, alongside epidemiological, laboratory, and clinical readiness. Stronger investment, better laws, and improved coordination are necessary to protect African populations against current and future public health emergencies. Decision-makers and markets will closely watch how individual nations respond to this renewed call for action, particularly regarding budget allocations in upcoming fiscal years.