Former President John Dramani Mahama has called on African nations to take charge of and protect their own healthcare systems. He made this statement while opening the 28th Annual Conference of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) in Accra.
The five-day conference, themed “Responsive Regulation for Safer Communities Towards Universal Health Coverage,” aims to address the critical role of effective healthcare regulation. This regulation is essential for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) across the African continent. President Mahama stressed that strong medical regulations are necessary to keep patients safe and maintain high professional standards.
This call comes as Ghana continues to expand its healthcare services and infrastructure. The government's focus on Free Primary Healthcare and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund reflects a broader commitment to improving health outcomes. These initiatives align with the conference's goal of ensuring accessible and quality healthcare for all citizens. The discussions at AMCOA contribute to Ghana’s ongoing efforts to enhance its health sector.
President Mahama offered seven points of reflection for the conference attendees. He urged them to strengthen regulatory harmonisation through deeper cooperation and reliable verification of qualifications. He also highlighted the need to invest in regulatory science to ensure decisions are evidence-based. Furthermore, he called for building secure data-exchange systems and protecting the integrity of health professional education.
The President also asked the conference to develop practical frameworks for humanitarian settings. He emphasized regulating digital health and Artificial Intelligence with urgency and wisdom. Finally, he urged placing the patient and the public at the centre of every regulatory decision. He stated, “Universal health coverage cannot exist without universal health confidence.”
Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, confirmed the government’s commitment to expanding Ghana’s continuum of care. This includes Free Primary Healthcare, which focuses on disease prevention and essential services. It also covers the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, which supports specialized and high-cost care for chronic conditions. Dr. Anarfi-Asamoah Baah, a former Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), reiterated the need for African countries to increase domestic health spending.
The implications of stronger healthcare regulation are significant for Ghana and the wider continent. Enhanced regulatory frameworks could lead to improved patient safety and higher professional standards. This would boost public confidence in healthcare services. Decision-makers will likely consider these recommendations to refine national health policies and investment strategies. The focus on digital health regulation also signals future policy directions for technological integration in healthcare.