The world’s attention turns to Ghana today as President John Dramani Mahama prepares to address the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, where he will make the case for a fundamental rethinking of how developing countries approach the building and financing of their own health systems.
The World Health Assembly (WHA), which serves as the primary decision-making body of the World Health Organisation (WHO), brings together global leaders to set health priorities, approve operational budgets, and coordinate responses to public health emergencies around the world.
At the heart of President Mahama’s address will be the Accra Reset Initiative, a project the President is championing to advance the concept of health sovereignty for the Global South.
His speech is expected to challenge global leaders to reconsider the place of developing nations in the global health architecture, particularly at a time when international donor funding is facing sharp cuts.
The President will press the case for self-reliant health systems that do not depend on the continuity of external support to function.
Beyond the main address, Mahama will host an Accra Reset side event under the theme “Geneva Clarion Call” and hold a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Assembly.
Ghana’s own healthcare journey has drawn considerable interest ahead of the visit.
The country has received over 80 invitations to side events hosted by global health institutions, with the focus falling on initiatives such as the Free Primary Health Care programme, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, and the National Health Insurance Scheme, all of which have positioned Ghana as a reference point for health reform in the developing world.
On arrival in Geneva, President Mahama was received at the airport by World Health Organisation Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Mrs Nane Annan, wife of the late United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
The President was also taken on a tour of the Kofi Annan Lounge at the airport, a space the Swiss government dedicated to the memory of the former UN chief.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
