African leaders, policymakers, and global health stakeholders will converge in Accra on 5 August for the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit, a historic gathering aimed at redefining global health governance from an African perspective.
The summit, themed “The Accra Initiative: African Health Sovereignty in a Reimagined Global Health Governance Architecture”, is being convened by Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, and is expected to mark a turning point in advancing Africa-led reforms in the global health landscape.
A statement signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, spokesperson to the President, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday, revealed that the summit will formally launch the Accra Initiative.
According to Ofosu, the Accra Initiative represents a bold and strategic action plan aimed at strengthening national ownership, investment, and leadership across Africa’s health systems.
“This Summit is our moment to lead, not only in financing our systems, but also in reshaping the rules that govern global health—rules that must reflect the voices and realities of our people,” he stated.
Context and Urgency
While Ofosu acknowledged significant strides in global health—such as a 50% reduction in child mortality since 1990 and a 40% decline in maternal deaths since 2000—he warned that shifting geopolitical dynamics, dwindling donor funding, and new health threats have exposed critical weaknesses in the current global health architecture.
Expected Outcomes
The summit is expected to deliver several key outcomes:
Endorsement of the Accra Compact, which outlines Africa’s unified vision for equitable and effective global health governance.
Launch of the SUSTAIN Initiative, designed to accelerate domestic investment in resilient, accountable health systems.
Formation of a Presidential High-Level Panel, tasked with drafting a roadmap for reform and transformation of health systems across the continent.
A Legacy of Leadership
The summit builds on President Mahama’s leadership during the 2014 Ebola crisis and aligns with ongoing efforts by Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame, and the African Union to improve health financing and coordination across the continent.
By foregrounding African priorities and perspectives, the Accra Health Summit seeks to place the continent at the heart of a reimagined global health order—one that is inclusive, locally driven, and future-focused.
