Africa must own its health security – Mahama tells UN gathering

President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to reframe health as a strategic investment in development and sovereignty rather than a financial burden.

Speaking at a high-level meeting of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in New York on Monday, Mr Mahama said Africa’s future depended on resilient health systems and sustainable financing.

“Health is not a cost. It is the engine of productivity and the foundation of sovereignty,” he declared.

The meeting, held under the theme “Securing Africa’s Health Sovereignty: Political Leadership for Sustainable Health Financing, Local Manufacturing, and Pandemic Preparedness”, brought together heads of state and government ahead of the United Nations General Assembly’s 80th session.

Discussions centred on Africa’s efforts to secure its health sovereignty in the aftermath of COVID-19 by prioritising local vaccine manufacturing, securing resources for sustainable healthcare, and preparing for future pandemics.

President Mahama is expected to deepen this conversation on Tuesday when he hosts a side event titled “The Accra Reset: Reimagining Global Governance for Health and Development”. The session, scheduled for 8:00 p.m. GMT, will convene policymakers and global partners to consider new frameworks for health governance and international cooperation.

His interventions highlight Africa’s push for greater self-reliance in health financing and preparedness, ensuring the continent is not left exposed in future global health crises.