The World Health Expo (WHX) Leaders Africa 2025 Summit began with a powerful statement from H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana: “Africa cannot afford to be a bystander.”
According to his message, the continent’s greatest problem is not a lack of potential but rather a lack of control over its own health destiny.
H.E. Dramani Mahama cautioned that until Africa develops its own manufacturing base, fortifies supply chains, and makes investments in resilient, inventive, and self-sustaining health systems, the continent’s vulnerabilities—which were brought to light during COVID-19—will continue.
He urged African countries to take charge of health innovation, medical manufacturing, and vaccine production, pointing out that international crises have repeatedly demonstrated that Africa is frequently the last to receive assistance.
This demand for self-determination was reaffirmed by Health Minister Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who urged development partners to support African-led solutions rather than impose foreign agendas.
Hon. Akandoh also emphasized Ghana’s national reforms, such as the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, which offers sophisticated care like dialysis, cancer, and specialized diagnostics, and the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, which eliminates financial obstacles at the point of service.
He emphasized that these programs, along with a centralized national health intelligence database and an AI-powered digital health infrastructure, put Ghana in a position to provide equitable, evidence-based, and future-ready healthcare.
Africa is prepared for and deserving of strategic, transformative, and long-lasting partnerships, the Minister said.
He urged all parties involved to contribute to the creation of a stronger, healthier, and more independent continent, saying, “Let this summit be remembered as the moment Africa chose ambition over caution and unity over fragmentation.”
The subject of the two-day WHX Leaders Africa 2025 Summit is “Catalyzing Africa’s Health Revolution Through Investment, Innovation, Impact and Infrastructure.”
Source: newsthemegh.com