President John Dramani Mahama is set to play a major role today, Monday, May 18, in Geneva where he will present a keynote speech at the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA), the top policy-making organ of the World Health Organization (WHO). His participation forms part of broader efforts aimed at reshaping global health governance and advancing health independence for developing countries, especially those in the Global South.
The World Health Assembly gathers health ministers, presidents, international health specialists, and development agencies from around the globe to determine global health priorities, approve WHO budgets, and coordinate responses to disease outbreaks and other public health challenges.
During his address, President Mahama is expected to focus heavily on the “Accra Reset Initiative,” a major policy agenda he has been promoting to transform international health collaborations and strengthen what he terms “health sovereignty” among developing nations.
The initiative advocates reducing overreliance on foreign donor assistance while encouraging countries to build stronger and more sustainable healthcare systems capable of functioning independently.
The Ghanaian leader is also anticipated to urge international organisations and world leaders to re-examine inequalities within the global health financing structure, particularly as many lower and middle-income countries continue to face declining levels of donor support.
He is expected to stress that the evolving global economic climate requires developing nations to channel more resources into local health infrastructure, expand pharmaceutical manufacturing, and ensure affordable healthcare becomes accessible to all citizens.
The idea of “health sovereignty,” which remains central to the Accra Reset Initiative, is likely to dominate much of his presentation, with renewed appeals for a fairer global health system that allows countries in the Global South greater authority over their healthcare financing, priorities, and emergency preparedness.
Aside from the main assembly sessions, President Mahama is also expected to hold several bilateral discussions with international leaders, donor agencies, and senior officials from major global health institutions attending the summit.
In addition, he will host a special side event under the theme “Geneva Clarion Call,” where policymakers and global health actors are expected to engage in deeper conversations on healthcare equity, reforms in global financing, and building sustainable health systems.