President John Dramani Mahama will host the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Accra from July 21 to 22, 2026, as African leaders gather to advance universal health coverage and accelerate efforts to end AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and other major public health challenges.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency Communications Office on Tuesday, the summit will be held under the theme: “Advancing Justice, Equity and Universal Health Coverage: Ending AIDS, TB, Improving Maternal Health, Addressing Endemic Non-Communicable and Neglected Tropical Diseases and Conditions in Africa.”
The high-level meeting is expected to bring together African Heads of State and Government, ministers responsible for health, finance and foreign affairs, the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities, development partners, civil society organisations, youth representatives and private sector stakeholders.
The Presidency said participants would work collectively to strengthen Africa’s health systems and accelerate the implementation of universal health coverage across the continent.
The summit will take place in two phases. The first, on July 21, will comprise a meeting of member state experts, including senior officials from the ministries of health, finance and economic development planning, to prepare technical recommendations for ministerial and presidential deliberations.
On July 22, the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government will convene to adopt key decisions on Africa’s health priorities, including a declaration aimed at accelerating the implementation of the African Union Roadmap to 2030.
The statement noted that Ghana’s hosting of the summit reflects President Mahama’s commitment to equitable healthcare and his administration’s efforts to expand access to quality health services.
Among the government’s flagship health initiatives highlighted were the rollout of the Free Primary Health Care Programme, the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to improve access to essential health services, and the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as “MahamaCares,” to support universal health coverage.
The Presidency also said President Mahama is championing targeted investments in health infrastructure, workforce development, emergency preparedness and local pharmaceutical manufacturing to strengthen Ghana’s health sector while positioning the country to lead continental efforts to eliminate AIDS and TB and reduce maternal mortality.
As part of the summit, a special side event will feature a Call to Action on Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Survival. The event will be led by African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in partnership with the Accra Reset initiative.
The government described the summit as a significant opportunity for African countries to unite around a shared vision of health equity and justice and called on all stakeholders to support practical, people-centred solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of Africans.
In the statement signed by the Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Government of Ghana welcomed all participating Heads of State, delegates and stakeholders and reaffirmed its commitment to working with the African Union and its member states to advance universal health coverage across Africa.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
