BY Issah Olegor
Former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has renewed calls for Africa to take full control of its health future, insisting that the continent must stop depending on external support to protect its citizens during public health crises.
Mahama delivered the strong message on Monday, September 22, 2025, at a high-level meeting of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in New York.
The gathering, held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), was dedicated to the theme: “Securing Africa’s Health Sovereignty: Political Leadership for Sustainable Health Financing, Local Manufacturing, and Pandemic Preparedness.”
Lessons From COVID-19
The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 exposed Africa’s vulnerabilities, with countries scrambling for vaccines, medical equipment, and financial resources.
While wealthier nations secured vaccines in record time, most African countries waited months—sometimes years—before gaining access.
John Mahama pointed out that such a scenario must never be repeated. He argued that investment in health should no longer be considered a burden but a necessity for Africa’s survival and growth.
“Health is not a cost. It is the engine of productivity and the foundation of sovereignty,” he declared, emphasizing that healthy populations drive economic progress and secure political stability.
A Push For Self-Reliance
The Africa CDC, established in 2017, has been at the forefront of coordinating continental responses to pandemics.
However, the organization continues to face challenges, including limited funding and over-reliance on donor support.
President Mahama urged African leaders to take bold steps in strengthening health financing mechanisms, prioritizing domestic resource mobilization, and ensuring accountability.
He also pushed for accelerated efforts in local manufacturing of medicines and vaccines to reduce dependency on foreign supplies.
According to Mahama, securing Africa’s health sovereignty is not just about survival during pandemics but about building resilience in the face of global uncertainties.
Global Governance And the “Accra Reset”
John Mahama is expected to continue the conversation on Tuesday when he hosts a side event titled “The Accra Reset: Reimagining Global Governance for Health and Development” at 8:00 p.m. GMT.
The event will bring together global policymakers, development partners, and experts to explore innovative frameworks for health governance and equitable partnerships.
