ELS: MBN360 NEWS
President John Dramani Mahama is set to host an Extraordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Accra as African leaders gather to deliberate on measures to strengthen healthcare systems and advance Universal Health Coverage across the continent.
The two-day summit, scheduled for July 21 to 22, 2026, 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 meeting is expected to bring together African Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Health, Finance and Foreign Affairs, the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities, development partners, civil society organisations, youth representatives and private sector stakeholders.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday, July 21, the summit will focus on strengthening collaboration among member states and developing practical strategies to accelerate progress towards universal access to quality healthcare across Africa.
The first phase of the summit, scheduled for Tuesday July 21, will involve a technical meeting of experts from Ministries of Health, Finance and Economic Planning. The discussions will provide the foundation for key decisions to be considered by African leaders during the Heads of State session.
The AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government will meet on Wednesday July 22 to deliberate on and adopt measures aimed at advancing Africa’s health priorities, including the implementation of the African Union Roadmap to 2030.
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Ghana’s decision to host the continental health gathering reflects what government describes as the country’s commitment to promoting equitable healthcare delivery and providing leadership in Africa’s health transformation agenda.
The statement highlighted several health initiatives undertaken under President Mahama’s administration, including the rollout of the Free Primary Health Care Programme, the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as MahamaCares.
Government said these interventions are part of broader efforts to expand access to healthcare, improve health financing and support progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
It added that President Mahama has also prioritised investments in health infrastructure, workforce development, emergency preparedness and local pharmaceutical manufacturing, which align with the objectives of the AU summit.
The summit will also feature a side event on maternal, newborn, child and adolescent survival, led by the African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in partnership with the Accra Reset.
Government has assured participating countries and stakeholders of Ghana’s readiness to host the summit and work with AU member states to develop sustainable solutions to improve health outcomes across the continent.
The meeting is expected to provide a platform for African leaders to strengthen collective action towards reducing disease burdens, improving healthcare access and achieving the goal of Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
