President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in Brussels, Belgium, to lead advocacy efforts for the replenishment of the GAVI Alliance’s vaccine programme. His visit, which was officially announced today, June 25, in a statement signed by his Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, marks Ghana’s continued commitment to global health and vaccine equity.
President Mahama is attending the Global Summit on Health and Prosperity through Immunisation, a high-level conference co-hosted by the European Union, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The summit seeks to mobilise support for Gavi’s ambitious 2026-2030 strategy, which is expected to immunise an additional 500 million children, save over 8 million lives, and protect the world from as many as 150 possible disease outbreaks.
Speaking on the importance of the initiative, President Mahama stressed:
“A fully funded Gavi will save millions of lives, unlock significant economic potential, and strengthen global health security.”
As a long-time advocate for vaccine accessibility, President Mahama’s leadership at the summit signals his strong belief in the power of global collaboration to ensure that no child is left behind due to a lack of immunisation, especially in developing countries.
His advocacy work with Gavi dates back to 2013, when he championed similar efforts to raise support for the Alliance’s life-saving mission. Today, he continues to push for equitable vaccine distribution, especially for vulnerable populations in Africa and across the developing world.
The statement from his spokesperson further noted:
“The Global Summit provides a critical opportunity to garner renewed commitment from traditional and newer donors.”
Since its formation in 2000, Gavi has delivered life-saving vaccines to over a billion children, prevented more than 18.8 million deaths, and created over $250 billion in global economic benefits.
During his stay in Brussels, President Mahama is expected to hold bilateral meetings with key global figures, including the President of the EU Council of Ministers and Bill Gates, to strengthen partnerships and drive further investment into global health initiatives.
President Mahama’s presence in Brussels not only highlights Ghana’s active role on the international stage but also reinforces his dedication to improving global health outcomes through equitable vaccine access.
