President John Dramani Mahama is expected to deliver a keynote address today at the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, where he will push for stronger health independence for developing nations.
The World Health Assembly, the main decision-making body of the World Health Organisation, brings together global leaders to set health priorities, approve budgets, and coordinate responses to international public health emergencies.
In his address, President Mahama is expected to spotlight the “Accra Reset Initiative,” a policy framework he is championing to advance what he describes as “health sovereignty” for countries in the Global South. He is likely to call for a rethink of global health financing, especially at a time when many developing countries are grappling with reductions in donor support.
According to sources, the President will argue that the current global health architecture places too much reliance on external funding and stress the need for African and other developing nations to build more resilient, self-sustaining health systems.
Beyond the main address, President Mahama is also expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings with global health leaders. He will further host a side event titled “Geneva Clarion Call,” which forms part of efforts to rally international support for the Accra Reset agenda.
On arrival in Geneva, the President was received by the Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, alongside Mrs Nane Annan, widow of the late UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.
