President John Dramani Mahama is set to welcome African Heads of State and other key stakeholders to Accra for an Extraordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government focused on transforming healthcare delivery across the continent.
The two-day summit, scheduled for July 21 to 22, 2026, will centre on efforts to strengthen health systems, expand Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and accelerate progress towards ending AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) in Africa.
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 will bring together African leaders, Ministers of Health, Finance and Foreign Affairs, the African Union Commission, development partners, civil society organisations, youth groups and private sector representatives.
The summit will begin on Tuesday, July 21, with a technical session involving experts from Ministries of Health, Finance and Economic Planning across member states. The discussions are expected to shape policy recommendations that will be presented to Heads of State during the main AU Assembly session on Wednesday, July 22.
African leaders are expected to deliberate on measures to improve healthcare financing, strengthen health infrastructure, expand access to quality medical services and implement the African Union Roadmap to 2030.
Ghana’s hosting of the continental gathering reflects the country’s push to play a leading role in Africa’s health transformation agenda. Government says the summit provides an opportunity to share experiences and build stronger partnerships towards achieving equitable healthcare delivery.
Ahead of the meeting, government highlighted key health initiatives introduced under President Mahama’s administration, including the Free Primary Health Care Programme, the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCares.
According to government, the initiatives are aimed at expanding healthcare access, improving health financing and supporting Ghana’s progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
President Mahama’s administration has also prioritised investments in health infrastructure, workforce development, emergency preparedness and local pharmaceutical manufacturing, areas aligned with the objectives of the AU summit.
The summit will also feature a special side event on maternal, newborn, child and adolescent survival, led by Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health, in partnership with the Accra Reset.
As African leaders gather in Accra, the summit is expected to serve as a platform for stronger continental cooperation in tackling major health challenges and advancing the goal of universal access to quality healthcare by 2030
