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Africa leaders launch SUSTAIN initiative to finance stronger health systems
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A new framework to boost Africa’s ability to finance and manage its own health systems has been launched at the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit in Accra.
The framework, called the SUSTAIN Initiative, was introduced on August 5, 2025, under the patronage of President John Dramani Mahama.
The summit brought together former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim of Mauritius, and the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus.
According to the summit communiqué, the SUSTAIN Initiative is designed to reduce Africa’s reliance on external aid by mobilizing domestic resources and encouraging private sector participation.
Leaders said it would provide long-term funding for health while linking health sovereignty to wider areas such as trade, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and digital infrastructure.
The initiative will also work through existing African Union platforms, including the PROPER supply chain traceability system, the PanaBIOS digital certification platform, and the AfCFTA Hub, to integrate African businesses into global trade networks.
Participants at the summit stressed that health must be treated as a driver of productivity and economic transformation, not only as a social service. They called for equity, transparency, and inclusive participation in decision-making to ensure all countries, especially low- and middle-income ones, benefit from the new system.
The leaders further agreed to establish a Presidential High-Level Panel to guide the rollout of the new framework and coordinate with development partners.
“The SUSTAIN Initiative is a turning point in Africa’s journey towards self-reliant and resilient health systems,” the communiqué stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The IGP Special Operations Team (SOT) has arrested seven persons in an intelligence-led operation targeting narcotics activities in the Ashanti Region.
The operations were carried out at Ejisu, Abrepo Junction and Atimatim on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
According to the Police, the swoop followed intelligence gathered on suspected narcotic-related activities in the areas, with the objective of identifying and apprehending persons suspected to be involved in the possession, control and use of narcotic substances.
At Ejisu, the Police arrested Nana Kwadwo Adu, 43, and Nana Kwame Fella, 48.
At Abrepo Junction, five persons were picked up Stephanie Anokye, 23; Roland Anokye, 20; Gideon Owusu, 30; and Grace Fosua, 27.
At Atimatim, the team arrested Kofi Opoku, 27, who was suspected of involvement in the peddling of narcotic substances and had reportedly evaded arrest on previous occasions.
The operations led to the recovery of pill pouches containing dried leaves suspected to be narcotic substances, quantities of Tramaking 225mg and 250mg, Royal 255mg and Rophynol 100mg, as well as 860 tablets and capsules of Tramadol suspected to be unregistered drugs. An unspecified amount of Ghanaian currency was also retrieved.
All seven suspects are currently in Police custody and are assisting with investigations.
Police say the ongoing investigations are intended to establish the source of the substances, determine the full extent of the suspects’ involvement, and identify other persons who may be connected to the suspected activities.
The Command has urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to the Police to support efforts to maintain public safety and security, adding that further updates will be provided in due course.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has presented the Business Statement for the emergency meeting of Parliament ending Friday, August 28, 2026.
Presenting the statement on the floor of the House, Mr.Ayariga noted that the recall is to consider urgent parliamentary business which cannot be deferred.
He explained that the House is expected to consider, among others, the presentation and First Reading of Bills, namely the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the National Petroleum Authority Bill, 2026.
The Appointments Committee is also expected to vet Mahama Ayariga as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology, as well as three nominee Justices of the Supreme Court.
The emergency meeting was convened by the Speaker of Parliament pursuant to Order 53 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, following a request by the Majority Leader to deal with pressing national issues.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
