Africa CDC Director General pays courtesy call on Minister of Health 

The Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Dr. Jean Kaseya, has paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to sign a data-sharing agreement between Ghana and Africa CDC.

During the meeting, Mr. Akandoh stated that Ghana’s Health Security Bill is ready and will soon be presented to Cabinet and Parliament for approval.

 The bill is part of the country’s broader efforts to strengthen national health resilience.

The Minister also reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to Primary Health Care (PHC), noting that it has a flagship program aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). He emphasized that financial barriers often hinder access to health services, and the rollout of free primary health care would serve as a major catalyst in accelerating Ghana’s path toward UHC.

Mr. Akandoh praised Africa CDC’s continued support to Ghana, highlighting several key contributions. He called for sustainable financing models to close the healthcare funding gap, urging African nations to “think outside the box” and take ownership of their health systems.

 “Africa must take its destiny into its own hands,” he stated, expressing hope that the Director-General’s visit would help prioritize these concerns.

In his remarks, Dr. Jean Kaseya highlighted Africa’s over-reliance on imported medical solutions. 

 “We don’t produce our own vaccines or medicines for diseases like Ebola, Marburg, and cholera. That has to change,” he said.

Dr. Kaseya also hinted at an upcoming summit involving 19 Heads of State, which will focus on challenges in local pharmaceutical manufacturing and access to health technologies. 

He urged African nations to move beyond dependence on foreign aid and invest in their medical solutions, stressing the importance of innovation, investment, and strong leadership.

“When you combine conflict, poor funding, and weak systems, you build the foundation of another pandemic,” he warned. “This is our opportunity to change course.”

In closing, Dr. Kaseya reaffirmed the shared commitment to continue working together to build a stronger, self-reliant health sector for Ghana and the African continent.