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President Mahama urges African leaders to build resilient, self-sustaining health systems
President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to take bold steps in building resilient and self-sustaining health systems across the continent.
He made the call at the opening of the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit held on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, in Accra.
Addressing the gathering, President Mahama said the time had come for Africa to stop relying heavily on foreign aid to solve its health challenges.
He stressed that African countries must become the authors of their own health future by investing in local solutions and strengthening national health systems.
“This summit is not just a meeting, it is a call to action. Africa must no longer be the patient. We must be the drivers, the architects, and the advocates of our own health destiny,” the President stated.
President Mahama thanked the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, for attending and for offering technical support to help Ghana develop its own primary health care system.
He noted that although Africa had made significant gains in health outcomes over the years, recent cuts in donor aid had put many of those achievements at risk, including Ghana’s Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) programme.
He added that the issue extended beyond funding, describing it as a failure of global solidarity and a challenge to Africa’s right to set its own health priorities.
According to him, the continent must stop being a passive recipient of aid and instead take full ownership of its health agenda.
He described the summit not just as a policy forum, but as a moral call to action and a strategic turning point for the continent.
President Mahama expressed gratitude to key partners, including the African Union, the Rockefeller Foundation, Georgetown University, and the Obasanjo Foundation for their continued support.
He also stated that Africa did not suffer from a lack of capability, but from a lack of perspective, urging leaders to view health not as a cost, but as a “currency of dignity.”
The Director General of the World Health Organization( WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in his remarks, warned that sharp declines in aid were putting millions of lives at risk.
He praised Ghana’s recent steps to increase local funding for its National Health Insurance Scheme, calling it a strong example of political commitment to health sovereignty.
Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh called for intentional plan for Africa’s health future focused on wisdom, investment, and leadership from within the continent.
The summit, hosted in Accra, brought together African Heads of State, health ministers, and global health leaders to discuss urgent reforms in the way health systems are governed and financed on the continent.
It aims to push for reforms in global health governance and highlight national ownership, local investment, and stronger leadership in public health.
Key outcomes of the summit include the endorsement of The Accra Initiative, the launch of the SUSTAIN Initiative to promote domestic health financing, and the formation of a Presidential High-Level Panel. The Accra Compact, a document outlining Africa’s unified vision for health sovereignty, was also adopted.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
IGP to arrest perpetrators of violence at the Ablekuma North elections – Nana B
The National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, has disclosed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has pledged to arrest all those involved in the recent violence at the Ablekuma North elections.
In a Facebook post, Nana B said the assurance was given during a meeting between political parties and the IGP over security preparations for the upcoming Akwatia by-election, scheduled for September 2, 2025.
According to him, the NPP delegation, made up of himself, Member of Parliament for Ayawaso Central Henry Quartey, and DCOP Kwasi Ofori, urged the IGP to take swift action against the perpetrators of the violence.
He explained that their images had been widely captured in photos and videos, and their arrest would serve as a warning to others planning to cause disturbances in future elections.
“The IGP assured the NPP that the police will very soon arrest all the perpetrators of the Ablekuma North elections violence,” Nana B stated.
He further disclosed that the police plan to deploy about 5,000 officers to ensure adequate security across all polling stations during the Akwatia by-election.
The NPP, however, called on the police not to apply the law selectively.
Nana B noted that while some persons linked to the NPP have been arrested over social media commentary, others aligned with different political parties appear to have been left off the hook.
Despite this concern, the NPP expressed appreciation to the IGP for engaging political parties ahead of the by-election.
The party said it expects concrete steps to be taken to bring the perpetrators of the Ablekuma North violence to book.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
Efforts are underway to fix the Ofankor–Nsawam Road – Ghana Highway Authority assures drivers
The Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) has assured motorists that steps are being taken to repair the bad portions of the Ofankor–Nsawam Road.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the Authority said it had taken note of recent demonstrations and complaints from drivers, especially over the stretch between Sapeiman and Medie/Sansam junction.
According to the statement, the contractor has already fixed parts of the damaged road.
It mentioned that as of Monday, August 18, about five gangs were working on both the northbound and southbound lanes to improve safety and riding comfort.
The GHA appealed to drivers and commuters to be patient and cautious while using the road and to cooperate with traffic wardens and flagmen to avoid traffic jams.
It added that law enforcement officers had also been engaged to help manage traffic.
The Authority expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by the works and assured the public that the project would be completed.
It said regular updates would be given on the progress.
By: Jacob Aggrey
