President John Dramani Mahama is expected to deliver a keynote speech today, Monday, May 18, at the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva.
WHA is the main decision-making meeting of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The assembly brings together health ministers, presidents, health experts, and international development partners from different countries to discuss global health priorities, approve the WHO’s budget, and coordinate responses to health emergencies and new disease threats.
During his address, President Mahama is expected to focus strongly on the “Accra Reset Initiative,” a policy idea he has been promoting to reshape global health partnerships and strengthen what he calls “health sovereignty” for developing countries, especially those in the Global South.
The initiative encourages countries to reduce their heavy reliance on foreign donor support and instead build stronger and more independent healthcare systems.
President Mahama is also expected to urge global leaders and international organisations to rethink the inequalities in global health financing.
His message comes at a time when many low and middle-income countries are facing major cuts in international donor funding.
He is likely to stress the need for developing nations to invest more in their own healthcare systems. This includes improving local health infrastructure, expanding pharmaceutical manufacturing, and ensuring that citizens can access affordable and fair healthcare services.
The idea of “health sovereignty” is expected to be a key part of his speech. Through the Accra Reset Initiative, he plans to advocate for a fairer global health system that gives developing countries greater control over their healthcare priorities, funding, and emergency response systems.
Aside from the main assembly session, President Mahama will also hold several high-level meetings with world leaders, development partners, and heads of international health organisations.
He is further expected to host a special side event under the Accra Reset Initiative called “Geneva Clarion Call”.
The event will bring together policymakers and global health stakeholders to discuss health equity, reforms in healthcare financing, and ways to build sustainable health systems for the future.
