African Health Sovereignty in A Reimagined Global Health Governance Architecture
Accra will host a landmark gathering of African Heads of State, policymakers,
and global health stakeholders at the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit.
Convened by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, this
summit will serve as a call to reimagine global health governance amid a rapidly shaping
geopolitical and economic landscape.
It aims to foster a new era of health sovereignty rooted in
national ownership, investment, and leadership.
Progress and Urgency:
Why this High-Level Meeting
Significant progress has been made in global health over recent decades: child mortality has been
halved since 1990, maternal deaths have decreased by over 40% since 2000, HIV/AIDS deaths have been halved since 2010, and 1.4 billion people now enjoy healthier lives thanks to improved
tobacco control, cleaner air, and be]er access to clean water, sanita9on, and healthcare.
However, these gains are at risk. Shaping geopolitics, diminished mutelaterism , reduced donor
funding, and emerging health threats have exposed significant structural flaws in the global health
system.
The current global health governance framework—designed in a different era—no longer
adequately reflects today’s poli9cal, economic, or demographic realizes.
Reform is now crucial; it is urgent both nationally and internationally.
Countries must take greater
responsibility for their health governance and funding.
Globally, there is an immediate need to overhaul health governance systems.
In response, this African-led global gathering will advance mul9ple ini9a9ves to mobilise global
partners and global consensus to address these challenges.
Summit Deliverables:
The Summit will deliberate and formally endorse The Accra Initiatives. This bold, action-oriented outcome document will establish shared principles, benchmarks, and a roadmap for reforming global health governance in alignment with national priorities for health sovereignty.
Key outcomes of the Summit will include:
● Crea9on of a Presiden9al High-Level Panel to design a roadmap for a re-imagined global
health governance architecture aligned with na9onal and interna9onal efforts.
● Commitment to core principles of inclusivity, leadership, accountability, resilience,
sustainable funding, and cross-sector collabora9on.
● Launch of the SUSTAIN initiative to promote country-led and investment-driven health
systems, powered by domestic resources, private sector engagement, philanthropic
partnerships, and technical expertise.
● Endorsement of the Accra Compact, articulating Africa’s vision for health sovereignty and
a more equitable global health order.
This Summit builds on the ongoing efforts of President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and African Union
Institutions to improve health financing and continental health coordination.
However, it also calls
for urgent reform of global health governance to be]er reflect the realizes of a changed world,
where Africa’s voice and leadership must take centre stage.
The Summit follows President Mahama’s passionate speech in June 2025 at the Global Summit on Health and Prosperity in Brussels, and draws inspiration from his leadership during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, where he directed regional efforts to control the epidemic, showcasing Africa’s capacity to respond to crises with unity and determination.
That same spirit of continental and global solidarity now underpins the Accra Compact.
“Africa must take charge of its health des4ny—not in isolation, but through determined,
coordinated action. This Summit is our moment to lead not only in financing our systems but also
in reshaping the rules that govern global health—rules that must reflect the voices and reali4es of
our people”, President John Mahama said about the Summit.
