H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, set the tone for the opening of the World Health Expo (WHX) Leaders Africa 2025 Summit with a striking declaration: “Africa cannot afford to be a bystander.”
His message presents the continent’s biggest challenge not as a lack of potential, but as a lack of control over its own health destiny.
H.E. Dramani Mahama warned that Africa’s vulnerabilities exposed starkly during COVID-19 will persist unless the continent builds its own manufacturing base, strengthens supply chains, and invests in health systems that are resilient, innovative, and self-sustaining.
He urged African nations to seize control of vaccine production, medical manufacturing, and health innovation, noting that global crises have repeatedly shown that Africa is often last to receive support.
Health Minister Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh reinforced this call for self-determination, urging development partners to align with African-led strategies rather than impose external priorities.
Hon. Akandoh also highlighted Ghana’s national reforms, including the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, which removes financial barriers at the point of care, and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, which provides advanced care such as oncology, dialysis, and specialised diagnostics.
He stressed that these initiatives, coupled with a digital health infrastructure powered by AI and a centralised national health intelligence database, position Ghana to deliver equitable, evidence-based, and future-ready healthcare.
The Minister affirmed that Africa is ready and deserving of strategic, transformative, and sustainable partnerships.
“Let this summit be remembered as the moment Africa chose ambition over caution and unity over fragmentation,” he said, calling on all stakeholders to help build a healthier, stronger, and more sovereign continent.
The WHX Leaders Africa 2025 Summit is a two-day event held under the theme “Catalysing Africa’s Health Revolution Through Investment, Innovation, Impact and Infrastructure.”
