By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, July 21, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama will host the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Accra from July 21 to 22.
The Summit is on the theme: “Advancing Justice, Equity and Universal Health Coverage: Ending AIDS, TB, Improving Maternal Health, Addressing Endemic Non-Communicable and Neglected Tropical Diseases and Conditions in Africa.”
A statement issued by the Presidency said the Extraordinary Session would bring together African Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Health, Finance and Foreign Affairs, the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities, development partners, civil society organisations, youth representatives and private sector actors.
It said participants would discuss ways to strengthen Africa’s health systems and accelerate the attainment of Universal Health Coverage across the continent.
According to the statement, the Summit would be held in two phases.
On July 21, a Member State Experts Meeting would bring together senior officials from the Ministries of Health, Finance and Economic or Development Planning to lay the technical groundwork for ministerial and Heads of State deliberations.
On July 22, the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government would convene to deliberate on and adopt key decisions on Africa’s health priorities, including a declaration to accelerate the implementation of the African Union Roadmap to 2030.
The statement said Ghana’s decision to host the Summit reflected President Mahama’s commitment to equitable healthcare delivery and the country’s determination to provide leadership on the continent.
It said the Government had undertaken key reforms to expand access to quality healthcare, including the rollout of the Free Primary Health Care Programme and the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to guarantee broader access to essential health services.
The statement also cited the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares), a dedicated financing mechanism to support the attainment of Universal Health Coverage.
It said President Mahama was also spearheading investments in health infrastructure, workforce development, emergency preparedness and local pharmaceutical manufacturing, in line with the objectives of the Extraordinary Summit and Ghana’s commitment to supporting continental efforts to end AIDS and tuberculosis and reduce maternal mortality.
The statement described the Summit as a critical opportunity for Africa to unite around a shared vision of health equity and justice.
It said President Mahama was proud for Ghana to host the continental dialogue and urged all stakeholders to work towards practical, people-centred solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of Africans.
An important side event of the Summit would be a Call to Action on Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Survival to be led by the African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in partnership with the Accra Reset, the statement said.
It said the Government of Ghana extended a warm welcome to all Heads of State, delegates and stakeholders, and reaffirmed its commitment to working with the African Union and Member States to advance the shared goal of Universal Health Coverage across the continent.
“Let us work together to turn this commitment into action,” the statement said.
GNA.
Edited by Audrey Dekalu