President John Dramani Mahama is poised to host an Extraordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Accra, where African leaders will convene to discuss strategies for enhancing healthcare systems and promoting Universal Health Coverage throughout the continent.
This two-day summit, set to take place from July 21 to 22, 2026, will revolve around 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.”
The gathering is anticipated to include African Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Health, Finance, and Foreign Affairs, representatives from the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities, development partners, civil society organizations, youth representatives, and stakeholders from the private sector.
As stated in a release issued on Tuesday, July 21, the summit aims to enhance collaboration among member states and formulate actionable strategies to expedite progress towards universal access to quality healthcare across Africa.
The initial phase of the summit, scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, will feature a technical meeting of experts from the Ministries of Health, Finance, and Economic Planning. These discussions will lay the groundwork for critical decisions that will be presented to African leaders during the Heads of State session.
On Wednesday, July 22, the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government will convene to discuss and adopt measures designed to advance Africa’s health priorities, including the execution of the African Union Roadmap to 2030.
Ghana’s choice to host this continental health conference underscores what the government describes as its commitment to fostering equitable healthcare delivery and leading Africa’s health transformation agenda.
The statement emphasized various health initiatives implemented during President Mahama’s tenure, which include the introduction of the Free Primary Health Care Programme, the removal of caps on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and the creation of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also referred to as MahamaCares.
The government indicated that these measures are part of a larger strategy to enhance healthcare access, improve health financing, and support the advancement towards Universal Health Coverage.
Furthermore, it noted that President Mahama has placed significant emphasis on investing in health infrastructure, workforce development, emergency preparedness, and local pharmaceutical production, all of which are in line with the goals of the AU summit.
Additionally, the summit will host a side event focused on the survival of mothers, newborns, children, and adolescents, led by the African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, in collaboration with the Accra Reset.
The government has assured participating nations and stakeholders of Ghana’s preparedness to host the summit and collaborate with AU member states to devise sustainable solutions aimed at enhancing health outcomes throughout the continent.
This meeting is anticipated to serve as a platform for African leaders to reinforce collective efforts towards alleviating disease burdens, enhancing healthcare access, and achieving the target of Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
