Ghana is set to host the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit on Health, bringing together African leaders and key stakeholders to advance the continent’s health agenda.
The summit will be held under 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.”
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The gathering will 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.
Participants are expected to collaborate on strategies to strengthen Africa’s health systems and accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
The summit will be held in two phases. On July 21, 2026, senior officials from Ministries of Health, Finance and Economic or Development Planning will meet to prepare technical recommendations for consideration by ministers and Heads of State.
On the second day, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union will deliberate on and adopt key decisions, including a declaration aimed at accelerating the implementation of the African Union Roadmap to 2030.
In a statement issued by the Minister of Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the government said Ghana’s hosting of the summit reflects President John Dramani Mahama‘s commitment to equitable healthcare delivery and continental leadership.
According to the statement, the Mahama administration has introduced several health sector reforms, including the rollout of the Free Primary Health Care Programme, the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to expand access to healthcare, and the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares) to support Universal Health Coverage.
The statement added that the government is investing in health infrastructure, workforce development, emergency preparedness and local pharmaceutical manufacturing to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system while supporting Africa’s efforts to end AIDS and tuberculosis and reduce maternal mortality.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu described the summit as an important opportunity for African countries to unite around a shared vision of health equity and justice.
“President Mahama is proud to have Ghana host this important continental dialogue, and we urge all stakeholders to work towards practical, people-centred solutions for the health and wellbeing of all Africans,” he said.
A key side event during the summit will 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, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, in partnership with the Accra Reset initiative.
The Government of Ghana has welcomed Heads of State, delegates and stakeholders attending the summit and reaffirmed its commitment to working with the African Union and member states to advance Universal Health Coverage across the continent.
“Let us work together to turn this commitment into action,” the government urged African leaders.
