President Mahama Opens WHX Leaders Africa Summit, Calls for Bold Investments to Drive Continent’s Health Revolution

President of Ghana H.E John Dramani Mahama has declared the WHX Leaders Africa Summit 2025 officially open in Accra on Tuesday December 9, 2025 delivering a powerful call for Africa to assert its place in global health governance and accelerate the continent’s journey toward health sovereignty.

Speaking at the summit, held under the theme “Catalysing Africa’s Health Revolution Through Investment, Innovation, Impact and Infrastructure,” President Mahama described the gathering as “a defining continental moment — a moment when Africa asserts its rightful place in the global health architecture.”

He emphasized that Africa must be an active contributor, not an observer, in the new global health order.

“Africa cannot afford to be a bystander. Africa must be a participant,” he stated, stressing that global health systems are shifting rapidly, and the continent must position itself strategically.

Africa’s Rising Potential — and Persistent Vulnerabilities

Mahama highlighted the emergence of a new wave of African innovators in biotechnology, digital health, vaccine production and medical manufacturing. He noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) creates unprecedented opportunities for expanding health markets and industrial capacity.

However, he cautioned that long-standing weaknesses still prevail.

“Our vulnerabilities remain visible — persistent inequities, fragile supply chains, limited manufacturing capacity and insufficient investment in primary healthcare and emergency preparedness,” he said.

COVID-19, he noted, exposed those weaknesses most painfully.

“In moments of global crisis, Africa is often the last to receive support. No continent is safe until every continent is safe.”

Ghana’s Three-Pillar Health Agenda

President Mahama outlined three major initiatives forming the backbone of Ghana’s health transformation agenda:

The Ghana Medical Trust Fund (Mahamaca Initiative)

Designed to sustainably finance high-cost treatments including cancer, dialysis and advanced surgeries.

“Too many families have suffered financial devastation from these diseases. This initiative aims to break that cycle,” he said.

Universal Free Primary Healthcare

A national programme to ensure no Ghanaian is denied essential care because of cost.

“We are shifting our health model decisively toward prevention, early detection, and community-led care.”

Retooling and Modernising Health Facilities

Through PPP arrangements, Ghana will upgrade diagnostics, laboratories, imaging services, dialysis systems and supply chains nationwide.

Mahama affirmed: “Our mission requires a strong, modern infrastructure base, and we are committed to building it.”

A New Paradigm of Partnership

President Mahama urged global industry players—vaccine manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, DFIs, private equity and venture capital— to partner with Africa in building a resilient health industrial ecosystem.

“Africa seeks a new paradigm of partnership — one defined not by dependency, but by co-investment, innovation and shared values,” he said.

He added that AfCFTA’s unified market of 1.3 billion people, combined with strong political will and regulatory harmonisation through the African Medicines Agency, makes this the most favourable moment in history for large-scale health industrialisation on the continent.

“The table is set. The opportunity is enormous. The moment is now.”

A Call to Africa’s Innovators and Health Workforce

Mahama also honoured the continent’s doctors, nurses, scientists, health workers and young innovators.

“This new era is yours. We are building this new health order with you and for you,” he said.

A Historic Summit Begins

He closed with a strong call for action and accountability:

“Let this summit be remembered not for discussions but for commitments; not for intentions but for investments; not for aspirations but for implementation.”

With that, President Mahama officially opened the summit:

“It is my honour and privilege to declare the WHX Leaders Africa 2025 Summit officially open.”