Mahama hosts AU extraordinary summit on universal health coverage and ending AIDS
President John Dramani Mahama is hosting the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Accra from July 21 to 22, 2026, aimed at advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strengthening Africa’s response to major public health challenges.
The summit, themed “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,” will bring together African Heads of State and Government, ministers responsible for health, finance and foreign affairs, officials of the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities, development partners, civil society organisations, youth representatives and private sector stakeholders.
According to the Presidency, the two-day meeting will focus on strengthening Africa’s health systems and accelerating the continent’s progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
The summit opens on July 21 with a Member State Experts Meeting, where senior officials from the Ministries of Health, Finance and Economic Planning will develop technical recommendations for consideration by ministers and Heads of State.
On July 22, the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government will deliberate on and adopt key decisions, including a declaration aimed at accelerating the implementation of the African Union Roadmap to 2030.
The Presidency said Ghana’s hosting of the summit reflects President Mahama’s commitment to equitable healthcare delivery and his administration’s efforts to expand access to quality health services.
Key initiatives highlighted include the rollout of the Free Primary Health Care Programme, the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to improve access to essential healthcare, and the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCares, to support Universal Health Coverage.
The government also pointed to ongoing investments in health infrastructure, workforce development, emergency preparedness and local pharmaceutical manufacturing as measures that align with the objectives of the summit.
A major side event will feature a Call to Action on Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Survival, 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 all participating Heads of State, delegates and stakeholders, reaffirming its commitment to working with the African Union and member states to advance health equity and Universal Health Coverage across Africa.
