President Mahama is in Brussels for the Global Summit on Health and Prosperity through Immunization as a leading advocate for the GAVI Vaccine Alliance’s replenishment efforts, aiming to secure critical funding to immunize millions of children worldwide.
The Summit is co-hosted by the European Union, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and GAVI.
The summit seeks to mobilize support for GAVI’s 2026-2030 strategy, which targets vaccinating 500 million more children, preventing 8 million deaths and mitigating 150 disease outbreaks, yielding over $100 billion in economic benefits.
President Mahama, a longtime champion of immunization, emphasized the importance of global solidarity in ensuring equitable vaccine access, particularly for lower-income nations.
“A fully funded GAVI will save lives, boost economies, and fortify global health security,” he stated.
This is not his first advocacy for the cause. In 2013, Mr. Mahama played a pivotal role in rallying support for GAVI’s life-saving initiatives.
Since its inception in 2000, GAVI has immunized over a billion children, averted 18.8 million deaths, and contributed $250 billion in economic gains to vulnerable nations.
During his visit, President Mahama will engage with key stakeholders, including European Council President and philanthropist Bill Gates, to reinforce commitments to global immunization.
Below is the full statement from the Presidency on President Mahama’s trip:
President Mahama arrives in Brussels as Advocate for GAVI Vaccine Replenishment.
President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in Brussels, Belgium, as a prominent advocate
and ambassador for the GAVI Alliance’s crucial vaccine replenishment efforts. President
Mahama will participate in the Global Summit on Health and Prosperity through
Immunisation, co-hosted by the European Union, the Gates Foundation, and the Vaccine
Alliance.
The Summit aims to secure vital support for Gavi’s ambitious 2026-2030 strategy. This
strategy seeks to immunise an additional 500 million children, save over 8 million lives, and
protect against up to 150 disease outbreaks, delivering over $100 billion in economic
benefits.
President Mahama’s presence highlights the vital role of global cooperation in providing
fair access to vaccines, especially in lower-income countries. Having experienced the
transformative impact of immunisation in Ghana and across Africa first-hand, President
Mahama has been dedicated to advocating for a fully funded Gavi.
In 2013, he played a similar role to support the Alliance in its mission to save children’s lives
and protect health by increasing immunisation. President Mahama believes that a fully funded Gavi will save millions of lives, unlock significant economic potential, and strengthen global health security.
The Global Summit provides a critical opportunity to garner renewed commitment from
traditional and newer donors, highlighting the proven effectiveness and value of Gavi’s
partnerships with governments, international organisations, civil society, communities, and
industry leaders.
Since 2000, Gavi has reached over a billion children with life-saving vaccines, preventing
more than 18.8 million deaths and generating over $250 billion in economic benefits for
lower-income economies.
While in Brussels, President Mahama will also hold discussions with many leaders, including
the President of the EU Council of Ministers and Bill Gates.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP.
Spokesperson to the President,
Minister, Government Communications.
