President John Dramani Mahama is set to deliver a keynote address today at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva.
The Assembly, the primary decision-making body of the World Health Organization, brings together global leaders to set strategic health priorities, approve operational budgets, and coordinate responses to international public health emergencies.
A key focus of President Mahama’s address will be the “Accra Reset Initiative,” a project aimed at advancing “health sovereignty” across the Global South. The President is expected to urge world leaders to rethink the positioning of developing nations, particularly in the wake of major cuts to international donor funding.
His address will stress the need for African and developing countries to build resilient and self-reliant health systems.
President Mahama is also expected to hold bilateral meetings and host an Accra Reset side event themed “Geneva Clarion Call.”
He was received on arrival in Geneva by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Nane Annan.
The President was later taken on a tour of the Kofi Annan Lounge, a facility dedicated to the memory of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan by the Swiss government.
Ghana is expected to receive significant global attention during the Assembly, with more than 80 invitations extended to participate in side events organised by international health institutions, highlighting the country’s healthcare initiatives including Free Primary Healthcare, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, and the National Health Insurance Scheme.
