By Iyemah David
In a powerful display of African resolve and global solidarity, leaders and health champions convened in Accra for the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit to reshape global health governance and leadership.
The summit, held under the ambitious Accra Initiative on Tuesday in Accra, Ghana, attracted high-level participants from across Africa and the global health community.
It issued a rallying call to reimagine healthcare, co-create resilient systems, and, above all, assert African health sovereignty.
Ghana’s Minister of Health, Mr Kwabena Akandoh, opened the summit with a compelling call to action.
“This summit is not about polishing old declarations. It is about reimagining a future where Africa owns its health, where our well-being depends not on goodwill from afar, but on wisdom, solidarity, and investment from within,” he said.
Mr Akandoh emphasised that health sovereignty meant having the power to make binding decisions, deploy domestic resources, and lead health systems capable of protecting African lives and promoting dignity.
“Let this be the generation that builds accordingly because Africa deserves better,” he added.
Building on the vision, Nana Addo, from the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration), described the summit as a working platform, not merely a ceremonial gathering.
“The current global health architecture is no longer fit for purpose. This summit is our response, a co-creation space to build frameworks led by African priorities and national realities,” she said.
Addo announced plans to establish a Presidential Task Force to oversee the design and delivery of a Sovereign Health Framework, a roadmap for reforming health governance through African leadership.
“Africa is no longer a passive participant. We are now the authors of the reforms we need,” she declared.
The summit gained further momentum with solidarity messages from global champions, including Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Brown acknowledged the achievements of multilateralism in reducing infant and maternal mortality and eradicating diseases like polio and malaria but warned of dangerous global shifts.
“All the pillars on which this world order was built are crumbling. Global health as we once knew it is no more. But I believe that even out of this setback, we can shape a better, healthier future.”
He called for a new global health architecture rooted in country-led and regionally-led transition plans, shifting from aid dependency to self-reliant, locally anchored health systems.
Brown advocated for increased domestic revenue through taxes on harmful products such as tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks.
He also proposed innovative financing mechanisms, including guarantees from high-income countries.
Additionally, he emphasised the need to shift decision-making power to local actors, prioritising health delivery systems that were designed and implemented by the people, for the people.
“This transition will require new partnerships, increased funding, and a full embrace of African leadership.
“You, assembled in Accra, can be the leaders of this transformation.”
He endorsed the summit’s leadership, commending President John Mahama and other African leaders for stepping up to lead efforts toward global change.
“I assure you of my strong support and commitment to persuade others on this continent and beyond to join the worldwide movement you’ve begun today, and to back your efforts in every way we can,” he said.
Brown called for a rebalancing of global health governance and lauded Africa’s innovations and resilience during multiple health crises.
“Africa’s leadership in community-driven health responses is a lesson to the world.
“The European Union stands ready to support Africa’s roadmap for reform through equitable partnerships,” he said.
The N summit is expected to endorse a Sovereign Health Framework that will promote domestic health financing and reduce donor dependency.
It will also expand pharmaceutical production and strengthen control over the supply chain.
Additionally, the framework aims to elevate data-driven, community-anchored service delivery and advocate for Africa’s rightful leadership role in global health decision-making platforms such as the World Health Assembly and the G20.
