Speaking at the presidential meeting of the 25th Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Accra, Mahama said Africa must rethink how it delivers healthcare and focus on solutions capable of addressing the evolving needs of its population.
The Ghanaian leader noted that while the continent continues to face significant public health pressures, there are clear examples showing that coordinated African efforts can produce meaningful results.
Mahama highlighted progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, noting that although Africa remains home to about two-thirds of the estimated 40 million people living with HIV globally, AIDS-related deaths across the continent have declined by nearly 75% from their peak levels.
He also pointed to improvements in the fight against tuberculosis. While 17 of the world’s 30 countries with the highest TB burden are still located in Africa, Mahama said the continent has recorded a 28% reduction in tuberculosis incidence and a 46% decline in related deaths in less than a decade.
According to the president, these achievements demonstrate that stronger cooperation, investment and commitment can help Africa overcome major health obstacles.
However, he warned that significant gaps remain and urged African governments to intensify efforts to protect communities from ongoing and emerging health threats.
“For example, more than 90 million of our people live with chronic hepatitis B or C, most of them undiagnosed. Neglected tropical diseases still blind the figure and stigmatize our people,” Mahama said.
He stressed that commitments made during the African Union meeting must translate into practical programmes, measurable outcomes and lasting improvements in healthcare delivery.
Mahama’s remarks come as African nations continue to grapple with challenges including limited healthcare infrastructure, disease prevention gaps, unequal access to treatment and the need for greater investment in local health systems.
The Ghanaian president said the continent’s future health security will depend on moving beyond crisis response and adopting approaches that prioritize prevention, innovation, stronger health systems and long-term resilience.