Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to adopt transformative approaches to address the continent’s persistent health challenges and improve healthcare outcomes.
Speaking at the presidential meeting of the 25th Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Accra on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Mahama said Africa must move beyond traditional healthcare strategies and pursue innovative solutions to protect the wellbeing of its people.
He said the continent had recorded progress through collective action, citing a significant decline in AIDS-related deaths, which have fallen by nearly three-quarters from their peak levels.
Mahama also noted improvements in the fight against tuberculosis, with incidence rates declining by 28 per cent and deaths reducing by 46 per cent in less than a decade, despite Africa remaining home to many of the world’s highest TB-burden countries.
The President, however, warned that major health challenges remain, including chronic hepatitis B and C infections affecting more than 90 million Africans and the continued impact of neglected tropical diseases.
He urged African leaders to ensure commitments made at the AU Assembly translate into practical actions and measurable solutions to improve health outcomes across the continent.