President John Dramani Mahama is expected to take centre stage today [Monday, May 18] in Geneva as he delivers a keynote address at the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA), the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organisation (WHO), as part of efforts to reframe global health governance and strengthen health sovereignty for developing nations, particularly those in the Global South.
The WHA brings together health ministers, Heads of State, global health experts, and development partners from across the world to set strategic health priorities, approve the WHO’s operational budget, and coordinate collective responses to public health emergencies and emerging health threats.
President Mahama’s address is expected to place strong emphasis on the “Accra Reset Initiative,” a flagship policy direction he has been championing to redefine global health partnerships and promote what he describes as “health sovereignty” for developing countries.
The initiative seeks to encourage a shift away from heavy dependence on external donor support toward more resilient, self-sustaining national health systems.
The President is expected to use the platform to challenge global leaders and multilateral institutions to reconsider the structural inequalities in global health financing, especially at a time when several low and middle-income countries are grappling with significant reductions in international donor funding.
He is expected to argue that the changing global financial landscape makes it imperative for developing nations to invest more in domestic health infrastructure, strengthen pharmaceutical production capacities, and improve access to affordable and equitable healthcare services.
The concept of “health sovereignty,” which underpins the Accra Reset Initiative, is expected to feature prominently in his speech, with calls for a more balanced global health architecture that empowers countries in the Global South to take greater control over their health priorities, financing systems, and emergency response mechanisms.
Beyond the plenary session, President Mahama is also scheduled to engage in a series of high-level bilateral meetings with global leaders, development partners, and heads of international health institutions on the sidelines of the assembly.
He will further host a special Accra Reset side event themed “Geneva Clarion Call,” which is expected to bring together policymakers and global health stakeholders to deepen discussions on health equity, financing reform, and sustainable health system development.
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