President John Dramani Mahama has called on African countries to move away from heavy dependence on foreign aid and build self-reliant healthcare systems capable of addressing the continent’s health challenges.
Speaking at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, President Mahama said recent cuts in humanitarian assistance and overseas development aid had exposed the weaknesses of Africa’s dependence on donor funding.
According to him, the changing global economic and political environment makes it necessary for African nations to rethink how healthcare systems are financed and managed.
“These cuts in humanitarian assistance and ODA, as painful as they are, serve as the final, clear signal that the old system of donor-dependency is past its sell-by date,” he stated.
President Mahama noted that several African countries have already begun feeling the impact of declining foreign support for healthcare programmes.
He revealed that Ghana lost about $78 million following the closure of USAID programmes, affecting malaria control, maternal and child health, nutrition and HIV/AIDS interventions.
“In Ghana, health financing from bilateral and multilateral partners has significantly decreased since 2025. Ghana lost $78 million following the closure of USAID programmes,” he said.
The President stressed that Africa must now focus on developing strong local healthcare systems, financing mechanisms and pharmaceutical production capacities to ensure long-term sustainability.
“We come to build a future where a country’s health is not a byproduct of charity, but a result of sovereign capability,” he stated.
President Mahama explained that achieving health sovereignty would require countries to finance their own core health functions, regulate healthcare quality standards and produce essential medicines locally.
He also highlighted Ghana’s healthcare reforms, including the expansion of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the rollout of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme and the launch of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, known as MahamaCares.
According to him, government has committed GHS 34 billion to the health sector in the 2026 budget as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery and expand coverage.
President Mahama further called on global health institutions to support reforms that prioritise practical healthcare solutions, resilient supply chains and stronger local manufacturing across Africa.
Source: Mubarak Yakubu
