President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, has called for increased international cooperation and equitable distribution of resources, asserting that a prosperous and healthy Africa is an asset to global advancement, not a threat.
Speaking as co-chair during the High-Level segment of the One Health Summit in France yesterday, President Mahama pointed out the significant disparities in global health preparedness and resource allocation among nations.
“Unfortunately, as I address you today, those countries most vulnerable to health crises are often the least equipped to manage them. The situation must be rectified,” he remarked.
He emphasized that enhancing health outcomes across Africa would yield benefits for the entire globe. “The world must confront the undeniable truth, a healthy and flourishing Africa poses no danger to anyone. Instead, it can serve as a catalyst for worldwide progress,” Mahama stated.
The President also urged for more equitable access to essential resources such as funding, technology, and innovation to bolster health systems in at-risk regions. “We must guarantee fair access to financing, technology, data, and innovation. It is crucial to promote research and facilitate knowledge exchange. We should assist nations in constructing resilient systems capable of effectively detecting, preventing, and responding to health threats,” he added.
Addressing the urgency for more decisive global action, President Mahama highlighted the necessity for stronger political will to implement reforms. “While we have had discussions on these issues, our progress in establishing the required infrastructure has been sluggish. Let us harness the political commitment needed to unify our fragmented regulatory frameworks and let Lyon mark a pivotal moment,” he asserted.
The One Health Summit held in France gathered global leaders, policymakers, and health professionals to tackle interconnected health challenges such as disease prevention, environmental threats, and global health security.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong