President John Dramani Mahama is expected to deliver a keynote address today at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, where he will push for stronger health sovereignty and self-reliant healthcare systems across developing nations.

The World Health Assembly, organised by the World Health Organization, is the organisation’s highest decision-making body and brings together global leaders to shape international health policy, approve budgets and coordinate responses to global public health threats.

A major focus of President Mahama’s address will be the “Accra Reset Initiative,” which seeks to reposition countries in the Global South towards stronger and more independent healthcare systems amid growing concerns over cuts in international donor funding.

The President is expected to challenge world leaders to rethink the role and positioning of developing countries within the global health system while advocating sustainable healthcare financing and stronger domestic health institutions.

President Mahama is also expected to emphasise the need for African countries and other developing economies to reduce dependence on external aid by investing in resilient healthcare systems capable of addressing future public health emergencies.

As part of his engagements in Geneva, the President will hold bilateral meetings with international partners and host a side event under the theme: “Geneva Clarion Call.”

President Mahama was received on arrival in Switzerland by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Nane Annan, wife of the late former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

The Ghanaian leader was later taken on a tour of the Kofi Annan Lounge at the airport, a facility dedicated to the memory of the late diplomat by the Swiss government.

Government officials say Ghana is expected to receive major international attention during the Assembly, with more than 80 invitations extended to the country for participation in side events organised by global health institutions.

The events are expected to spotlight Ghana’s healthcare interventions, including free primary healthcare initiatives, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and the National Health Insurance Scheme.

The World Health Assembly comes at a time of increasing global concern over healthcare financing, pandemic preparedness and widening inequalities in access to medical resources between developed and developing countries.

Mahama to defend 'health sovereignty' at 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva

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