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President John Dramani Mahama is set to host an Extraordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Accra as African leaders gather to discuss measures to strengthen healthcare systems and accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage across the continent.
The two-day summit, scheduled for July 21–22, 2026, is themed: “Advancing Justice, Equity and Universal Health Coverage: Ending AIDS, TB, Improving Maternal Health, Addressing Endemic Non-Communicable and Neglected Tropical Diseases and Conditions in Africa.”
The meeting is expected to bring together African Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Health, Finance and Foreign Affairs, representatives of the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities, development partners, civil society organisations, youth groups and private sector stakeholders.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday, July 21, the summit will focus on strengthening collaboration among AU member states and developing practical strategies to accelerate universal access to quality healthcare across Africa.
The first day of the summit will feature a technical meeting involving experts from Ministries of Health, Finance and Economic Planning. Their deliberations will inform decisions to be considered by African leaders during the Heads of State session on Wednesday, July 22.
During the summit, the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government is expected to adopt measures aimed at advancing the continent’s health priorities, including the implementation of the African Union Roadmap to 2030.
The government said Ghana’s hosting of the continental health summit underscores the country’s commitment to promoting equitable healthcare delivery and providing leadership in Africa’s health transformation agenda.
The statement highlighted key health initiatives introduced under President Mahama’s administration, including the rollout of the Free Primary Health Care Programme, the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares).
According to the government, these interventions are intended to expand access to healthcare, strengthen health financing and advance the country’s progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
The statement also noted that President Mahama has prioritised investments in health infrastructure, workforce development, emergency preparedness and local pharmaceutical manufacturing, which align with the objectives of the AU summit.
As part of the programme, the summit will feature a side event on maternal, newborn, child and adolescent survival, led by Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan in her capacity as the African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health, in partnership with the Accra Reset initiative.
The government has assured participating countries and stakeholders of Ghana’s readiness to host the summit and collaborate with AU member states in developing sustainable solutions to improve health outcomes across Africa.
The meeting is expected to strengthen continental cooperation in reducing disease burdens, expanding access to quality healthcare and achieving Universal Health Coverage across Africa by 2030.