President John Dramani Mahama has called for stronger global cooperation and equitable access to resources, stating that a healthy and thriving Africa poses no threat but rather offers a positive force for global progress.
Speaking as co-chair of the High-Level segment of the One Health Summit in Lyon on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, he highlighted the disparities in global health preparedness and resource allocation.
“Regrettably, as I speak with you today, countries that are most at risk have the least resources to cope. This must change,” he stated.
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He stressed that improving health outcomes on the continent would benefit the entire world.
“The world must face the stark and uncompromising fact that a healthy and thriving Africa is no threat to anyone. It will be a positive force for global progress,” President Mahama said.
He further called for fairer access to critical resources, including financing, technology, and innovation, to strengthen health systems in vulnerable regions.
“We must therefore ensure fair access to financing, technology, data, and innovation. We need to enhance research and knowledge sharing. We must support countries in building resilient systems to detect, prevent, and respond effectively,” he added.
Addressing concerns about the pace of global action, President Mahama underscored the need for stronger political commitment to drive reforms.
“Although we have discussed it, we have been slow in developing the necessary infrastructure for delivery. Let’s master the political will to integrate our fragmented regulatory environment and let Lyon be the turning point,” he noted.
The One Health Summit brings together global leaders, policymakers, and health experts to address interconnected health challenges, including disease prevention, environmental risks, and global health security.
