Kwabena Mintah Akandoh calls for inclusive global health policies

Ghana’s Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has called for a fundamental shift in the development of global health policies, advocating for an approach that prioritizes collaboration with sovereign nations over the imposition of external decisions. Speaking at the World Health Summit in Berlin, Akandoh emphasized that international healthcare priorities must be designed in partnership with the countries they affect to ensure long-term sustainability and effectiveness. He argued that the current global health architecture often fails to account for local contexts, necessitating a move toward international solidarity and genuine local ownership to strengthen national systems.

The Minister’s remarks align with the ‘Accra Reset’ agenda championed by President John Mahama, which seeks to reposition Ghana’s development strategy through self-reliance and strengthened institutional capacity. Akandoh noted that for global health initiatives to be truly successful, they must respect the sovereignty of individual nations and integrate seamlessly with existing national frameworks. By fostering an environment of mutual respect and shared responsibility, the Minister believes the international community can better address systemic health challenges that transcend borders.

In addition to his call for global reform, Akandoh highlighted Ghana’s domestic progress in expanding healthcare access through key initiatives such as the Free Primary Healthcare policy and the MahamaCares program. These projects are intended to bolster the national healthcare system by removing financial barriers and improving service delivery at the grassroots level. By showcasing these domestic efforts on the global stage, the Minister underscored Ghana’s commitment to achieving universal health coverage and building a resilient health infrastructure that serves all citizens under the current administration.