Former President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to reframe health not as a financial burden, but as a strategic investment crucial to the continent’s development and sovereignty.

Speaking at a high-level meeting organised by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in New York, President Mahama stressed the urgent need for Africa to build resilient health systems capable of withstanding future global health emergencies.

“Health is not a cost. It is the engine of productivity and the foundation of sovereignty,” he said.

The meeting, held under the theme “Securing Africa’s Health Sovereignty: Political Leadership for Sustainable Health Financing, Local Manufacturing, and Pandemic Preparedness,” brought together heads of state, government officials, and global health stakeholders to assess the continent’s preparedness in a post-COVID-19 world.

Mahama’s remarks come as Africa intensifies efforts to scale up local vaccine production, secure long-term health financing, and bolster pandemic readiness. He emphasised that without robust health systems, the continent’s economic and political independence would remain fragile.

On Tuesday, Mahama will continue to champion this cause by hosting a high-level side event on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. The event, titled “The Accra Reset: Reimagining Global Governance for Health and Development,” is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. GMT and will bring together global partners and policymakers to explore new frameworks for equitable health cooperation.

Mahama’s interventions reflect a broader continental push for Africa to assert greater control over its health security agenda, ensuring it is not sidelined in future global crises.