Mahama Honoured at 2026 World Health Summit in Berlin
John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana, has received international recognition at the 2026 World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany, for his leadership and commitment to advancing global health. Organisers presented the Berliner Bär, bearing the summit’s official insignia, to mark the recognition, with Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh accepting the award on the President’s behalf. An accompanying plaque acknowledged Mr Mahama’s contribution to global health. Addressing the summit, Mr Akandoh called for a more equitable global health system in which countries play a leading role in determining their own priorities. “Global health must not be designed for countries; it must be designed with countries and led by countries,” he said.
Mr Akandoh highlighted Ghana’s free primary healthcare initiative, the Mahama Cares programme, increased investment in immunisation and efforts to mobilise domestic resources as part of the country’s strategy to strengthen its health system. He argued that sustainable healthcare requires domestic investment alongside fair international cooperation, urging global leaders to work together to improve health outcomes and save lives. The minister also called for a shift from dependency towards shared leadership in global health governance, emphasising that resilient health systems must be built through national commitment and equitable partnerships. Ghana’s message at the summit centred on greater country ownership of health policies, financing and programme implementation.
