Ghana's Deputy Health Minister appointed to African Union global health committee
via GhanaWeb3 min read
Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, Ghana's Deputy Minister of Health and National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan, has been appointed as a Secretariat Member of the African High-Level Ministerial Committee AHLMC. This African Union initiative aims to strengthen Africa鈥檚 influence in global health decision-making and reform the global health architecture to benefit the continent. Her appointment, announced in a letter dated April 13, 2026, by Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention CDC Director-General, Dr. Jean Kaseya, follows a decision by the AU Assembly in February 2026. The AHLMC seeks to consolidate Africa鈥檚 position for a more equitable, coherent, and effective global health system. As a Secretariat member, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah, a board-certified general surgeon and public health policy expert, will contribute to advancing priorities such as health governance reform, sustainable financing, equity in healthcare access, resilient health systems, and data and accountability. Her role positions Ghana prominently within Africa鈥檚 efforts to reshape global health governance and aligns with President John Dramani Mahama鈥檚 health agenda, which emphasizes health sovereignty, system strengthening, preventive care, and regional cooperation. President Mahama has prioritized improving public health financing, rebuilding confidence in the National Health Insurance Scheme, expanding access to primary healthcare, and launched the Free Primary Healthcare policy
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President John Dramani Mahama met with Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, and Joy Phumaphi, Executive Secretary of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance ALMA, in Accra to discuss strengthening public health systems in Africa. The discussions focused on the Accra Reset, President Mahama's vision for an Africa that manufactures its own vaccines, builds resilient health systems, and reduces reliance on foreign aid. President Mahama also highlighted Ghana's Free Primary Health Care programme, which provides free basic healthcare services at CHPS compounds and polyclinics without requiring a National Health Insurance Scheme card, as part of Ghana's efforts towards Universal Health Coverage. Byanyima praised President Mahama's leadership in promoting health sovereignty, recognizing its importance for Ghana, Africa, and the Global South. This meeting took place as Accra hosts the African Union Extraordinary Summit on Health, where African leaders are convening to strategize on strengthening health systems, promoting equity, and improving healthcare outcomes across the continent.
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