Source: Agency Report

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Salvatore di Nolfi/EPA

In a bold address at the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit in Accra, Ghana, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called on African leaders to move beyond dependency on foreign aid and take charge of their healthcare future through increased domestic investment and systemic reforms.

The summit, held under the Accra Initiative, was convened by President John Mahama of Ghana, whom Dr. Tedros praised for his strong leadership and commitment to reforms aimed at boosting domestic health financing.

“This summit builds on the leadership of President Kagame and the African Union… But it goes a step further, acknowledging that finance alone will not take us to the aspirations of the Lusaka Agenda,” Dr. Tedros said.

Africa at a Health Financing Cliff

Dr. Tedros warned of a looming health financing cliff in Africa as foreign health aid continues to decline. He painted a grim picture of the current crisis:

• Life-saving medicines are lying unused in warehouses.
• Health workers are losing jobs.
• Clinics are shutting down.
• Millions of people are missing essential care.

Yet, within this crisis, he sees opportunity.

“In this crisis lies the chance to embrace a new era of sovereignty, self-reliance, and solidarity,” he said.

Ghana’s Model of Health Sovereignty

Ghana’s reforms, particularly its legislation to strengthen the National Health Insurance Scheme, were held up as an example for other African countries. Dr. Tedros emphasized that while private and philanthropic support remains vital, public financing must form the bedrock of Africa’s health systems.

He also revealed a shocking inefficiency in the current system: up to 13% of health budgets in low- and middle-income countries go unspent due to weak financial systems.

Tackling Structural Constraints and Financial Injustice

Dr. Tedros didn’t shy away from addressing systemic financial issues:

• In 2023, Africa received $74 billion in aid but lost $90 billion to illicit financial flows and $55 billion through corporate tax exemptions.

“Africa lost more than it gained from aid. This is unacceptable,” he declared.

To address this imbalance, he proposed:

• Health taxes on harmful products.
• Digital financial systems for transparency.
• Pooled procurement and domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing.

He noted that a 50% increase in taxes on harmful products could generate $3.7 trillion globally in five years and save millions of lives.

A Call for a New Global Health Order

Dr. Tedros also highlighted a landmark resolution led by Nigeria and co-sponsored by over 25 countries, including Ghana, during the recent World Health Assembly, aimed at making global health governance more democratic and equitable.

“Africa does not need charity. Africa needs fair terms,” he said, echoing the famous words of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah.

He concluded with a rallying call:

“The difference between crisis and opportunity is leadership. It’s an investment to be nurtured – in people, in stability, and in prosperity.”