President John Dramani Mahama has held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, September 23, focused on deepening trade, bilateral, and diplomatic relations between Ghana and France.
In a Facebook post, President Mahama described the discussions as “productive,” writing: “Strengthening Ghana-France trade, bilateral and diplomatic relations. Good meeting with @emmanuelmacron on the sidelines of #UNGA80.”
Earlier, the President participated in a high-level meeting of heads of state and government convened by the Africa CDC under the theme “Securing Africa’s Health Sovereignty: Political Leadership for Sustainable Health Financing, Local Manufacturing, and Pandemic Preparedness.”
President Mahama underscored Ghana’s commitment to the health sovereignty agenda, outlining concrete measures being implemented at home. These include the passage of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Act to support patients with non-communicable diseases, the establishment of a National Vaccine Institute with seed funding of GH₵75 million, and plans to roll out free primary healthcare to guarantee universal access.
He also revealed that government had uncapped the National Health Insurance levy, restoring GH₵33.5 billion (about $300 million) in funding to the health sector.
Highlighting Ghana’s leadership in continental health initiatives, President Mahama cited the launch of the Accra Compact and the Accra Reset Agenda at last month’s African Health Sovereignty Summit.
“Africa must not only be invited to global health discussions; Africa must be a co-convener, a co-designer, and a co-owner of the solutions and outcomes,” he stressed.
