Mahama, who also serves as the African Union Champion for African Financial Institutions, described the initiative as a bold response to what he called a “fraying” global development architecture. He highlighted setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic, which erased two decades of progress in less than two years, as well as rising debt burdens and climate shocks now placing over 700 million people at risk of hunger.

“The world is only five years from 2030,” Mahama said. “The question is not simply what new targets should replace the SDGs, but how we design institutions and financing systems that actually work. Workability is the name of the game now—innovative financing instruments, new business models, and smarter coalitions that multiply resources rather than ration them.”

Referencing the 2001 Monterrey Consensus that led to global health financing platforms such as GAVI and the Global Fund, Mahama called for a similarly bold rethinking of multilateralism—one that prioritizes sustainable value creation over mere aspirations.

The Accra Reset proposes a new global development framework anchored on three key principles: sovereignty, workability, and shared value. The health sector will serve as the starting point and proof of concept, shifting from aid dependency to health sovereignty. This builds on commitments made at the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit held in Accra in August 2025.

To implement the Reset, a coalition known as the Club of Accra will pilot financing innovations and establish “geostrategic dealrooms” to channel investments into health, climate, food security, and job creation.

A major announcement was the creation of a Global Presidential Council, bringing together leaders from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and other regions to ensure political leadership and accountability. Additionally, a Global College of Advisors will be formed, comprising leading experts in health, finance, innovation, and business, to guide pilot projects and design new financing mechanisms.

The initiative has already garnered wide-ranging support. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, co-convener of the initiative, urged a new era of solidarity and a move away from aid dependency. Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown described the Accra Reset as “a plan for the future,” stressing the importance of strengthening health sovereignty.

A speech delivered on behalf of Kenyan President William Ruto emphasized aligning financing with national ambitions and holding the Global Presidential Council accountable for delivering universal health coverage. Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley pledged to align industrial and skills policies to boost pharmaceutical manufacturing across the Global South.

Private sector support was also strong, with Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Bank, committing to mobilize financing and leadership. Endorsements also came from WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, both stressing the urgency of “rewiring” outdated global norms.

With the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals approaching and fewer than half of the 169 targets on track, the Accra Reset is being presented as a blueprint to realign the global development agenda with today’s pressing realities.

Source: AdomOnline

The high-level roundtable was attended by the Director-Generals of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), alongside representatives of major financial institutions. Discussions centered on Africa’s need to chart a path less dependent on donor support.

The Accra Reset, co-chaired by President Mahama and former Nigerian leader Olusegun Obasanjo, seeks to rally African nations around sustainable strategies that prioritize internal funding and partnerships.

Speaking at the event, President Mahama stressed the urgency of finding solutions from within, citing lessons from past crises and the shifting global order.

“Africa must take charge of its own destiny. We cannot continue to rely solely on external donors. We must build resilient systems that serve our people,” he said.

Organizers say the initiative represents a bold step toward African-led collaboration, designed not only to strengthen healthcare but also to serve as a blueprint for addressing wider development challenges across the continent.

Source: Ohene Amponsah

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As the African Union’s Champion for African Financial Institutions, Mahama will convene a high-level session to introduce the framework.

It seeks to reform global governance systems and improve how nations respond to health and development challenges in a rapidly evolving world.

The Accra Reset proposes replacing outdated global development models with new, inclusive approaches that prioritize resilience, equity, and collaboration.

It aims to move beyond traditional aid systems and create structures that can deliver stronger, faster responses to crises in the post-SDG era.

As part of the launch, Mahama will announce the establishment of a Global Presidential Council made up of Heads of State and Government from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and other regions.

This council will spearhead efforts to implement the Reset’s goals and push for systemic reforms in global health and development.

A High-Level Advisory Panel will also be created to provide technical guidance. This panel will include experts from finance, health, business, and innovation sectors to ensure that recommendations are practical and actionable.

The initiative comes amid concerns about the slow progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A 2023 UN review revealed that fewer than half of the SDGs are on track, with major gaps in areas such as health, inequality, and fiscal stability.

“The era of business-as-usual development is over,” the framework declares, urging a complete reset of global collaboration.

The health sector will be the Reset’s starting point, given its exposure to global shocks and systemic weaknesses.

The initiative builds on commitments made at the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit held in Accra in August 2025 and promotes coalition-based approaches designed to deliver measurable results.

The launch is expected to attract global leaders, heads of multilateral institutions, private sector innovators, philanthropic organizations, and civil society representatives from across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and other regions.

Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, has described the initiative as “a timely and transformative step toward reengineering global cooperation for a stronger, more resilient future.”

Source: Adomonline

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