President John Dramani Mahama has called for a fundamental shift in how the country views its health sector, urging policymakers to treat healthcare not as a financial burden, but as a critical driver of economic growth.
Speaking at the 2025 Africa Health Sovereignty Summit on Tuesday, Mr. Mahama emphasized that investing in health is key to achieving sustainable national development. He argued that health should be seen as a catalyst for productivity, job creation, and reducing inequality, rather than a drain on national resources.
“Health is not a cost—it is a vital investment that drives inclusive growth and builds resilient economies,” Mahama told the summit, which brought together experts, policymakers, and development partners to discuss Africa’s health challenges and opportunities. "We are not merely reacting to emergencies; we are building systems that reduce inequalities, create jobs, and uphold the dignity of every citizen."
President Mahama further urged Ghana’s economic policymakers to revise national accounting practices to reflect health as a productivity multiplier rather than a consumption expense. He argued that a shift in this perspective would be pivotal for mobilizing long-term funding and encouraging innovation within the health sector.
The president’s comments underscore a growing push for a paradigm shift in how African nations, including Ghana, approach public health, with an emphasis on proactive investments that can drive broader socio-economic transformation.
Health experts and international partners at the summit shared Mahama’s view, stressing the importance of strengthening Africa’s health sovereignty and ensuring that health investments lead to tangible improvements in economic outcomes.
