The African Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, has called for stronger collaboration among African countries to tackle persistent health challenges. Speaking during a meeting with Ghana’s Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Dr. Janabi praised Ghana’s Accra Reset Initiative as a bold step to strengthen national health systems.
Dr. Janabi warned that without coordination among Africa’s 47 countries, efforts such as vaccine production could become fragmented. He cited the continent’s rapid containment of the Ebola outbreak in August as evidence of the power of coordinated action.
Minister Akandoh emphasized that Ghana’s health reforms will be country-owned, highlighting the importance of local resource mobilization and mutually respectful partnerships. Dr. Janabi also commended the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Mahama Care, as a landmark initiative supporting financial access to care for chronic and non-communicable diseases.
He affirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Ghana while urging continued continental cooperation for effective health care delivery.