Kwabena Mintah Akandoh calls for country-led health systems at Berlin summit

Ghana’s Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has called for a fundamental shift in global health governance, advocating for country-led health systems rather than aid-dependent models. Speaking at the World Health Summit 2026 in Berlin, Germany, the Minister emphasized that true health resilience requires nations to take ownership of their healthcare infrastructure through robust domestic financing and local leadership. This call to action aligns with the broader "Accra Reset" initiative championed by President John Mahama, which seeks to foster national dignity and solidarity in health delivery.

During his address, Mr. Akandoh highlighted Ghana’s proactive steps toward achieving this self-reliance, noting that domestic investment is the most sustainable path to universal health coverage. He pointed to specific national programs such as the Free Primary Healthcare initiative and the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund as key pillars of this strategy. These mechanisms are designed to provide sustainable funding and access to essential services while reducing the volatility and fragmented priorities often associated with international donor funding.

The Minister urged international partners and global stakeholders to move beyond traditional aid frameworks and instead collaborate on redefining global health priorities for a more resilient future. He argued that international support should be restructured to empower national systems rather than creating parallel structures that undermine local authority. This approach, he noted, is essential for building a global health architecture capable of withstanding future pandemics and ensuring that no country is left behind during a crisis.

As Ghana continues to implement the Accra Reset agenda, Mr. Akandoh's remarks set a clear direction for the country's health policy under the current administration, focusing on long-term sustainability and sovereign control over health outcomes. The Minister's presentation in Berlin serves as a signal to the international community that Ghana intends to lead its own health transformation, inviting partners to support a vision of healthcare that is locally driven and domestically funded.