Mahama sets up 18-member panel to advance Africa-led global health reforms

President John Dramani Mahama has announced the establishment of a high-level panel under the Accra Reset Initiative, a flagship African-led programme designed to reshape global health governance and strengthen economic sovereignty across the continent.

The initiative, which is being coordinated through the Accra Reset Chancery, brings together an 18-member panel made up of distinguished global leaders, policymakers, and health experts. The panel has been tasked with developing practical and forward-looking proposals aimed at reforming the global health architecture to better reflect the needs and priorities of African nations and the wider Global South.

The panel will be co-chaired by prominent international figures, including Peter Piot, El Hadj As Sy, Nísia Trindade, and Budi Gunadi Sadikin. These leaders bring extensive experience in global health policy, governance, and international development.

According to organisers, the panel has been mandated to deliver concrete and actionable recommendations that will help transform the current global health system. The initiative seeks to address longstanding concerns that countries in the Global South are often treated as passive participants, rather than active decision-makers influencing policies that directly impact their populations.

To ensure broad collaboration and global input, the panel’s work will be supported by a High-Level Consultative Group comprising major international institutions. These include the World Health Organization, World Trade Organization, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the International Finance Corporation. This structure is expected to provide a platform for coordinated engagement and alignment between global and regional stakeholders.

The panel also includes several other notable figures such as Muhammad Ali Pate, John Nkengasong, and Soumya Swaminathan, all of whom bring significant expertise in public health and international health systems.

In addition, Michel Sidibé has been appointed as Special Advisor and Envoy to the co-chairs. His role will involve supporting the panel’s strategic direction and contributing his extensive experience in global health diplomacy and institutional reform.

The Accra Reset Initiative represents a significant step toward redefining Africa’s role in global health decision-making. By prioritizing equity, inclusion, and self-determination, the initiative aims to ensure that African countries and other developing regions have a stronger voice in shaping policies, funding mechanisms, and institutional frameworks that govern global health systems.