President John Dramani Mahama is hosting African leaders in Accra for the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, with discussions centred on expanding universal health coverage and stepping up the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and other major public health challenges across the continent.

The two-day summit, which is taking place from July 21 to 22, 2026, has brought together Heads of State and Government, ministers responsible for health, finance and foreign affairs, officials of the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities, development partners, civil society organisations, youth representatives and private sector participants.

The meeting is on the theme: "Advancing Justice, Equity and Universal Health Coverage: Ending AIDS, TB, Improving Maternal Health, Addressing Endemic Non-Communicable and Neglected Tropical Diseases and Conditions in Africa."

A statement issued by the Presidency on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, and signed by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the summit would review Africa's response to public health challenges and adopt measures aimed at expanding access to healthcare across the continent.

The statement said the summit is being held in two phases. On July 21, 2026, experts from member states met to prepare technical reports and recommendations for ministers and Heads of State.

The Assembly of Heads of State and Government will meet on July 22, 2026, to consider and adopt decisions, including a declaration to speed up the implementation of the African Union Roadmap to 2030.

According to the Presidency, Ghana's hosting of the summit reflects the country's role in advancing discussions on healthcare in Africa and President Mahama's efforts to widen access to health services.

The statement cited a number of government initiatives, including the Free Primary Health Care Programme, the removal of the cap on National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) funding to increase access to health services, and the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as MahamaCares, to support healthcare financing.

It added that the government is investing in health infrastructure, training more health professionals, improving emergency preparedness and expanding local pharmaceutical manufacturing to strengthen the country's health sector.

As part of the summit, a side event on maternal, newborn, child and adolescent survival will be held under the leadership of the African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, in partnership with the Accra Reset initiative.

The Government of Ghana welcomed Heads of State, delegates and other participants to the summit and said it would continue to work with the African Union and member states to improve healthcare delivery across the continent.