The Ghanaian leader is participating in the Global Summit on Health and Prosperity through Immunisation, co-hosted by the European Union, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and GAVI. The summit seeks to mobilise support for GAVI’s 2026-2030 strategy, which targets vaccinating 500 million more children, preventing 8 million deaths and mitigating 150 disease outbreaks, yielding over $100 billion in economic benefits.
President Mahama, a longtime champion of immunisation, emphasised the importance of global solidarity in ensuring equitable vaccine access, particularly for lower-income nations. "A fully funded GAVI will save lives, boost economies, and fortify global health security," he stated. This is not his first advocacy for the cause. In 2013, he played a pivotal role in rallying support for GAVI’s life-saving initiatives. Since its inception in 2000, GAVI has immunised over a billion children, averted 18.8 million deaths, and contributed $250 billion in economic gains to vulnerable nations.
During his visit, President Mahama will engage with key stakeholders, including European Council President and philanthropist Bill Gates, to reinforce commitments to global immunisation. Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu confirmed his engagements, underscoring Ghana’s continued leadership in advancing global health equity.
