General
Mahama, Bill Gates discuss Ghana’s health reforms ahead of Gavi pledging session
President John Mahama has revealed details of high-level talks held with philanthropist Bill Gates in Brussels on Tuesday. He said it was focused on Ghana’s health sector interventions and ongoing reforms aimed at expanding access to quality care. The meeting took place ahead of the Gavi Vaccine ...
MyJoyOnline
published: Jun 26, 2025
President John Mahama has revealed details of high-level talks held with philanthropist Bill Gates in Brussels on Tuesday.
He said it was focused on Ghana’s health sector interventions and ongoing reforms aimed at expanding access to quality care.
The meeting took place ahead of the Gavi Vaccine Alliance pledging session, where global leaders and donors are expected to commit financial support to vaccine programmes in developing countries.
In a post on his official Facebook page, Mahama described the engagement as “productive,” highlighting discussions on the Free Primary Healthcare programme, the development of the National Vaccine Institute, and the impact of uncapping the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIS) — a move he said is already improving healthcare access and financing in Ghana.
“These meetings underscore the importance of international collaboration and sustained investment in health systems to build a healthier future for all,” Mahama noted.
He also expressed gratitude to Mr. Gates and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for their continued philanthropic investment in Ghana, particularly through the Gavi Vaccine Alliance, which plays a critical role in immunisation efforts across low- and middle-income countries.
In a separate meeting, Mahama engaged José Manuel Barroso, Chair of the Gavi Board and former President of the European Commission.
According to Mahama, Barroso thanked him for his long-standing support for Gavi’s vaccine replenishment campaigns, which fund the procurement and delivery of life-saving vaccines worldwide.
President Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to championing Gavi’s mission, stating: “Supporting an organisation that is doing such crucial work for global health is always a pleasure.”
The president is expected to participate in the pledging session, where he will advocate for sustained and increased support for Gavi’s work — reinforcing Ghana’s role as both a beneficiary and a global health advocate on the international stage.
