AHF: Ghana and DRC Presidents Call for Regional Health Leadership and Sustainable Financing in Africa at AIDS Conference (ICASA 2025)

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Global Public Health Institute, in collaboration with The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA), will host a High-Level Summit on Regional Health Leadership and Sustainable Financing in Africa immediately following the opening ceremony of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2025) on Dec. 3 in the H.E. John Dramani Mahama room at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Aligned with the Africa CDC’s New Public Health Order and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the summit will unite heads of state from Ghana and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ministers of health and finance, development partners, parliamentarians, civil society, and private sector leaders to advance dialogue and commitment toward a more equitable, self-reliant health future for Africa.

Building on decades of experience in tackling the HIV epidemic, African leaders and global health partners will explore lessons learned from the continent’s HIV response to shape sustainable, inclusive pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response and health financing models.

“Sustainable health financing and regional production are not just political priorities—they are imperatives for Africa’s health security and prosperity,” said Dr. Jorge Saavedra, Executive Director of the AHF Global Public Health Institute. “This Summit underscores the need for bold leadership, innovative financing, and cross-sector collaboration to secure the continent’s health future.”

The summit’s Presidential Fireside Chat will feature H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, and H.E. Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, moderated by Dr. Michel Sidibé, AU Special Envoy for the African Medicines Agency.

The Presidential Fireside Chat will be followed by a ministerial-level dialogue on Sustainable and Innovative Health Financing, featuring Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate (Nigeria), Dr. Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi (South Africa), Hon. Dr. Samuel Roger Kamba (DRC), Hon. Dr. Benjamin Houkpatin (Benin), Dr. Jean Kaseya (Africa CDC), and Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson (Ghana), moderated by Dr. Penninah Iutung, AHF. The session on Leadership, Community, and Science – Regional Production will bring together Dr. Mohamed Janabi (WHO AFRO), Dr. Nicaise Ndembi (IVI), Allan Maleche (KELIN), Dr. Ana Beatriz Amaya (UNU-CRIS), Prof. Morenike Ukpong (SAA), and Dr. Benjamin Djoudalbaye (Africa CDC).

Alongside the summit, AHF will host two engaging fireside chats at its ICASA 2025 exhibition booth.

• Advancing Regional Health Leadership and Sustainable Financing (Thursday, Dec. 4 at 11:45 a.m. GMT at Booth 8): This session brings together public health leaders, advocates, and community partners for a practical discussion on strengthening Africa’s health security through sustainable financing, regional manufacturing, and community action, giving delegates clear, collaborative paths toward a more resilient health future.

• Prevention First – Condoms, STI Control & Balanced Biomedical Messaging (Saturday, Dec. 6 at 12:35 p.m. GMT at Booth 8): Amid rising STI rates worldwide, panelists will explore how to balance biomedical tools such as pre-exposure prophylaxis and treatment as prevention with behavioral strategies, including condom use and community-led awareness, and highlight AHF’s prevention programs and advocacy efforts across Africa.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 2.7 million clients in 50 countries worldwide in Africa, the Americas, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare

The AHF Global Public Health Institute develops and advocates for evidence-based policy change to create a more equitable and effective global health architecture. With a focus on infectious diseases and health systems, our work addresses critical gaps in global health security, equity, governance, law, and finance. The AHF Global Public Health Institute is part of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Visit our website for more information: ahfinstitute.org

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