President John Dramani Mahama has identified maternal and child health as a crucial area to test the proposed global reset of the international health architecture. He made this statement at a high-level side event on the Accra Reset: Global Reset Dialogue in New York on September 21, 2026. The event took place on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. President Mahama emphasized that health was chosen as the first battleground for the Accra Reset due to its direct impact on human life.
Maternal and child health will serve as an immediate measure of whether the new financial and governance arrangements can deliver tangible results. According to President Mahama, nearly seven out of ten maternal deaths globally occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ghana's maternal mortality situation remains three times above the recommended Sustainable Development Goal target. President Mahama described this situation as unacceptable. He stressed that the Accra Reset would focus on building systems capable of delivering measurable improvements in the lives of mothers and children.
The President highlighted two initiatives aimed at protecting the lives of mothers and children. The Mother Africa initiative, championed by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and the Business United for Mothers, Babies and Youth (BUMBY) campaign, bring together public policy and corporate responsibility. These initiatives will stress-test the new financial and governance architecture in real-time, delivering measurable results where they matter most. President Mahama's emphasis on health is informed by the need to develop stronger and more resilient health systems in developing countries.
President Mahama argued that greater self-reliance in the Global South should not be viewed as isolationism, but rather as a move towards pragmatic interdependence and equal partnerships. He maintained that stronger, self-reliant Southern partners are not a threat to the Global North. Instead, resilient health systems in Africa and Asia would contribute to global health security. This approach is crucial in ensuring that developing countries can address their health challenges effectively.
The President acknowledged the support of World Health Organisation Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus for global health reform. He appreciated the WHO's efforts to strengthen health systems and promote global health security. President Mahama's call for a global reset of the international health architecture is gaining traction. The Accra Reset aims to address the pressing health challenges facing developing countries.
The high-level side event on the Accra Reset: Global Reset Dialogue brought together world leaders and stakeholders to discuss the proposed global reset. President Mahama's participation in the event underscored Ghana's commitment to global health reform. The Accra Reset is expected to lead to tangible improvements in the lives of mothers and children. The initiative has the potential to transform the global health landscape.
President Mahama's emphasis on maternal and child health is a critical step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The President's call for action on global health reform is timely and urgent. The international community must work together to address the pressing health challenges facing developing countries. By doing so, they can ensure that everyone has access to quality healthcare.
Key points
- President Mahama identifies maternal and child health as a critical test of the proposed global reset of the international health architecture.
- The Accra Reset aims to address the pressing health challenges facing developing countries.
- President Mahama emphasizes the need for stronger and more resilient health systems in developing countries.
