GhArticles.com Every News in Detail
President John Dramani Mahama met with philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on Wednesday, June 25, in Brussels ahead of the Gavi Vaccine Alliance pledging session. The meeting focused on Ghana’s recent strides in healthcare and the broader effort to support global immunization.
According to President Mahama, discussions with Mr. Gates centered on major health interventions in Ghana, including the Free Primary Healthcare programme, the progress of the National Vaccine Institute, and the recent decision to uncap the National Health Insurance Fund to improve access and financing in the health sector.
“I expressed appreciation for the philanthropic work of the Gates Foundation in Ghana and its significant support to the Gavi Vaccine Alliance,” Mahama said in a Facebook post after the meeting.
He also met with José Manuel Barroso, Chair of the Gavi Board, who acknowledged Mahama’s consistent backing of Gavi’s mission to expand global vaccine access. The President emphasized the importance of continued international cooperation and long-term investment in health systems.
“Looking forward to the pledging session and advocating for continued support for Gavi’s life-saving work,” he added.
Gavi is seeking $9 billion in pledges to immunize 500 million children between 2026 and 2030. President Mahama contrasted the value of this global investment with the cost of warfare, noting that one B-2 Spirit bomber costs $2.13 billion equivalent to nearly a quarter of Gavi’s entire fundraising goal.
“It’s a choice between taking lives and saving lives. And I am sure we will choose to save lives,” he concluded.
