By Humu Shaibu
President John Dramani Mahama arrived in Lyon on Monday to a warm reception from the Ghanaian community, signaling the start of a high-profile diplomatic mission aimed at reshaping the global health landscape.
The President is in France at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron to co-chair the 2026 Global One Health Summit. The arrival, which took place on Easter Monday, marks the beginning of a three-day official visit that will see Ghana take center stage in international discussions on pandemic preparedness, food security, and environmental health.
A Leadership Role on the World Stage
President Mahama is scheduled to co-chair the High-Level segment of the summit alongside President Macron on Tuesday. The gathering brings together world leaders, health ministers, and global experts to address the “One Health” approach a strategy that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
According to a statement from the Presidency, Mahama will deliver two pivotal keynote addresses. The first will focus on “Global Health Architecture,” co-chaired by President Macron and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The second will outline Ghana’s specific commitments to global health security.
”This summit is our moment to lead, not only in financing our systems but also in reshaping the rules that govern global health,” President Mahama stated ahead of the event.
The ‘Accra Reset’ and African Sovereignty
A key highlight of the summit is expected to be the endorsement of the “Accra Compact.”
This initiative, championed by President Mahama under the “Accra Reset” banner, advocates for a reimagined global health governance framework that reflects the needs of developing nations and ensures African health sovereignty.
The summit aims to finalize a roadmap for international health cooperation, focusing on:
Zoonotic Diseases: Preventing the spillover of viruses from animals to humans.
Sustainable Food Systems: Ensuring nutrition and safety in global food chains.
Antimicrobial Resistance: Tackling the rising threat of drug-resistant infections.
Diplomatic Ties and Bilateral Talks
Following the conclusion of the summit in Lyon, the President will travel to Paris on Wednesday, April 8, for a bilateral meeting with President Macron at the Élysée Palace.
The two leaders are expected to discuss strengthening Ghana-France relations, with a focus on education, trade, investment, and regional security in West Africa.
President Mahama is also scheduled to hold talks with the President of the French Senate, Gérard Larcher, to bolster parliamentary cooperation between the two nations.
Looking Ahead
The outcomes of this summit are expected to feed into France’s G7 Presidency later this year. For Ghana, the visit underscores its growing influence in global health diplomacy.
President Mahama is expected to return to Accra following the conclusion of his diplomatic engagements in Paris.
