Mahama pushes 'Accra Reset' at Africa Forward Summit, warns debt is crippling health systems

John Mahama pushed the "Accra Reset" after participating in the Africa Forward Summit on May 13 in Nairobi. Mahama warned that rising debt burdens are undermining investments in healthcare, education, and agriculture. He said Africa cannot achieve "health sovereignty" while a significant share of national revenues is consumed by debt servicing.

President Mahama co-chaired a high-level session on "Rethinking global health and building resilient national health systems," during which he stressed the urgent need for African countries to adopt practical, coordinated measures to strengthen their healthcare systems. He stated, "When a nation spends 50 per cent of its revenue on debt servicing, the capacity to invest in health, education, and agriculture is severely diminished." The "Accra Reset" is described as a framework to build a united African compact capable of delivering meaningful outcomes for citizens across the continent.

President Mahama called for stronger collaboration among governments, the private sector, and international development partners. He stated that the Accra Reset is not designed to isolate African countries from global partnerships, but rather to ensure more strategic and effective cooperation that strengthens national health systems and protects citizens. He added, "The Accra Reset is not about isolationism; it is about working more effectively and strategically with our partners to ensure that our health systems are resilient and our people are protected."