World Bank launches strategy to transform West, Central Africa's health systems

The World Bank launched a regional strategy to transform health systems on Monday in Accra. The strategy aims "to unify frameworks and strengthen collaboration, helping countries to prioritise and make strategic shifts within constrained fiscal space to ensure the sector's resilience."

The conference was opened by the Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah, and attended by health and finance ministers from across the region, ambassadors, and development partners. The strategy, called "Fit to Prosper: Investing in health for jobs and development in Western and Western Africa," aligns with the Accra Reset Agenda, the Lusaka Agenda, and the World Bank Group's commitment to universal health coverage. Mr. Debrah said that the occasion was "a pivotal moment in the shared mission to reframe health not as a cost to be managed but as the most powerful engine of economic transformation available to the continent." He also lauded the World Bank for its US$4.4 billion commitment across 24 active operations in over 20 countries plus US$340 million in co-financing. Ms. Mamta Murthi stated that West and Central Africa accounted for 33% of global child deaths, 44% of maternal deaths, and nearly 60% of all malaria deaths.

Ghana will soon launch a Country Compact with the World Bank Group, co-led by the ministries of health and finance. The compact will be anchored in clear priorities, measurable targets, and sustainable domestic financing.