Official News Report | Eye on Western North Digital
Ghana’s Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has been elected Chairman of Commission B at the 79th World Health Assembly, marking a significant leadership role for Ghana on the global health stage.
The 79th World Health Assembly opened in Geneva, Switzerland, on 18 May 2026 at the Palais des Nations. During the opening session, Dr Víctor Elías Atallah Lajam of the Dominican Republic was elected President of the Assembly, with Akandoh named Chair of Committee B alongside Dr Timur Sultangaziyev of Kazakhstan as Chair of Committee A.
Commission B handles the administrative, budgetary, and legal matters of the Assembly. As Chairman, Akandoh will preside over deliberations on WHO’s programme budget, financial oversight, and governance issues that shape the organization’s operations.
The election comes as Ghana continues to push for stronger health financing and sovereignty across Africa. In recent months, Akandoh has been vocal on shifting African health systems away from donor dependence. At the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit in Accra, he urged African nations to invest in robust data systems and prioritize health funding in national budgets, arguing that “health when financed wisely, always pays itself back in productivity, stability and in life”.
He has also represented Ghana at high-level global forums, including a WHO roundtable on health taxes hosted by Michael Bloomberg and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in September 2025, and the 2025 World Health Expo in Accra, where he called for strategic investments in regional pharmaceutical manufacturing and regulatory harmonization.
Back home, Akandoh has overseen the rollout of Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare initiative in 150 underserved districts and the procurement of over 24,000 pieces of medical equipment for health facilities. He has also emphasized accountability in the sector, requiring hospital boards to sign performance contracts with measurable indicators.
President John Dramani Mahama attended the Assembly as Special Guest of Honour and addressed delegates during the high-level welcome. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also addressed the Assembly and presented global health awards.
The Ministry of Health of Ghana released a congratulatory message celebrating Akandoh’s election, noting it as recognition of Ghana’s growing influence in global health governance.
The 79th World Health Assembly runs through the week in Geneva, bringing together health ministers and delegations from WHO’s 194 member states to set global health policy for the coming year.