Mahama Meets Macron to Deepen Ghana-France Trade Relations Ahead of UNGA80

As part of efforts to strengthen Ghana-France trade, bilateral and diplomatic ties, President John Dramani Mahama met with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, September 23, in New York, ahead of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80).

In a Facebook post after the meeting, President Mahama stated: “Strengthening Ghana-France trade, bilateral and diplomatic relations. Good meeting with @emmanuelmacron on the sidelines of #UNGA80.” The engagement underscored Ghana’s commitment to expanding economic cooperation and reinforcing diplomatic relations with France.

Earlier, at a gathering of African heads of state and government convened by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Mahama stressed Ghana’s determination to achieve health sovereignty through practical policy steps. He highlighted the passage of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Act, which provides sustainable financing for non-communicable disease treatment, the establishment of a National Vaccine Institute with GH₵75 million in seed funding, and plans to roll out a free primary health care program to make essential care universally accessible.

Mahama also noted that Ghana has restored GH₵33.5 billion (about US$300 million) to health funding by uncapping the National Health Insurance levy, while the recent Accra Compact and Accra Reset Agenda aim to transform global health governance with Africa as a co-convener and co-designer of solutions. He emphasized that these initiatives reflect the political will to make health sovereignty achievable, positioning Ghana as a hub for vaccine research and manufacturing in West Africa.