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0 President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in Brussels to take part in the Global Summit on Health and Prosperity through Immunisation, lending his voice and influence as a prominent advocate for equitable vaccine access.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, June 25, the high-level summit, co-hosted by the European Union, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), seeks to galvanise international support for Gavi’s bold 2026–2030 replenishment strategy.
Mr Mahama, who has long championed vaccine equity and healthcare advancement across Africa, is expected to play a pivotal ambassadorial role at the summit, which aims to secure funding for an ambitious campaign to immunise an additional 500 million children worldwide.
If fully supported, Gavi’s strategy could avert over 8 million deaths and curb up to 150 disease outbreaks globally, delivering more than $100 billion in economic gains over the next decade.
Speaking ahead of his engagements, Mr Mahama highlighted the indispensable role of global solidarity in ensuring universal access to life-saving vaccines, particularly for lower-income nations. .
Drawing on his personal experience as head of state during critical immunisation drives in Ghana and across the African continent, he stressed that a fully funded Gavi would not only save lives but also unleash substantial economic potential and bolster global health security.
This is not the first time Mr Mahama has stood in support of Gavi’s lifesaving work. In 2013, he played a similar advocacy role during a crucial replenishment phase, reinforcing his long-standing commitment to the cause of childhood immunisation and disease prevention.
Since its inception in 2000, Gavi has helped deliver vaccines to over one billion children, preventing an estimated 18.8 million deaths and generating over $250 billion in economic benefits for lower-income countries.
The Global Summit provides a vital platform to reinforce this progress by mobilising renewed commitments from traditional donors, as well as emerging philanthropic and governmental supporters.
While in Brussels, Mr Mahama is scheduled to hold key discussions with influential stakeholders, including the President of the EU Council of Ministers and philanthropist Bill Gates.
These meetings are expected to focus on sustaining momentum behind vaccine equity and expanding international cooperation to reach the most vulnerable populations.
