Mahama honours invitation by WHO Chief to address World Health Assembly

President John Dramani Mahama is addressing the World Health Assembly in Geneva at the invitation of WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Mahama disclosed the development in a post on X on Monday morning, indicating that he had arrived in Switzerland ahead of the keynote address.

“At the invitation of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, I will deliver the keynote address to the World Health Assembly this morning,” the President wrote.

According to him, he was received at the airport by Dr Tedros together with Mrs Nane Annan, wife of the late former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Mahama said Mrs Annan also took him on a tour of the Kofi Annan Lounge at Geneva Airport, a facility dedicated to the memory of the late Ghanaian diplomat.

“At the airport, Mrs Nane Annan, the wife of the late UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, joined Dr Tedros to welcome me and took me on a tour of the Kofi Annan Lounge at Geneva Airport, a space dedicated to the memory of the former Ghanaian diplomat,” he stated.

The President’s address comes at a time the World Health Organization is intensifying efforts to respond to multiple global health concerns, including Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

The WHO is also monitoring a rise in youth-targeted nicotine pouch use and tracking cases of hantavirus in some regions as part of broader global health surveillance measures.

Officials say Mahama’s speech at the assembly is currently underway, with further updates expected later in the day.

The World Health Assembly remains the highest decision-making body of the WHO and brings together health leaders, policymakers and government representatives from across the world to discuss major international health priorities.

Mahama’s participation places Ghana among countries contributing to discussions on global healthcare systems, disease control and international health cooperation.