LYON, France – Addressing the One Health Summit 2026 on Tuesday, April 7, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama delivered a stark warning: the world is facing an “overwhelming surge of health threats across borders” affecting humans, animals, and plants alike. His prescription? Three urgent calls to action designed to move the global community from rhetoric to reality.

“The period of declarations must come to an end. The moment for coordinated effort is here, and let us start from Lyon.”
— President John Dramani Mahama

Here is what the President demanded of world leaders.

1. Move From Commitment to Action

President Mahama’s first call was unambiguous: global leaders must prioritise implementation over pledges. He insisted that One Health strategies must be embedded directly into national development agendas and aligned with a broader global public health framework.

“Let us connect our One Health strategies for our national development agendas to a new global framework for public health,” he urged, adding that international security systems must also fully adopt the One Health approach.

The underlying force intensifying all global risks, he said, is climate change. Mahama linked the phenomenon directly to infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and disruptions to food systems — arguing that the time for talking has expired.

2. Build a “Preventive Shield” With Smart Surveillance Systems

The President’s second call focused on prevention through strength. He stressed the need for robust early warning mechanisms anchored at the community level, describing them as the strongest defence against future pandemics.

“Let us concentrate on building a new preventive shield and an intelligent radar system at its source,” Mahama said.

He added that such systems must be “smart, dynamic, agile and interoperable” to ensure efficiency and avoid unnecessary bureaucracy. Drawing from Ghana’s experience, he noted that prevention is not only more effective but also far more cost-effective than cure — pointing to Ghana’s rollout of the Medical Trust Fund and primary healthcare programmes as domestic examples.

3. Address Global Inequality in Resources and Access

The President’s third call tackled the unacceptable imbalance between risk and resources. He described the current situation as indefensible: the countries most at risk have the least capacity to cope.

“This must change,” Mahama stressed, calling for fair access to financing, technology, data, and innovation.

He warned that plastic pollution is poisoning all ecosystems and demanded stronger international action to deal with the crisis. On broader equity, he made a forceful case for Africa’s place in the global order:

“A healthy and thriving Africa is no threat to anyone. It will be a positive force for global progress.”

Mahama also noted that Africa’s traditional knowledge systems already embody the One Health concept. “In Africa, our lived experience leads us to accept without question that human survival, animal well-being, and environmental care form a single interconnected system,” he said.

Lyon as the Turning Point

Referencing past outbreaks — including COVID-19, Mpox, Lassa fever, and Marburg — Mahama said the world has yet to fully adapt. Each crisis has highlighted the importance of the One Health approach, yet global systems remain slow to respond.

He urged leaders to demonstrate stronger political will in addressing fragmented systems.

“Let Lyon be the turning point,” he declared.

The summit, hosted by France under its G7 Presidency, has brought together global leaders and experts to advance coordinated action on the interconnected health of humans, animals, and ecosystems.

Mahama concluded with a direct challenge to his fellow leaders:

“The decisions we make at this summit will shape the future of global health security… let us ensure that they result in tangible, measurable outcomes for our people and our planet.”

Happy Wednesday! We are bringing you the most relevant and impactful stories from Ghana for your enjoyment and awareness. Stay informed.

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Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Stay informed with today’s front pages of Ghanaian newspapers, all in one place.