Mahama holds talks with Bill Gates, Gavi Chair before vaccine summit

President John Dramani Mahama has held high-level bilateral meetings in Brussels ahead of a critical pledging session for the Gavi Vaccine Alliance, as global leaders and donors gather to mobilize support for expanded immunization efforts worldwide.

Among the key engagements, Mr. Mahama met with the Chair of the Gavi Board, José Manuel Barroso, who commended the former Ghanaian leader for his steadfast support of Gavi’s mission over the years.

The Gavi Board Chair acknowledged President Mahama’s continued advocacy for vaccine equity and highlighted the significance of his involvement in the upcoming pledging session.

In a separate meeting, Mr. Mahama met with renowned philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to discuss Ghana’s ongoing health sector developments.

The discussions focused on the country’s Free Primary Healthcare program, the work of the newly established National Vaccine Institute, and recent reforms to strengthen the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), including the removal of the cap on the NHIS fund.

Mr. Mahama expressed appreciation for the Gates Foundation’s long-standing support of Ghana, particularly in health, education, and agricultural development. He also acknowledged the foundation’s strong partnership with Gavi, which continues to play a vital role in Ghana’s immunization programs. The bilateral discussions are taking place ahead of Gavi’s replenishment conference, where international partners are expected to make financial commitments to ensure the continued delivery of vaccines in lower-income countries.