Member of Parliament for Lambussie, Prof. Titus Kofi Beyuo, has called on African governments to strengthen their health sovereignty by investing in their own healthcare systems, protecting national health data, and negotiating international health agreements from a position of unity and strength.
According to him, true sovereignty in health governance can only be achieved when African nations are able to care for their citizens without relying heavily on foreign assistance.
“We must be willing to fund our own healthcare. We must take pride in being able to care for our pregnant women, children, and the most vulnerable in society without depending on donor support,” he stated.
Also read: Africa must define its own future without external pressure – Eswatini Senate President
Speaking on the second day of the 4th African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Sovereignty, and Values on Thursday, Prof. Beyuo said Africa must take greater responsibility for financing healthcare and reducing dependence on external donors.
He warned that excessive dependence on external funding could undermine Africa’s autonomy in setting health priorities and determining healthcare policies.
“He who pays the piper determines the tune,” he remarked, urging African governments to pursue self-determined healthcare systems that reflect the continent’s needs and values.
The legislator emphasized that Africa’s vision for health sovereignty should be rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu, which promotes solidarity, mutual respect, and collective responsibility.
He explained that the health of an individual is inseparable from the health of the wider community.
According to him, African traditions place a premium on consultation, dignity, harmony, and communal support, values he described as essential for building inclusive, responsive, and resilient healthcare systems.
Addressing challenges within the global health governance system, Prof. Beyuo argued that decision-making structures are often influenced by actors whose interests may not align with African realities.
He observed that African countries frequently find themselves as recipients of health policies rather than active architects of the global health agenda.
The MP also expressed concern about international funding arrangements that may come with conditions capable of limiting the policy independence of African states.
He urged African governments to carefully scrutinize international agreements, particularly those involving health financing and data management, to ensure they do not compromise national sovereignty.
Prof. Beyuo advocated a united continental approach to health negotiations, saying African countries must speak with one voice on issues affecting public health and healthcare financing.
“Collaboration among African nations will amplify our influence and strengthen our bargaining power in global health institutions,” he said.
He called for greater African representation in international health bodies and demanded increased transparency and accountability in global health partnerships.
The lawmaker encouraged African governments to invest in local expertise, medical research, innovation, and healthcare infrastructure to reduce reliance on external actors.
As a practical example of Africa’s growing push for health sovereignty, Prof. Beyuo referred to the Accra African Health Sovereignty Summit convened by President John Dramani Mahama in August last year.
He said the summit produced the “Accra Reset,” a framework aimed at shifting African healthcare systems from dependency to self-determination.
According to him, the initiative seeks to empower African nations to define their own health priorities and strengthen local healthcare delivery systems.
Prof. Beyuo urged policymakers across the continent to embrace courage, wisdom, and solidarity in reforming global health governance and securing better health outcomes for future generations.