President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana delivered a moving and deeply personal address at the Gavi Replenishment Conference in Brussels, urging world leaders and donor countries to sustain and expand their commitments to global immunisation efforts.
The conference, held under the theme “Global Health and Prosperity through Immunisation,” saw the Ghanaian leader call for urgent collective action to protect the lives of millions of children across the globe.
Opening his speech with a powerful personal story, President Mahama recalled how one of his younger brothers was crippled by polio during their childhood.
“He lived with the stigma of his disability for many years, and eventually he was driven into depression and became an alcoholic. He died from alcohol poisoning, and I now look after the two children he left behind. So I understand what life-saving vaccines are.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
With emotion in his voice, President Mahama reflected on the stark contrast between that era—when vaccines were nearly inaccessible in many parts of Africa—and the present, where Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has transformed the global immunisation landscape.
“The rest of us who grew up healthy and are here today were the lucky ones.Today, Gavi has changed all that and is giving hope to millions of children.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
GAVI’s Impact
President Mahama praised Gavi’s impact in Ghana, revealing that the country has achieved an impressive 97% immunisation coverage in partnership with the Alliance.
“But it means that another three per cent is missing. We’re working hard to find those 65,000 children who are in remote areas that are difficult to reach. And I know that working with Gavi, we will be able to find those children and also give them a life-saving vaccine.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
Highlighting Ghana’s middle-income status, the President explained that the country co-finances its vaccine programs with Gavi, adding that in recent years, Ghana has contributed nearly $67 million toward vaccines in this partnership.
President Mahama also underscored the critical importance of domestic financing, announcing that one of the critical decisions his administration has taken was to uncap the National Health Insurance Fund to ensure sustainable financing for healthcare.
“The previous government had put a cap on the statutory fund of the national health insurance. So, excess funding above a certain percentage of the budget went back into the consolidated fund.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
Saving from Policy Shift
This policy shift, President Mahama noted, has enabled a GHS 3.5 billion allocation to the fund, making way for Ghana to front-load $20 million this year alone to support its co-financing obligations with Gavi.
Looking ahead, President Mahama expressed hope that Ghana would complete its transition out of Gavi’s financial support by 2030 and eventually become a donor country itself.
“We’re working hard to be like Indonesia. In the future, we want to support Gavi as donors—not just as recipients. It’s a journey of national growth and global responsibility”.
HE President John Dramani Mahama
As the conference turned its focus to Gavi’s ambitious goal to raise $9 billion to immunise 500 million children between 2026 and 2030, President Mahama delivered a stinging critique of global spending priorities.
“I did some research, which reveals that one B-2 Spirit bomber—which recently dropped bombs on Iran—costs $2.13 billion. What Gavi is seeking is the cost of four of those bombers.
“Surely, the world can afford the value of four B-2 bombers to save 500 million children. It’s a choice we have to make—between taking lives and saving lives, and I’m sure that we will save lives instead of taking them.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama ended his speech with a heartfelt thank you to the donor countries that had pledged new support at the conference.
“We appreciate and are proud of your partnership. On behalf of the children of Ghana and the millions around the world whose lives depend on our choices, I say thank you. God bless you.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
The President’s remarks were met with warm applause and admiration from global health leaders, policymakers, and development partners.
President Mahama’s speech served as a clarion call, reminding the international community that the future of humanity hinges not on weapons of war, but on the quiet power of a simple vaccine.
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