Addis Ababa, July 22, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Truneh has called on African countries to harness the continent’s knowledge, institutions and experience to build a self-driven health future, stressing the need for political will to translate existing capacities into concrete action.
The Deputy Prime Minister made the remarks during the African Union Extraordinary Summit on Health in Accra, Ghana, where he said the gathering represents a historic opportunity to shape Africa’s health systems based on the continent’s own financial capacity and collective strengths.
Temesgen said Ethiopia shared its experiences and commitment toward advancing Africa’s health agenda, highlighting the country’s approach based on self-reliance as a contribution to shared continental goals.
He noted that while the decline in external aid presents challenges, it also creates an opportunity for Africa to strengthen domestic financing and develop resilient, sustainable and self-reliant health systems.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the summit marks a defining chapter in efforts to craft a continental roadmap aimed at eliminating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as public health threats by 2030, ending preventable maternal and child deaths, and strengthening domestic financing capacity.
He emphasized that Africa already possesses the knowledge, institutions and experience needed to build a strong and self-driven health system, stressing that political will is now critical to turning these resources into practical outcomes.
Temesgen reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the African Union, Africa CDC and member states to advance efforts toward building a healthier and more prosperous Africa.
The African Union Extraordinary Summit on Health, held in Accra, has brought together African leaders and key partners to advance collective action on universal health coverage, strengthen resilient health systems, address major health threats and accelerate progress toward improved health outcomes across the continent.