Ghana has secured a significant voice in global health governance following the appointment of Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah to the Secretariat of the African High-Level Ministerial Committee (AHLMC), a flagship African Union initiative tasked with reforming the global health architecture.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah, who serves as Deputy Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress, will play a strategic role in advancing Africa’s influence in global health decision-making.
Her appointment was confirmed in a letter dated April 13, 2026, signed by Dr Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, following a decision by the AU Assembly at its 39th Ordinary Session in February 2026.
The AHLMC was established to consolidate Africa’s position in global health governance and push for a system that is more equitable, coordinated, and responsive to the continent’s needs. The Secretariat, led by Africa CDC and supported by member states including Ghana and South Africa, provides technical, strategic, and operational backing to the committee’s work.
Driving Africa’s Health Priorities
As a Secretariat member, Dr Ayensu-Danquah is expected to contribute to key reform areas, including health governance, sustainable financing, equitable access to healthcare, and the development of resilient health systems. The committee is also prioritising data systems and accountability to ensure more effective health outcomes across the continent.
A board-certified general surgeon and public health policy expert, Dr Ayensu-Danquah brings a wealth of experience spanning trauma, burns, and reconstructive surgery, alongside years of leadership in Ghana’s health sector.
Her appointment places Ghana at the centre of Africa’s renewed push to reshape global health systems and amplify the continent’s collective voice on critical health issues.
Boost for Ghana’s Health Agenda
The development aligns with the broader health policy direction under President John Dramani Mahama, which emphasises health system strengthening, preventive care, and regional collaboration.
The government has outlined ambitious reforms aimed at improving public health financing, restoring confidence in the National Health Insurance Scheme, and expanding access to primary healthcare, particularly in underserved communities.
A key pillar of this agenda is the Free Primary Healthcare policy, designed to accelerate Ghana’s progress toward Universal Health Coverage by 2030. Complementing this is the Ghana Medical Health Trust, a flagship initiative to mobilise sustainable funding for critical healthcare delivery, infrastructure, and specialised treatment.
Authorities have also pledged to deepen Ghana’s role in continental and global health governance, supporting initiatives that promote equitable access to medicines, local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and stronger disease surveillance systems.
Experience Backed by Global Expertise
Dr Ayensu-Danquah’s professional background underscores her new continental role. She holds medical degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the University of Southern California, as well as a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
She maintains active medical licences in multiple U.S. states and runs a private surgical facility in Accra. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Surgery at the University of Utah’s Center for Global Surgery.
In Ghana, she has contributed to national health policy through roles including membership on the Food and Drugs Authority’s Technical Advisory Committee on the Safety of Vaccines and Biological Products.
Beyond public service, she leads the Healing Hands Organisation, a non-governmental initiative providing free medical and surgical care to underserved communities while supporting rural health facilities with essential equipment.
A Strategic Appointment
Dr Kaseya noted that her experience and leadership at both national and continental levels would “greatly enrich the work of the AHLMC Secretariat” and support efforts to drive meaningful reform in global health systems.
Her appointment not only reflects confidence in her expertise but also signals Ghana’s growing influence in shaping Africa’s health future at a time when global health systems are under increasing scrutiny.