Mahama heads to France for global health summit, Macron talks

President John Dramani Mahama is set to embark on an official visit to France, where he will participate in high-level global health discussions and hold bilateral talks with French leader Emmanuel Macron.

According to a statement from the Presidency, the visit, scheduled for Monday, April 6, 2026, is at the invitation of President Macron and will see Mr Mahama attend the 2026 One Health Summit in Lyon before travelling to Paris for official engagements.

At the summit, President Mahama is expected to play a prominent role, co-chairing the high-level segment alongside President Macron. The gathering will bring together heads of state, health ministers and global experts to deliberate on key issues affecting global health systems, food sustainability and coordinated responses to emerging health threats.

The President will deliver two keynote addresses during the summit. The first will focus on global health architecture and will be delivered at a session co-chaired by President Macron and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization. Discussions at that meeting are expected to centre on reforms to global health systems and the adoption of a political declaration aimed at strengthening international cooperation.

His second address will be delivered at the opening of the high-level segment for heads of state, where he is expected to outline Ghana’s position and commitments on global health security.

Beyond the summit, President Mahama will undertake a series of diplomatic engagements in Paris, including a bilateral meeting with President Macron at the Élysée Palace on Wednesday, April 8.

The talks are expected to focus on deepening Ghana–France relations, with discussions covering sectors such as health, education, trade, investment and regional security.

Ahead of the bilateral meeting, President Mahama will also meet Gérard Larcher at the French Senate, as part of efforts to strengthen parliamentary and institutional ties between the two countries.

The visit underscores Ghana’s growing role in global policy discussions, particularly in the area of health diplomacy, and highlights the government’s efforts to position the country as a key player in international cooperation initiatives.

President Mahama is expected to return to Accra after completing his engagements in Paris.