Making Health Work for Western and Central Africa: High-Level Launch of a Strategy to Transform Vision into Impact

AGENDA – MAY 4^th, 2026

Registration and Light Breakfast

Opening Ceremony – Moderated by Ms. Anita Erskine, CEO Erskine Communications

8:45 – 8:50

Welcome participants & introduction, Ms. Anita Erskine

8:50 – 9:00

Welcome Remarks, Honorable Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health of the Republic of Ghana

9:00 – 9:05

Welcome Remarks, Dr. Robert R. Taliercio, World Bank Group Division Director

9:05 – 9:10

Scene setting video

9:10 – 9:25

Presentation of the Strategy, Dr. Rifat Hasan, World Bank Group Practice Manager, Health, Nutrition and Population (HNP)

10:00 – 10:05

National anthem upon the President’s arrival

10:05 – 10:15

Introductory Remarks, Dr. Mamta Murthi, World Bank Group Vice President, People

10:15 – 10:35

Keynote Address, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of The Republic of Ghana; by Honorable Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff, The Republic of Ghana

10:35 – 10:45

Family photo and press

10:45 – 10:50

National anthem upon the President’s departure

10:50 – 11:20 | Tea Break

CNBC Africa live broadcast Fireside chat – Moderated by Ms. Zinathi Gquma, CNBC Africa Business News Anchor

11:30 – 12:00

Panelists:

– Dr. Mamta Murthi, World Bank Group Vice President, People

– H.E. Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Honorable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria

– H.E. Dr. Austin Demby, Honorable Minister of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone

Ministerial Panel – Moderated by Ms. Anita Erskine

12:00 – 12:35

Frontlines First

Discuss how countries can build a strong health workforce, equip service‑ready facilities, and overcome demand barriers to deliver a universal, high‑quality, affordable RMNCAH+N package

Panelists:

1.     H.E. Dr. Ibrahima Sy, Honorable Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Senegal

2.     H.E. Dr. Pierre Somsé, Honorable Minister of Health, Central African Republic

3.     H.E. Dr. Austin Demby, Honorable Minister of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone

12:40 – 13:15

Fixing Finance

Discuss the dual imperative on countries to “spend better and more”

Panelists:

1.      H.E. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Honorable Minister of Finance, Liberia

2.     Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, Chief Executive Officer, National Health Insurance Authority

3.     Prof. Awa Marie Coll-Seck, President, Galien Africa

13:20 – 13:55

Future Fit

Discuss how countries and their partners can invest and build systems that can deliver quality care during times of crisis, resilient to 21st century risks

Panelists:

1.      H.E. Abdelmadjid Abderahim Mahamat, Honorable Minister of Public Health and Prevention, Chad

2.     H.E. Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, Honorable Minister of Health, The Gambia

3.     H.E. Mr. Fugence Likassi-Bokama, Commissioner, Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC)

14:00 – 15:00 | Lunch Break

Roundtable – Moderated by Ms. Anita Erskine

15:00 – 15:40

Private Sector and AIM2030

Discuss private sector engagement in health service delivery and the AIM2030 initiative to boost local pharmaceutical manufacturing and strengthen supply chains in Africa

Panelists:

1.      H.E. Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Honorable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria   

2.      Dr. Delese Mimi Darko, Inaugural Director General, The African Medicines Agency (AMA)

3.      Ms. Sarah Ockman, Advisory/Upstream Manager, Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services, IFC

4.      Mr. David Klutse, COO, Pharmanova Group/Atlantic Life Sciences

Roundtable – Moderated by Ms. Anita Erskine

15:45 – 16:30

Partners

Exchange lessons to better harmonize development efforts for health, align it with national priorities, and support regional and global public goods

Panelists:

1.      H.E. Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto, Minister of Health, Liberia

2.     Dr. Monique Vledder, Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population, WBG

3.     H.E. Hiroshi Yoshimoto, Japan Ambassador to Ghana & Liberia

4.     Dr Edem Adzogenu, Co-Founder and CEO/Co-Chair of the AfroChampions Initiative

16:30 – 16:50 | Tea Break

Simultaneous Sessions | 17:00 – 17:30

17:00 – 17:30

Youth Ignite Talks, moderated by Dr. Fatoumata Barry, World Bank Group HNP

Speakers:

1.      Dr. Emmanuelle Katie Obou, Head of Gynecology service at Sikensis Hospital, and founder of Maya AI tool for adolescent health information access, Cote d’Ivoire

2.      Ms. Gifty Boahemaa Appea, GFF young leader, Program advocate, Youth Advocates Ghana (YAG), Ghana

17:00 – 17:30

Event Statement preparation

Chaired by Honorable Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health of the Republic of Ghana

17:30 – 17:50 | Closing

17:30 – 17:40

Reading of Event Statement

Honorable Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health of the Republic of Ghana

17:40 – 17:50

Closing remarks by Ms. Trina Haque, World Bank Group Regional Practice Director, People

–        END     –