Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Health, Grace Ayensu Danquah, has been appointed as a Secretariat Member of the African High Level Ministerial Committee (AHLMC), a key African Union initiative focused on reforming global health systems to better serve Africa.
Her appointment, announced in a letter dated April 13, 2026, and signed by Jean Kaseya of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, follows a decision by the AU Assembly at its 39th Ordinary Session. The committee is tasked with strengthening Africa’s voice in global health governance and advancing more equitable and effective health systems.
As part of the Secretariat, Dr Ayensu Danquah will support strategic and technical efforts across areas such as health governance reform, sustainable financing, equitable access to healthcare, resilient health systems, and data accountability. The Secretariat, led by Africa CDC and supported by member states including Ghana and South Africa, plays a central role in coordinating high-level engagements and implementing reforms.
A board-certified surgeon and public health policy expert, she has been instrumental in Ghana’s health sector, contributing to initiatives aimed at expanding access to care and aligning national policies with regional frameworks. She is also the Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress.
Her appointment reinforces Ghana’s position in shaping continental health policy and aligns with the broader healthcare agenda of President John Dramani Mahama, which prioritises health system strengthening, preventive care, and universal access.
Dr Ayensu Danquah brings extensive international training and experience, including medical degrees from institutions such as University of Wisconsin–Madison and University of Southern California, as well as a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. She also contributes to healthcare delivery through her NGO, Healing Hands Organisation, which provides free medical services to underserved communities.
Officials say her expertise and leadership are expected to play a significant role in advancing reforms aimed at creating a more inclusive and responsive global health architecture.
Source: 3news
