The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Assembly of Health Ministers concluded its 27th ordinary session in Freetown on April 25, 2026, with major decisions set to shape the region’s health sector.   

The outcome was disclosed on the organisation’s official social media platforms on Tuesday, highlighting major resolutions reached after two days of deliberations among health ministers from member states across West Africa.

According to the statement, ministers endorsed a regional framework for malaria elimination, providing a unified strategy to accelerate efforts to eliminate malaria as a major public health threat in the region.

It added that the assembly also adopted the Freetown Charter, which sought to accelerate reductions in maternal, newborn, and child mortality through strengthened political commitment and coordinated regional interventions.

“The assembly reaffirmed its collective commitment to advancing sustainable and resilient health financing across ECOWAS Member States.

“Ministers reviewed the 2025 Annual Report of the West African Health Organization (WAHO), taking stock of progress made in regional health security and cross-border surveillance,” it said.

According to the statement, the report highlighted persistent challenges affecting the performance and impact of health interventions, including inefficiencies in programme delivery and gaps in reaching vulnerable populations across the region.

“Particular emphasis was placed on the need to improve efficiency in programme delivery and ensure resources reach communities most at risk,” it said.

It added that delegates called for stronger accountability mechanisms to monitor health spending, track outcomes, and ensure that commitments made by member states translated into measurable improvements in healthcare delivery.

“The session stressed the importance of enhanced domestic resource mobilisation in a context of declining external funding for health.

“Deliberations underscored the urgency of intensified, coordinated regional action to address malaria as a major public health priority.

“Ministers also reinforced broader efforts to improve health outcomes and build more resilient health systems capable of withstanding shocks,” it said.

The session concluded with the adoption of a final report and official communiqué, presented by a representative of Ghana’s Minister of Health, outlining key decisions, strategic directions, and commitments by member states.

(NAN)