Calls to be Real to Global Public Health Commitments -EJS Wants Leaders Fix Digital Blind Spot in Health Systems

MONROVIA – Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has been rallying continental leaders and stakeholders in global public health to continue to demand transparency, equity, and partnership in how resources are allocated, so that Africa does not be a passive recipient of global health funds.

Making remarks at Africa Health Sovereignty Summit in Accra, Ghana, August 5, 2025, the World Health Organization goodwill ambassador the forum was and demonstrated commitments were clear signal that Africa will no longer stand at the margins of global health leadership.

“This is our moment to lead, to shape, and to own our future,” she told African leaders and other high ranking international stakeholders, adding that the challenges before us demand African solutions, driven by African resources, African expertise, and African determination.

She said, “We have met here today not because Africa is at a crossroads—but because Africa has already made its choice. The choice to lead. The choice to be self-reliant.

“The choice to build health sovereignty on African terms. But choices are meaningless without action.”

She spoke on three priorities of the action with which leaders and other stakeholders are to start.

First, Madam Sirleaf said, “we must fix the digital blind spot in our health systems. Today, fewer than 30% of African health systems are digitized. This is not just a gap—it is a vulnerability.”

The continent’s first democratically elected female president noted that without digital sovereignty and infrastructure, Africa will remain dependent and reactive, as sovereignty demands that “we control our own health data and systems.”

She emphasized that digital health is no longer a luxury but a necessity, and that “we must invest in training, connectivity, and the digital backbone that will enable Africa to anticipate and defeat outbreaks before they become disasters.”

The former Liberian head of statement said “when we build digital systems, we are not only building technology—we are building opportunities for young Africans to innovate, to lead, and to drive this transformation.”

Second, she spoke of support for the Pandemic Fund that she said was critical and must work for Africa.

According to the Iron Lady, the Pandemic Fund has provided essential resources, but Africa’s needs are vast and growing.

“I urge all African countries to continue seeking its support, but also to demand transparency, equity, and partnership in how these resources are allocated,” she further noted, adding that Africa must not be a passive recipient of global health funds.

“We must be architects of how these resources are designed and delivered,” Madam Sirleaf urged colleagues at the forum. “The Fund must not become another bureaucracy. It must be a tool that empowers countries to act swiftly and decisively.”

The former Liberian leader’s third point was a call for the re-energization of the Abuja Declaration and to get serious about financing “our own health future”.

She expressed regret that only three countries have consistently met the 15% target, and that is not good enough.

“We must go beyond Abuja—not just in commitments, but in innovative actions,’ she said. “Solidarity levies, diaspora bonds, and targeted taxes are practical options that can mobilize hundreds of millions annually. Africa has the means.”

Madam Sirleaf further called for the exercise of political will by leaders, stressin, “It is time for every African government to match their ambitions with real, measurable investment in health.”

She wants leaders and stakeholders to also be reminded that women are central to this conversation—not as beneficiaries, but as leaders, caregivers, and frontline defenders of our health systems.

According to her, women’s unique experiences—as mothers, community health workers, scientists, and policymakers—place them at the heart of building resilient, responsive, and inclusive health systems.

“Africa’s health sovereignty will not be achieved without the full leadership and participation of its women,” she emphasized. “Friends, these are not abstract ideas. They are choices. If we want sovereignty, if we want to protect our people, if we want to stop begging every time a crisis hits, then we must act differently. Africa’s health future will not be given. It will be claimed—by us, through bold action.”

She concluded by saying that her proposals were not abstract ideas but are choices to be made.

“If we want sovereignty, if we want to protect our people, if we want to stop begging every time a crisis hits,” ,” Madam Sirleaf said, “then we must act differently. Africa’s health future will not be given. It will be claimed—by us, through bold action.”