African policymakers and public sector leaders have convened in Abidjan with a clear message: the continent’s health and governance challenges can only be solved through stronger collaboration and more effective public institutions.
At the opening of the 3rd High-Level Meeting of the Health and Public Service Network of Africa (HaPSNA), Liberia’s Civil Service Agency Director-General, Dr. Josiah F. Joekai Jr., called for deeper partnerships to transform healthcare delivery and public service systems across the continent. He is chairing the two-day summit in his role as head of the continental network.
The meeting brings together representatives from nine countries—Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Senegal, Ghana, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, and Benin—focused on aligning health workforce development with stronger civil service structures.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Joekai highlighted Africa’s vast potential, pointing to its youthful population, natural resources, and expanding opportunities for innovation. However, he cautioned that these advantages can only translate into real progress through capable institutions, skilled public servants, and well-supported health professionals.
He stressed that collaboration and shared learning among African nations are essential to overcoming persistent challenges. According to him, the Abidjan meeting offers a platform to evaluate progress, address gaps, and design practical solutions tailored to the continent’s realities.
Discussions during the summit are centered on key priorities, including strengthening health workforces, modernizing public sectors, improving leadership and governance, advancing digital innovation, and building resilient institutions that can deliver quality services.
Dr. Joekai reaffirmed his commitment to fostering cooperation among governments and institutions, emphasizing the need for a unified approach to improving the lives of citizens across Africa.
Looking ahead, he announced that the next HaPSNA meeting will take place in March 2027, where member states will review progress made on the commitments adopted in Abidjan.
Also addressing the gathering, Dr. Haileyesus Getahun, CEO of the Health Development Partnership for Africa and the Caribbean, underscored the importance of community health workers, describing them as the backbone of primary healthcare. He urged governments to better integrate and fairly compensate these workers within national systems.
The event was officially opened by Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of State for Public Service and Administrative Modernization, Madame Anne Désirée Ouloto-Lamizana, who reaffirmed her country’s commitment to strengthening governance and healthcare across Africa.
The meeting is expected to conclude with a joint communiqué outlining concrete actions and shared commitments aimed at building stronger health systems and more effective public service institutions throughout the continent.
