President Mahama Arrives in Lyon to Co-Chair One Health Summit with Emmanuel Macron | Discuss Ghana

On Easter Monday, April 6, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama arrived in Lyon, France, to begin a high-profile diplomatic mission centered on global health security.

The President was met with a vibrant reception at the airport and his hotel by members of the Ghanaian community in Lyon, who gathered during their Easter holiday to welcome the Ghanaian leader with cheers and traditional displays.

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The One Health Summit: A Global Mandate

President Mahama is set to take a leading role at the One Health Summit, serving as the official Co-Chair alongside French President Emmanuel Macron:

Coordinated Leadership: The two leaders will steer discussions among world leaders, health ministers, and global experts to promote a "multi-sectoral" approach to health—linking the well-being of humans, animals, and the environment.

Pandemic Prevention: A key focus of the Lyon sessions will be the "National Reset" of global surveillance systems to detect zoonotic diseases (diseases jumping from animals to humans) before they become pandemics.

Equitable Access: As Co-Chair, President Mahama is expected to advocate for the decentralization of vaccine manufacturing, pushing for more production hubs across the African continent.

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Bilateral Meeting at the Élysée Palace

Following the conclusion of the summit proceedings on Tuesday, April 7, the President’s itinerary shifts to the French capital:

Paris Bound: President Mahama will travel to Paris for a formal bilateral meeting with President Macron at the Élysée Palace.

Strategic Dialogue: The private talks are expected to cover regional security in the Sahel, French investment in Ghana's 24-Hour Economy, and the implementation of the Green Energy Pact.

Diplomatic Reset: This visit marks the strongest alignment between Accra and Paris in recent years, positioning Ghana as France’s primary strategic partner in West Africa for 2026.

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Presidential Itinerary: France Visit 2026

Date	Location	Activity
April 6 (Monday)	Lyon	Arrival and reception by Ghanaian community.
April 7 (Tuesday)	Lyon	Co-Chairing One Health Summit with Macron.
April 7 (Evening)	Paris	Arrival in the French capital.
April 8 (Wednesday)	Paris	Bilateral Meeting at the Élysée Palace.

“By co-chairing this summit, Ghana is not just participating in the conversation; we are leading the design of a safer, healthier world for the next generation.” — Presidency Statement.