President John Dramani Mahama arrived in Brazzaville on Thursday morning to join several African heads of state for the formal investiture of President Denis Sassou Nguesso. The ceremony, held at the Palais du Peuple, marks the beginning of a new five-year term for Nguesso, who secured a decisive victory in the Republic of the Congo’s recent presidential elections.
The Ghanaian leader’s visit underscores the strengthening of diplomatic ties between Accra and Brazzaville. The two nations have recently sought closer cooperation in areas of regional security and intra-African trade, with President Mahama noting that his presence at the ceremony reflects Ghana’s commitment to “good neighborliness and a more integrated continent.”
Before departing for the Congolese capital, President Mahama concluded a major domestic engagement in Dodowa on Wednesday. There, he officially launched the Free Primary Health Care Programme, a landmark policy aimed at removing financial barriers to essential health services at the community level. The program is a central pillar of the administration’s “Universal Health Coverage” agenda, designed to shift the focus of the national health system toward preventive care and early detection of chronic illnesses.
The launch event in Dodowa was attended by traditional leaders, health professionals, and residents who gathered to witness the rollout of a policy that the government claims will transform healthcare delivery across 150 districts in its first phase.
President Mahama is expected to hold brief bilateral talks with other visiting dignitaries on the sidelines of the inauguration before returning to Accra later today. Following the conclusion of the official state banquet in Brazzaville, the President will resume his domestic schedule, which includes further oversight of the new healthcare initiative’s nationwide implementation.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
